Blood In Urine

When and where to get medical help

If you think you have blood in your pee, you need to get it checked, even if there's only a small amount or you're not sure it's blood.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you have blood in your pee or think you may have blood in your pee

Blood in your pee may be bright pink, red or dark brown.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Cancer risk

Blood in your pee must be checked out because it can be a sign of cancer. Cancer may be easier to treat if it's found early.

What happens at your appointment

If you have blood in your pee, a GP will ask about your symptoms and may need to check inside your bottom (rectal examination) or your vagina.

They might also:

ask you for a pee sample or arrange a blood test
prescribe antibiotics if they think you have an infection
refer you to a specialist for tests

Causes of blood in urine

Blood in your pee could come from anywhere in the urinary tract - the bladder, kidneys or urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body).

If you have other symptoms, this might give you an idea of the cause. But do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you think it's blood in your pee.

When it might be something else

It may not be blood in your pee if:

you've recently eaten beetroot - this can turn your pee pink
you're taking a new medicine - some medicines can turn pee red or brown
you're bleeding from your bottom instead
it's happening during your period
you're bleeding from your vagina between periods

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: S - Sciatica & Butt Pain.
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