Blood in urine: when to see a doctor and what to expect at a urology appointment

Pink, red, or brown urine can be alarming, especially when there is no pain and the colour looks normal again the next time you go. The short answer is: visible blood in urine should be discussed with a doctor promptly, even if it happened only once, the amount seemed small, or it has now disappeared.

Blood in urine may be related to an infection, a urinary stone, the prostate, kidney disease, an injury, or another cause. Colour alone cannot reliably identify the source. If there are clots and you cannot pass urine, fever with chills and side pain, collapse, marked weakness, or rapid deterioration, do not wait for a routine appointment.

This article expands the urology section of our guide to the signals your body sends. It can help you choose a next step, but it cannot replace an assessment or individual medical advice.

What does blood in urine mean?

The medical term for blood in urine is haematuria, spelled hematuria in American English. It has two main forms:

• visible or gross haematuria: urine looks pink, red, or brown, or contains streaks of blood or clots;
• microscopic haematuria: urine looks normal, but red blood cells are found during laboratory testing.

Only a small amount of blood is needed to change urine colour, so the shade does not show how serious the cause is. A dipstick test can indicate blood, but the finding may need confirmation with urine microscopy or a repeat sample. According to the 2025 update to the AUA/SUFU microhematuria guideline, the next step should reflect the result, symptoms, and individual risk factors rather than being the same for everyone.

Blood in urine: when to see a doctor

Do not postpone medical advice because there is no pain or the urine has returned to its usual colour. Contact a GP, urologist, or available medical service promptly. The same applies if:

• there is burning, urgency, or pain in the lower abdomen, side, back, or groin;
• you can see blood clots in urine;
• the problem returns after treatment for an infection;
• blood was found during a laboratory or preventive urine test;
• you take anticoagulants or other medicines that affect clotting.

The Czech Urological Society notes that haematuria can occur with infections, stones, and cancers. This does not mean a serious diagnosis is the most likely explanation. It means that the cause cannot be safely identified without an assessment.

Seek same-day medical advice

Contact a doctor on the same day or use an urgent care service if the blood occurs with:

• fever, chills, or shaking;
• side or lower back pain, especially with nausea or vomiting;
• sudden severe pain that may spread towards the groin;
• difficulty urinating, a very weak stream, or a feeling that the bladder is not empty;
• rapidly worsening symptoms or blood after an injury to the back, side, abdomen, or pelvis.

Earlier assessment is also advisable during pregnancy, with a weakened immune system, or with significant kidney disease. Do not start leftover antibiotics from a previous illness on your own.

When to call 155 or 112 in Czechia

Call emergency medical services if you cannot pass urine at all and your bladder feels painfully full, or if blood or clots occur with collapse, fainting, confusion, marked weakness, unbearable pain, or rapid deterioration. A sudden complete inability to urinate is an emergency. OpenMedical is not an emergency or urgent care service.

What causes blood in urine?

Blood in urine is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It can occur with a urinary tract infection or because of a urinary stone. Burning, frequent urges, and pressure in the lower abdomen may point towards infection, while a stone is more often associated with severe pain in the side, back, or groin. Neither pattern confirms a diagnosis on its own.

In men, the source may also be related to the prostate, especially when the urine stream changes or the bladder feels incompletely emptied. Kidney disease, a recent injury or procedure, and unusually strenuous exercise can also play a part. Medicines that affect clotting may make bleeding more apparent without necessarily explaining its source, so prescribed treatment should not be changed without speaking to a doctor.

Less common but important causes include cancers of the bladder, kidney, prostate, or another part of the urinary tract. This is why blood in urine without pain still deserves assessment: the absence of pain does not show whether the cause is harmless.

Red urine is not always blood

Some foods, colourings, medicines, and very concentrated urine can change urine colour. Menstrual blood can enter a sample, and the source may also be vaginal or rectal bleeding rather than the urinary tract.

