Blood in the urine
What should I do if I have blood in my urine?
If you notice blood in your urine this is known as visible (macroscopic) haematuria.
In some cases, the amount of blood in the urine is so small that it is invisible to the naked eye and is only picked up when a urine test is carried out. This is known as non-visible (microscopic or dipstick) haematuria. Non-visible haematuria is very common and most patients are unlikely to develop any serious disease.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults with visible haematuria and 1 in 12 with non-visible haematuria will be found to have bladder cancer.
Therefore, blood in the urine, whether visible or non-visible, should always be investigated by a specialist urologist.
Mr Malde provides a fast track service for the investigation of haematuria in both men and women in his specialist private urology clinics across London.
Why might I have blood in my urine?
The most common cause of blood in the urine is a urinary tract infection. However, there a number of other conditions that can lead to blood in the urine. These include:
Kidney or bladder stones
Urethritis – inflammation of the water pipe (urethra) that may be due to a sexually-transmitted infection
An enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
Bladder, kidney or prostate cancer
Trauma (injury) to the urinary tract
Kidney inflammation
Medications (such as anticoagulants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories)
Strenuous exercise
How we can help you
Mr Malde offers a rapid and comprehensive assessment for both men and women with blood in their urine.
The assessment includes a detailed medical history and a thorough physical examination including examination of the prostate in men. Further urology tests will include blood tests, specialist urine tests to look for signs of infection, protein levels and cancerous cells, an ultrasound and CT scans and an inspection of the inside of the bladder with a small, flexible telescope (cystoscopy) which can be performed under general or local anaesthetic. The specific treatment recommended to you will depend on the underlying cause.
Same-day appointments can be booked through his specialist private urology clinics across London.