Generally, stress does not directly result in blood in the urine. However, stress can make people more susceptible to developing stress-related medical conditions. It isn’t exceptional to have blood in your urine. In reality, one in five individuals will be influenced by this infection at some certain stage of their life. But what happens when you see more than just a little bit? Does stress cause blood in the urine? And what does it mean?

We all experience stress in our fast-paced lifestyles every day through our jobs, families, and financial obligations. Most of us know how to deal with everyday stress, but we may not be aware of the effects stress can have on our health. Numerous health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer, are associated with stress. But does stress cause hematuria? This article explains what causes red urine and how to diagnose and treat the causes of hematuria.

1. Can Blood in Urine be Caused by Stress?

1.1 Hematuria

Hematuria is the medical term used to describe the presence of blood in one’s urine. At least 1 in 5 people are affected by this urologic disease. While there are many potential causes, including injuries or infections, the cause is frequently unclear.

Hematuria may be influenced by stress since it can cause a variety of physiological changes that may result in the illness. While there are many potential causes, including injuries or infections, the cause is frequently unclear. Hematuria may be influenced by stress since it can cause a variety of physiological changes that may result in the illness.

Hematuria can be either microscopic or gross. Red blood cells that are present in the urine but can only be seen under a microscope are known as microscopic hematuria. Gross hematuria, on the other hand, is the term used to describe urine with visible blood that is colored red, pink, or brown. 

1.2 Does Stress Cause Blood in Urine?

Although stress alone does not cause blood in the urine, some research shows that stress can negatively impact urinary function.

In addition, a 2019 rat study discovered that psychological stress led to bladder storage malfunction by causing the production of the hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which is a component of the stress response.

According to a review published in 2022, long-term stress on the mind has been connected to lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), notably overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS).

An older study from 2015 discovered a link between OAB and IC/BPS patients’ perceived stress and their symptoms of urine incontinence. About 41% of persons with IC/BPS have hematuria.

1.3 Other Causes of Blood in Urine

Various diseases cause hematuria. Some of these include:

1. A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
2. Prostate Enlargement (In Men)
3. Kidney Stones
4. Bladder Infections
5. Exercising Vigorously
6. Some Certain Medicines (Anticoagulants, Pain Killers, Antibiotics, etc.)
7. Sickle Cell Anemia (disease that affects the blood)
8. Alport Syndrome (Genetic disorders that affect the kidneys, eyes, and hearing)
9. Physical Trauma

Renal or bladder cancer, as well as enlargement of the kidneys, urethra, bladder, or prostate, are more severe disorders that can result in blood in the urine. 

 The significant medical illnesses of renal disease, kidney infections, bladder cancer, and kidney cancer all call for prompt medical attention.

1.4 How a Urinary Tract Infection is Impacted by Stress

Urinary tract health and stress are interrelated. 

Extremely high levels of ongoing stress can raise blood cortisol levels and impair immune system function. You may become more prone to infections as a result, including UTIs, which can result in blood in your urine. 

On the other hand, stress can also be caused by urinary tract infections and it can even make stress worse. In a 2019 study, it was found that there were higher stress levels in children and adults with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Similarly, a 2017 research review found that UTI patients experience more psychological stress, which can make symptoms even worse.

1.5 Can Anxiety and Stress Lead to Bloody Urine?

Can stress lead to blood in urine, then? The short answer is that it cannot independently induce hematuria. However, circumstances that result in bloody urine can also create stress. 

Cortisol, sometimes referred to as “the stress hormone,” is one example of how stress affects our bodies’ amounts of this hormone. Overproduction of cortisol by our bodies can compromise our immune systems, leaving us more vulnerable to illnesses like UTIs, which can result in blood showing up in the urine.

Even though stress is not a medical sickness in and of itself, when left unchecked, it may have a disastrous effect on our health. Stress weakens our immune system and increases our risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, frequent headaches, and digestive problems. 

For all of these factors, as well as others, it is crucial that we actively endeavor to manage and eliminate stress to support the maintenance of our general health.

1.6 Tips to Manage Stress

Every person may experience various stressors and have various coping mechanisms. Typical coping mechanisms include:

1. Recognizing triggers and creating strategies for preventing or controlling them
2. Learning to handle daily activities and deadlines and prioritize tasks
3. The use of soothing methods like meditation and deep breathing
4. Everyday workout
5. Scheduling time for oneself
6. Consuming wholesome, unadulterated food
7. Having enough good sleep
8. Chatting with others about worries

A mental health expert can assist in identifying a person’s stress triggers and developing a plan of action to manage and alter them.

1.7 When to Get Medical Help if You Have Hematuria?

Blood in urine might be concerning, as we said before. However, it is not a cause for concern. Verify that what you’re witnessing is blood before calling for assistance. Urine may occasionally have a red, orange, or brown tint when consumed with certain foods, including beets, carrots, blackberries, and rhubarb. The color of urine may also be impacted by specific vitamins and dietary dyes.

It is best to err on the side of caution and get medical help if you are confident that there is blood in your urine or if you can’t completely rule out the possibility. You could save time for the identification and treatment of the underlying ailment causing the problem by seeing a doctor for the first time blood shows in your urine. 

The presence of blood in urine might fluctuate from day to day, which is an important point to remember. The underlying ailment that was creating the appearance of blood does not necessarily suggest that it is no longer present. This is the reason it’s crucial to seek medical advice and get a checkup. 

1.8 Diagnosis

These tests and examinations are essential to identify the cause of blood in the urine.

1. Examination of the body: This involves speaking with a medical and healthcare expert about your medical history.
2. Testing urine: These can be used to determine the reason why there is blood in the urine. They can indeed be utilized weeks or months afterward to decide whether there is still blood in the urine. Urine tests can also be done to check for minerals that cause kidney stones or a urinary tract infection.
3. Image-based tests: Imaging tests are commonly needed to determine the cause of blood in the urine. It may require an ultrasound examination or a CT or MRI scan.
4. Cystoscopy: To look for disease symptoms during a cystoscopy, a medical professional inserts a tiny camera-equipped thin tube into your bladder.

Usually, Blood in the Urine has no established cause. If that’s the case, you might need regular follow-up checks, especially if you have risk factors for bladder cancer. Smoking, pelvic radiation therapy, and exposure to certain chemicals are among these risk factors.

1.9 Treatment 

Since the underlying cause of the ailment is the focus of treatment, there are differences between the treatments for microscopic and gross hematuria. When a less serious ailment, like kidney disease, causes crimson urine, it can be treated by working closely with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat conditions like urinary tract infections.

Your doctor will be dedicated to precisely diagnosing your issue and providing efficient treatment, no matter what the reason.

2. Can Stress Cause Blood in Urine? Final Words 

Can stress result in bloody urine then? Constant stress increases the risk of unpleasant infections and bladder issues. Blood in the urine is not a result of stress alone, but several urinary tract issues that might result in it may be made worse by stress. Blood in the urine may point to a hidden medical issue, thus, one should not overlook them.

A person should see their doctor straight away if they discover blood in their urine. At your doctor’s appointment, you might need to have a urine test. Just be careful to get medical attention as soon as you can to prevent symptoms from getting worse. Depending on the underlying illness, antibiotics or surgery may be used to treat blood in the urine.

Last Updated on December 21, 2023 by riyaspeaks