Tell the clinician if you recently ate beetroot, started a new medicine, or are menstruating. If you are unsure of the source or the change returns, do not rely on your own visual assessment. A correctly collected or repeat sample may be recommended.

What may be useful before the appointment

A short description of what happened will usually help the clinician. Useful details include:

• when and how often the change appeared, its colour, and any clots;
• whether blood appeared at the beginning, end, or throughout urination;
• burning, urgency, pain, temperature, chills, nausea, or weakness;
• any change in urine flow and whether you can empty the bladder;
• a recent infection, injury, procedure, catheter, or intense exercise;
• menstruation, other bleeding, or a possible pregnancy;
• previous stones, infections, kidney disease, or prostate problems;
• all medicines and supplements, and current or previous smoking.

If the clinic requests a urine sample, it can also advise you about the container, timing, and collection method. For a broader overview, see How to prepare for a doctor's appointment.

Should you see a GP or a urologist?

For stable symptoms, you can start with a GP or directly with a urologist, depending on availability and the local care system. A GP can assess your general condition, arrange urine and blood tests, and decide whether referral is needed. A urologist specialises in the urinary tract and, in men, the prostate.

If you are unsure which specialty is appropriate, either can be a first contact. Acute care is appropriate when warning signs are present. The Urology page describes options available through the OpenMedical partner network.

What happens during an assessment?

The clinician will usually ask about the timing and appearance of the blood, other symptoms, medicines, previous infections or stones, procedures, injuries, smoking, and medical history. Depending on the situation, the assessment may include:

• urine dipstick testing and microscopy, with culture if infection is suspected;
• a repeat sample to confirm the result;
• blood tests, including kidney function and a blood count;
• ultrasound, CT, MRI, or other urinary tract imaging;
• cystoscopy, which uses a thin instrument to examine the urethra and bladder;
• nephrology or another targeted assessment.

Not everyone needs every test. The extent depends on the type of finding, symptoms, and individual risk. At the end, it is useful to know when the results will be ready, who will explain them, and which changes should prompt earlier contact.

What is not enough on its own

Urine colour and online photographs cannot identify the cause. Nor is it safe to assume that the problem has resolved because the colour changed after drinking more water. Leftover antibiotics may not match the actual cause, and anticoagulants should not be stopped without speaking to a doctor.

Blood in urine: frequently asked questions

Is blood in urine always a sign of cancer?

No. Common possibilities include infection, stones, and other urinary tract or kidney conditions. Cancer is one cause that may need to be excluded; colour and pain cannot identify the diagnosis.

Is painless blood in urine dangerous?

A painless episode is not a reliable sign of a harmless condition. Discuss visible blood with a doctor promptly, even if it happened once and disappeared.

What if blood was found only on a dipstick test?

A dipstick is a screening test. A clinician may request a correctly collected sample, microscopic confirmation, or a repeat test before choosing the next step.

Can blood in urine appear after exercise?

Haematuria can occur after exceptionally strenuous exercise. Visible blood should still be reported, especially if it persists, returns, followed an injury, or occurs with pain.

Can I see an English-speaking urologist in Prague?

Yes. Before booking, confirm the clinic, consultation language, payment route, whether a referral is required, and whether you should bring a urine sample or previous records. OpenMedical can help coordinate a urology appointment within its partner network.

A simple next step

If the next step still feels unclear, contact OpenMedical. We can help make the path to appropriate care in Prague simpler and easier to navigate.

Sources and editorial basis

Sources checked on 2026-08-18.

• Czech Urological Society: Haematuria
• Czech Urological Society: Blood in urine may indicate infection, urinary stones, or bladder cancer
• NIDDK: Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)
• Journal of Urology: Updates to Microhematuria — AUA/SUFU Guideline (2025)
• NHS: Blood in urine
• NIDDK: Urinary retention
• NIDDK: Symptoms and causes of kidney stones
• VZP ČR: Basic chemical urine testing
• Public Administration Portal: Emergency calls