What are the Causes of Bleeding after Urinating

The presence of blood during or after urination is termed as hematuria. This can be symptomatic of several conditions, including infection, inflammation, or injury to the urinary system. The exact diagnosis usually depends on your sex, age, and medical history. Surprisingly, all of us secrete some blood in our urine without being aware of it. It is estimated that healthy individuals have almost one million red blood cells in their urine each day. However, the condition is diagnosed as hematuria only when there are visible (or near-visible) traces of blood. The root cause of any hematuria lies with the urinary tract, whose major organs are the kidneys, as they are responsible for filtering all our blood and producing the urine. Next, the ureters carry the urine to the bladder, where it is stored until discharge (urination). Finally, a narrow hollow tube called the urethra takes the urine outside the body. In general, microscopic hematuria is traced to the kidneys, while visible hematuria can usually be traced back to ureters, bladder, or urethra.

Causes of Hematuria

Perhaps the most common causes for hematuria in people below 40 are kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Kidney stones are crystalline bodies that form in the kidneys and sometimes block the ureters, causing pain and hematuria. If your doctor diagnoses kidney stones, ensure that you drink plenty of water and juices. This will prevent the formation of any new stones, and will help you pass out the existing ones. You will even have to take some painkillers to ease the discomfort. When it comes to hematuria due to urinary tract infections, women are particularly vulnerable since they are more likely to suffer such an infection. Fortunately, most bacterial and fungal infections can be easily treated using prescription medication.

Women can also suffer from dysfunctional uterine bleeding, which is due to a hormonal imbalance. If left untreated, it can lead to irregular menstrual bleeding. For men, prostate cancer is a major concern after the age of 40 and any blood in the urine should be reported to a doctor immediately. A prostrate exam will usually confirm or dismiss cancer as a cause of hematuria. In addition, male genitalia are considered to be part of the urinary tract. Hence, any medical condition or physical trauma can lead to visible blood in the urine. In general, it is strongly recommended to visit your doctor if you observe any symptoms of hematuria to avoid any complications that could damage the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract.