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uk Health & medical scares blood in urine • blood in pee • red urine • pink urine • urinary pain • painful urination • burning when peeing • stinging when peeing • pee hurts • dysuria • visible hematuria • new hematuria • urinary tract symptoms • suspected uti • cystitis symptoms • possible kidney stone • flank pain and blood in urine • urgency to pee • frequent urination • lower abdominal pain peeing • blood clots in urine

What to do if…
you have new urinary pain and see blood in your urine

Short answer

Get urgent same-day medical advice. If you have heavy bleeding/clots, cannot pass urine, have severe side/back pain, or feel very unwell (for example with fever or shaking chills), go to A&E (call 999 if you cannot get to hospital safely).

Do not do these things

  • Do not ignore visible blood in your urine, even if it happens once or the pain settles.
  • Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s antibiotics.
  • Do not “flush it out” by forcing large amounts of water quickly (drink normally).
  • Do not hold your urine to “save a sample” if you’re in pain or desperate to go.
  • Do not take extra/stacked doses of painkillers because you’re panicking.
  • Do not stop prescribed medicines (including blood thinners) without medical advice.
  • Do not assume it’s “just cystitis” if you’re male, pregnant, immunosuppressed, have kidney disease, or symptoms are severe.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency red flags (act immediately if any apply).
    Go to A&E urgently if you have any of these:
    • You cannot pass urine (or only a few drops)
    • Heavy bleeding, blood clots, or rapidly worsening bleeding
    • Severe one-sided back/flank pain (especially with nausea/vomiting)
    • You feel very unwell (for example fever, chills/rigors, confusion, fainting, severe weakness)
    • Recent significant injury to your back/abdomen
      If you cannot get to hospital safely, call 999.
  2. If no red flags: still get urgent same-day help.
    • Ask your GP for an urgent appointment today, or use NHS 111 (online or phone) for direction to the right service (urgent treatment centre / out-of-hours GP).
  3. Make it easier to be assessed quickly (without making yourself worse).
    • If you’re comfortable and don’t urgently need to go, try not to empty your bladder right before you leave in case they want a urine sample.
    • If you need to pee, go—don’t delay in pain. Just tell the clinician you may not be able to provide a sample immediately.
    • Write down: when it started, urine colour (pink/red/brown), any clots, burning/pain level, urgency/frequency, lower tummy pain, side/back pain, fever/shivers, pregnancy possibility, recent vigorous exercise or injury.
    • Have a medicine list, especially blood thinners (for example warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban) and any recent antibiotics.
  4. While you’re waiting to be seen (safer comfort steps).
    • Drink normal fluids (avoid dehydration; do not force excess).
    • Avoid alcohol until you’ve been assessed.
    • For pain, paracetamol is a common first option for many people if you can take it. Follow the label. If you have liver disease, are pregnant, take other medicines that may contain paracetamol, or you’re unsure what’s safe, ask a pharmacist/clinician.
    • Be cautious with ibuprofen/other NSAIDs if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer history, asthma that’s affected by NSAIDs, are on blood thinners, or you’re unsure—check with a clinician/pharmacist first.
  5. Escalate faster if you’re higher-risk.
    Use 111/GP same day (or A&E if worsening) if you are: pregnant, a child or teenager, male with new urinary symptoms, have a single kidney, kidney disease, recent urological surgery/procedure, are immunosuppressed, or take blood thinners.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out the cause right now.
  • You do not need to start supplements, cranberry products, or “cleanses”.
  • You do not need to decide about referrals/tests now—focus on being assessed and following the next instruction you’re given.

Important reassurance

Seeing blood in urine is alarming, but it can have many causes, including treatable ones. Getting checked promptly is the safest way to avoid missing anything that needs urgent treatment.

Scope note

This guide covers first steps for the next few hours. After assessment, you may be given antibiotics, pain relief, tests, imaging, or referral—follow the plan you’re given and seek re-assessment urgently if symptoms worsen.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you become more unwell, develop fever/shaking chills, severe pain, clots, or trouble passing urine, treat it as urgent and use emergency services.

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