Men’s health topics are important to discuss with a doctor, but for many men it is difficult to have these conversations with their health care provider. Washington University urologic surgeons answer questions about hematuria.
Hematuria is blood in the urine. Heme means blood, and uria is blood. There should not be any blood, proteins, glucose (sugar) or ketones in the urine.
Hematuria can be caused by many different benign and severe medical conditions.
Hematuria can be caused by kidney stones, urinary tract infections, prostatic enlargement, urinary tract strictures and other benign conditions.
Painless gross hematuria is concerning for urinary tumors. It is important to study the urinary tract for kidney and bladder tumors.
Gross hematuria means that the blood is visible to the naked eye. Most people with gross hematuria have a definable cause of the blood in the urine.
Microscopic hematuria means that the blood is not visible to the naked eye. Only a small percentage of men with microhematuria have a major urologic problem. The likelihood of having a problem that requires treatment is dependent on the amount of blood in the urine under a microscope.
About 1 in every 5 people with micro hematuria could have an urologic condition that requires intervention or regular monitoring.
Cystitis is a diagnosis of an inflammatory process involving the bladder. Acute cystitis is a short-term condition, and it is most often secondary to a urinary tract infection.
Hematuria is never normal. However, some people with medical renal disease (primary kidney insufficiency) have chronic, low grade microscopic hematuria.
Washington University Urology can provide options and treatments for hematuria. Meet our specialists below.
Arnold Bullock, MD
Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor in Urology