The material provided below is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. You should always seek medical advice before consuming any new medicines or supplements. AZO® products referenced on this website are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease such as overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, or vaginal infections.
Here’s a super weird yet interesting fact: your urine says a lot about your health. Both the quantity and clarity of your urine can change based on your health and lifestyle. It’s important to know what’s normal for you in case you start noticing UTI symptoms or other changes that may mean you have to see a doctor. Color, clarity, and frequency can give clues to what’s going on in your body, so let’s take a look at urine!
THE URINARY TRACT
The urinary tract system removes a type of waste called urea from your blood. After passing through the kidneys, urea combines with water and other waste substances and becomes urine. It then travels down tubes, called ureters, and stored in the bladder until ready to be released.1
UTI SYMPTOMS AND URINE
Under normal circumstances, your body produces urine that is clear or straw-yellow. When you have a UTI, you may notice cloudy urine with traces of blood.2 You may even experience feeling the strong urge to go even when your bladder isn’t full, an increase in frequency and a foul smell. In many cases, UTI symptoms include a burning sensation when you pee with pelvic pain.2
OTHER URINE COLORS
There are many other reasons why you may experience a change in the color, consistency or smell of your urine. See below:
- Straw-Yellow: A deep yellow shows a normal, well-hydrated person3
- Amber or Honey: Your body isn’t getting enough water; drink water soon4
- Cloudy: This could be a sign of vaginal discharge, extra protein in the urine, or a UTI5
- Blue-Green: This may be the result of eating asparagus4 or taking cimetidine,5 a drug used to treat heartburn
- Orange: You may have consumed carrots or a lot of vitamin C6
- Pink to Red: This may be a result of eating beets, or you have blood in your urine from either a UTI or your monthly period3
If you find that you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI and notice blood in your urine we recommend consulting your health care professional as soon as possible
We’ve created a simple infographic to illustrate what your pee says about you. So pay attention to your urine, it’ll help you determine how healthy you really are!
1http://www.kidneyurology.org/Library/Urologic_Health.php/Urniary_system_and_how_works.php
2http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/basics/symptoms/con-20037892
3https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/10/what-the-color-of-your-urine-says-about-you-infographic/
4http://www.medicinenet.com/cloudy_urine/symptoms.htm
5http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/health-answers/what-your-pee-is-telling-you/
6http://www.livestrong.com/article/543711-can-vitamins-change-the-color-of-your-urine/
