Blood in your urine, medically known as hematuria, can occur for a variety of reasons, many of them not a cause for medical concern. However, especially for women who have finished menopause, it’s important to determine the cause of this symptom as soon as possible. Blood in urine after menopause may indicate underlying health issues that require further evaluation.
If your urine appears to contain blood, don’t wait. Reach out to board-certified urogynecologist Dr. Kristin M. Jackson and the team at Advanced Urogynecology of Maitland, Florida, as soon as possible for evaluation, diagnosis, and care.
Once you’ve completed menopause and haven’t had a menstrual cycle in at least one year, your health risks change. Menopause involves significant hormonal shifts. Menopause occurs for most women at some point in their 50s, meaning that you're also dealing with increased health risks related to aging.
Dr. Jackson emphasizes that vaginal bleeding in women after menopause isn’t normal, although vaginal bleeding before menopause is a monthly occurrence. If you’ve completed menopause and notice vaginal bleeding, you need a professional evaluation for medical problems. Check to see if the blood in your urine may originate from your vagina, and contact Dr. Jackson right away if that’s the case.
Several conditions can cause blood to appear in your urine. Here are some common causes of postmenopausal hematuria.
This type of infection occurs when bacteria enter the urethra, the tube that allows urine to exit your bladder. Women have a shorter urethra than men, which explains the higher incidence of UTIs in women.
If you have a UTI, you may feel strong urges to urinate or experience pain or burning sensations when you pee. Your urine may appear pink, red, or brown, and may be accompanied by a strong odor.
You can develop a kidney infection if bacteria travel to your kidneys through your bloodstream or if bacteria enter through the ureter tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder. A kidney infection is similar to a UTI and causes similar urinary symptoms, including signs of blood in the urine. If you have a kidney infection, you’re also likely to suffer from pain in your side, back, or groin, and you may also start to run a fever.
Kidney or bladder stones form from crystallized minerals present in your urine. The minerals accumulate within your kidneys or bladder until they form together into hard stones. Stones cause pain when they block your urinary tract or remain in your body.
Kidney and bladder cancer can cause visible blood in the urine in advanced stages. This is one of the reasons why you shouldn’t delay getting checked out for blood in your urine.
Some inherited illnesses result in the symptom of blood in the urine. Sickle cell anemia affects your red blood cells and can cause blood in your urine. Alport syndrome, which damages blood vessels in your kidneys, may also result in visible blood when you pee.
This condition may be hereditary or may be caused by an autoimmune disorder or a structural issue with your bladder. You suffer from frequent urination, reduced urinary output, bladder pain, and pelvic pain, as well as blood in your urine.
The cause of your urinary symptoms may be the medicines you take to maintain your health, rather than a disease or infection. Medications that could contribute to blood in your urine include:
Additionally, Phenazopyridine, a medication prescribed for urinary tract symptoms, can turn your urine red in color. While not related to bleeding, it could be easily mistaken for it.
Your diet and exercise routine can cause urinary symptoms. Some foods, such as rhubarb or beets, can cause your urine to turn red. You can also bring on hematuria with heavy exercise.
When you notice blood in your urine, the first step is to determine the cause of this symptom. Once you know the reason, you and your urogynecology team can plan your treatment.
For help with blood in your urine, contact Dr. Jackson at Advanced Urogynecology. Schedule your appointment over the phone today.
