Medical disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.
Medically reviewed by Jack Bruder, MD, board-certified urologist, Luzato Medical Group. Reviewed September 2026.
Blood in your urine, known medically as hematuria, is never something to ignore. It may be visible as pink or red urine, or so faint it shows up only in a lab test. While the cause is often benign, blood in the urine can also be an early sign of a serious condition, so it should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Seeing red-tinged urine is understandably alarming, and that alarm is useful because it prompts a visit that can catch problems early. Here is what hematuria is, what commonly causes it, and when to see a urology doctor.
What exactly is hematuria?
Hematuria simply means blood in the urine, and it comes in two forms. Cleveland Clinic explains that “gross hematuria” is visible to the naked eye and can turn urine pink or red, while microscopic hematuria involves an amount of blood too small to see, detectable only under a microscope.
Both forms matter. Even microscopic hematuria, often discovered during a routine urinalysis, can warrant follow-up to understand its cause. This is a topic the urology team at Luzato Medical Group evaluates regularly for patients across New York City.
What are the most common causes?
Most causes are treatable, and many are not dangerous. Cleveland Clinic lists frequent causes of hematuria as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder stones, an enlarged prostate, and chronic kidney disease.
Vigorous exercise, certain medications, and even some foods can also temporarily change urine color. However, because the list of possible causes also includes bladder, kidney, prostate, and other urinary-tract cancers, guessing at the cause is not safe. Only a proper evaluation can tell benign causes apart from serious ones.
Can blood in the urine ever be an emergency?
It can be. Blood in the urine that comes with severe flank or abdominal pain, fever, an inability to urinate, or the passing of large clots should be treated as urgent, and you should seek immediate care. Even without those features, visible blood should be assessed promptly. Cleveland Clinic advises contacting a healthcare provider if the water in your toilet looks pink or red after you urinate.
Why does hematuria need a professional evaluation?
Because the same symptom can point to very different conditions. A single episode of visible blood, or a repeated microscopic finding, deserves a structured work-up rather than a wait-and-see approach. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH) notes that hematuria can be caused by conditions ranging from infections and stones to kidney disease and cancer, which is why testing is used to pinpoint the source.
A urologist can order the right combination of tests to identify the cause accurately, offering reassurance when the finding is benign and enabling early treatment when it is not.
When should you see a urology doctor in NYC?
See a urology doctor promptly any time you notice visible blood in your urine, even once, and follow up if a routine test finds microscopic blood. Do not wait for the symptom to return, and do not assume it was “just a UTI.” Early evaluation is the single most valuable step you can take. The board-certified urology team at Luzato Medical Group provides confidential, thorough evaluations for men and women throughout Manhattan and New York City.
How is the cause diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically begins with a review of your history and a urinalysis, and may include additional imaging or a look inside the bladder when appropriate. The goal is to find the source, not to jump to conclusions. Because visible blood in the urine can be intermittent, it is important to be evaluated even if it seems to have stopped.
Frequently Asked Questions
I saw blood in my urine once and it went away. Do I still need to be checked?
Yes. Visible blood in the urine should be evaluated even if it happens only once and then stops, because the cause can be intermittent and still important.
Could blood in my urine just be from exercise or a food I ate?
Strenuous exercise, some foods, and certain medications can affect urine color, but you should not assume that is the cause. A provider can confirm and rule out other explanations.
Is microscopic blood in urine serious if I feel fine?
It can still be significant. Microscopic hematuria is often found on routine tests in people without symptoms, and it may warrant follow-up to identify the cause.
What are the most common causes of hematuria?
Common causes include urinary tract infections, kidney or bladder stones, an enlarged prostate, and kidney disease, though cancers of the urinary tract are also possible, which is why evaluation matters.
When is blood in the urine an emergency?
Seek immediate care if it comes with severe pain, fever, large blood clots, or an inability to urinate.
Which type of doctor evaluates blood in the urine?
A urologist specializes in the urinary tract and is the appropriate specialist to evaluate and diagnose the cause of hematuria.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic, “Hematuria (Blood in Urine)”; NIDDK (NIH), “Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)”; Mayo Clinic, “Blood in urine (hematuria): Symptoms & causes.”
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.
In a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Yurany
Dubb
