Be Clear on Cancer: Blood in Your Pee

Blood in urine (pee) isn't usually caused by anything serious but you must get it checked out by a GP.

See a GP if you notice blood in your urine, even if:

• you don't have any other symptoms
• it's only happened once
• there's only a small amount of blood
• you're not sure it's blood

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

What happens at your appointment

The GP will ask about your symptoms and may need to examine your bottom (rectum), or vagina if you're a woman.

They might also:

• ask for a urine 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 urine 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. Don't self-diagnose – see a GP if you think it's blood in your urine.

Other symptoms                                                                             

Burning pain when peeing, need to pee often, smelly or cloudy pee, high temperature (fever), pain in sides or lower back

Possible cause: urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Very bad pain in sides, lower back or groin that comes and goes, unable to lie still, feeling sick                

Possible cause: kidney stones

Older men (common in over-50s) finding it difficult to pee, needing to pee suddenly and often, waking up to pee in middle of the night                

Possible cause: enlarged prostate

Call 111 If you can’t speak to your GP or don’t know what to do next.

For more information visit: www.nhs.uk/bip