The medical term for the condition of blood in urine is ‘hematuria.’ Women may suffer from blood in urine due to simple causes such as use of certain medicines or as a symptom of some severe underlying disease.
It may be noted that old, inefficient, and dead red blood cells do get passed out from the urine on a daily basis. However, when abnormal levels of RBCs are found in urine, then it can be regarded as hematuria. Blood in urine in females can be of two types:
- ‘Gross’ hematuria wherein the blood is visible to the naked eye. In this, the urine may be pinkish or reddish due to presence of blood.
- It may be noted that urine color can also change to reddish due to harmless causes like consumption of beet, blackberries, rhubarb, or other fruits or due to use of vitamins C or B. In this case, hematuria is usually not the cause.
- ‘Microscopic’ hematuria, wherein blood in urine can only be detected during a urinalysis or a urine sample investigation under a microscope.
Symptoms accompanying blood in urine in females
The symptoms that accompany blood in urine in females often tend to be associated with the underlying causative condition of hematuria. A few common symptoms include:
- Cloudy urine
- Burning sensations when passing urine
- Pain during urination
- Fever, sometimes with chills
- Weakness
- Increased exhaustion or fatigue
- Loss of weight
- Appetite loss
- Smelly urine
- Swollen feet, hands, ankles
- Facial swelling
- Nausea, vomiting
- Increased urination frequency
- Pain in the sides
- Dizziness
Causes of blood in urine in females
Women may experience blood in urine due to the following causes:
- Urinary tract infection: UTIs are one of the most common causes of blood in urine in females. It occurs due to infection of the urinary tract by bacteria and other germs. Proliferation of the pathogens can damage the blood vessels in the tract as well as the surrounding tissues and result in bleeding. This can then eventually cause hematuria in affected women.
- UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics, painkillers, and other medicines. Doctors may also suggest certain self-care and personal hygiene guidelines as well as lifestyle and diet changes to prevent the reoccurrence of urinary tract infections.
- Kidney and bladder stones: Uric acid, oxalates, calcium and other minerals present in concentrated urine tend to crystallize into small stones over a period of time. These stones can damage the tissues of the kidneys, bladder, and other renal structures which can result in bleeding. Female patients may subsequently suffer from blood in urine. Kidney and bladder stones can be removed with therapies like shock wave therapy or with medications or surgery.
- Kidney infections: Different kidney diseases often cause hematuria in affected women as a symptom. Kidney infections usually occur due to the spread of a pre-existing urinary tract infection to the kidneys. Dysfunction of the glomeruli, which is the filtering membrane of the kidneys, may also result in blood in urine in females.
- Sickle cell anemia: It is a genetic condition marked by presence of sickle-shaped abnormal red blood cells in the bloodstream. Due to their unusual shape, the RBCs are unable to supply proper levels of oxygen across the body, thereby reducing their efficiency. Such abnormal RBCs regularly get removed from the body along with urine, thereby causing hematuria.
- Sexually transmitted diseases: Another common cause of blood in urine in females is STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc. STDs are usually accompanied by a foamy vaginal discharge in addition to change in urine color. Consult a doctor for relevant treatment.
- Medications: Use of drugs like aspirin, penicillin, anticoagulants, blood thinners, and certain laxatives can also cause blood in urine in females. Use of cyclophosphamide the anti-cancer medicine is another cause. Consult a doctor for different medication if hematuria is regular.
- Cancer: Different types of cancers that affect the urinary system such as uterus cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, etc., as well as growth of tumors or cysts in the tract can result in blood in urine in women. The cancers and tumors tend to damage the surrounding tissue and blood vessels and cause bleeding. This later causes hematuria in affected females.
- Intense exercising: Strenuous workouts coupled with dehydration can sometimes result in a temporary case of hematuria in women. The precise cause of this is unknown, but it is believed that the condition may be triggered due to running, breakdown of RBCs during aerobic workouts, and minor bladder damage caused by vigorous exercise regiments. Drink lots of water and keep the body hydrated to prevent blood in urine. Consult a doctor if hematuria is regular.
- Trauma: Minor trauma to the kidneys, bladder, or other tissues of the urinary system due to motor accidents or falls, etc. can result in bleeding in the tract. This can then lead to blood in urine in affected women. Seek immediate medical attention in case of regular or serious hematuria.
- Pregnancy: If blood in urine occurs during pregnancy, especially when accompanied by hypertension, then affected women need to seek immediate medical attention to prevent any health complications to the unborn child and themselves.
