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us 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 • bladder infection 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 same-day medical evaluation. If you’re passing clots, can’t pee, have severe side/back pain, or have fever/chills or feel very unwell, go to the ER or call 911.

Do not do these things

  • Do not ignore visible blood in urine, even if it happens once.
  • Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s antibiotics.
  • Do not try to “flush it out” by chugging 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 or repeated doses of pain medicine because you’re panicking.
  • Do not stop prescribed medicines (including blood thinners) without clinician advice.
  • Do not assume it’s a simple UTI if you’re male, pregnant, immunocompromised, have kidney disease, or symptoms are severe.

What to do now

  1. Decide if this is an emergency right now.
    Go to the ER or call 911 if you have any of the following:
    • You cannot urinate (or only a few drops)
    • Heavy bleeding, blood clots, or rapidly worsening bleeding
    • Severe one-sided back/flank pain (especially with nausea/vomiting)
    • Fever, chills, shaking, confusion, fainting, severe weakness
    • Recent significant injury to your abdomen/back
  2. If no emergency signs: still get same-day care.
    • Call your primary care clinician for an urgent visit today, or go to an urgent care that can do a urine test and start treatment if needed.
    • If you can’t be seen quickly, symptoms are worsening, or you feel unsafe at home, go to the ER.
  3. Help the clinician act quickly (without making yourself worse).
    • If you’re comfortable and don’t urgently need to go, try not to urinate right before leaving in case they want a sample.
    • If you need to pee, go—don’t delay in pain. Tell them you may not be able to provide a sample immediately.
    • Note: when it started, urine color (pink/red/brown), any clots, burning/pain level, urgency/frequency, lower abdominal pain, side/back pain, fever/chills, pregnancy possibility, recent hard exercise or injury.
    • Bring a medication list, especially blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, etc.) and any recent antibiotics.
  4. While you’re waiting (safer comfort steps).
    • Drink normal fluids (avoid dehydration; don’t force excess).
    • Avoid alcohol until you’re assessed.
    • For pain, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often a common first option for many people if they can take it. Follow package directions, and avoid taking multiple products that contain acetaminophen. If you have liver disease, heavy alcohol use, are pregnant, or you’re unsure what’s safe, ask a clinician/pharmacist.
    • Be cautious with NSAIDs (ibuprofen/naproxen), especially if you have kidney disease, ulcers/GI bleeding history, are on blood thinners, or you’re unsure—ask a clinician/pharmacist first.
  5. Escalate sooner if you’re higher-risk.
    Prefer ER or same-day clinician evaluation if you are: pregnant, a child or teen, male with new urinary symptoms, have a single kidney, kidney disease, recent urologic surgery/procedure, are immunocompromised, or take anticoagulants.

What can wait

  • You do not need to figure out the cause right now.
  • You do not need to start supplements, cranberry products, or “detox” routines today.
  • You do not need to decide about imaging or referrals right now—focus on getting evaluated and following the next instruction you’re given.

Important reassurance

Blood in urine is scary to see, but there are many possible causes, including treatable ones. Prompt evaluation is the safest way to prevent complications and avoid missing something important.

Scope note

This guide is for first steps in the next few hours. After evaluation, you may be given antibiotics, pain control, imaging, or referral—follow the plan and return urgently if symptoms worsen.

Important note

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

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