COPING WITH… Blood in your pee

If you notice this even ‘just the once’, tell your doctor, says Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones

- Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones

Seeing blood when you pass urine is quite common, but alarming. Many of us get occasional or recurrent blood in our urine which can’t be seen with the naked eye, but is only detectable with a urinary dipstick, and is often a surprise discovery made during tests for other conditions.

It always needs checking out, as there are lots of causes, some of which are serious. Make an appointment with your doctor and take a urine sample with you in labelled, clean container.

Also make an appointment if you have any of the following, with or without visible blood in your urine: dysuria (pain, burning or discomfort during or after peeing), needing to pee frequently or urgently, an unpleasant smell, leaking urine or pain in your tummy or kidney areas (under your ribs, each side at the back).