Anyone who’s seen red or pink urine knows the jolt of alarm that follows. For men, blood in urine — called hematuria — is a symptom that can range from harmless to urgent.

4 related posts

Microscopic hematuria definition: ≥3 red blood cells per high-power field on urinalysis ·
Most common cause in men: Urinary tract infection or benign prostatic hyperplasia ·
Risk of cancer increases with age: Men over 40 with blood in urine have a higher chance of bladder or kidney cancer

Quick snapshot

1Common Causes
2When to See a Doctor
  • Always see a doctor for any blood in urine; urgently attend the ER if you see visible blood, have severe pain, or fever (Florida Kidney Physicians)
3Treatment Options
  • Antibiotics for infection, alpha-blockers for enlarged prostate, lithotripsy for stones, surgery for tumors (Cleveland Clinic)
4What to Expect at the Doctor
  • Your doctor will start with a urinalysis, blood tests, imaging (CT or ultrasound), and possibly cystoscopy (National Kidney Foundation)

Five key facts about hematuria in men, one pattern: the underlying cause shifts with age.

Fact Detail
Definition Blood in urine (hematuria) – presence of red blood cells in the urine.
Prevalence Up to 10% of men experience hematuria at some point (National Kidney Foundation).
Most common cause (men <40) Urinary tract infection.
Most common cause (men >50) Benign prostatic hyperplasia or bladder cancer (National Kidney Foundation).
Cancer risk Less than 5% of hematuria cases are due to cancer, but risk rises with age and smoking (Mayo Clinic).

What is the most common cause of blood in urine in men?

What causes blood in urine with pain?

  • Urinary tract infections are the most frequent cause in men under 40, often accompanied by burning and urgency (Mayo Clinic).
  • Kidney stones can cause painful hematuria, typically sharp flank pain that radiates (Florida Kidney Physicians).

What causes sudden blood in urine without pain?

  • Vigorous exercise, viral illness, or trauma can produce temporary, painless hematuria (Cleveland Clinic).
  • In men over 40, painless visible blood is a red flag for bladder or kidney cancer and needs urgent urology referral (Mayo Clinic).

Does blood in urine mean kidneys are shutting down?

Rarely. Blood in urine is not the same as kidney failure. Glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation) can cause hematuria, but it is an uncommon cause in men (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust).

Is blood in urine a sign of cancer in men?

  • Yes, but cancer is not the most likely cause. Less than 5% of all hematuria cases in men turn out to be cancer, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
  • The risk increases in men over 35, especially smokers or those with occupational exposures (nidirect).

The pattern: infection and prostate problems dominate the cause list, but age and pain status change the probability dramatically.

How urgent is blood in urine for a male?

When should a man go to the ER for blood in urine?

  • Visible blood with clots, severe pain, fever, or inability to urinate requires immediate emergency care (Florida Kidney Physicians).
  • Sudden, painless, visible blood in men over 40 is also an emergency — it warrants urgent urology evaluation (Mayo Clinic).

Can blood in urine wait for a regular doctor appointment?

If you see only microscopic blood on a routine urinalysis and have no other symptoms, a regular appointment within a week is usually acceptable. However, any visible blood — even once — should be seen within 24–48 hours (nidirect).

The trade-off: delaying a painless, visible episode can miss early-stage bladder cancer, which is highly treatable when caught early.

Is blood in urine serious?

What are red flags in a urine test for blood?

  • A dipstick positive for blood should always be confirmed with microscopy. Persistent or worsening hematuria raises concern (National Kidney Foundation).
  • Red flags: blood that persists on repeat tests, associated painless visible blood, and risk factors such as smoking or age over 40 (Mayo Clinic).

How serious is blood in urine for males?

Most cases are not serious. But because cancer cannot be ruled out without imaging and cystoscopy, every case deserves a thorough workup. Men over 50 with hematuria have a notably higher probability of finding a malignancy (nidirect).

The catch: most men with hematuria will have a benign cause, but the only way to know for sure is to see a doctor.

The upshot

For men over 40 with painless visible hematuria, the risk of bladder cancer is real enough that a urology appointment should happen within two weeks. Delaying evaluation is the single biggest missed opportunity for early treatment.

How do you treat blood in a man’s urine?

What is the treatment for blood in urine?

Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause. The National Kidney Foundation emphasizes that hematuria is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

Do antibiotics help blood in urine?

  • Yes, if the cause is a confirmed bacterial infection. Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for UTIs (Florida Kidney Physicians).
  • For viral causes or exercise-induced hematuria, antibiotics are not effective.

Can blood in urine go away on its own?

Yes — cases caused by exercise, mild infection, or a single stone may resolve without specific therapy. However, even transient hematuria should be investigated to rule out a hidden cause (Cleveland Clinic).

For enlarged prostate, common medications include alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors such as finasteride and dutasteride. If those fail, surgery may be needed (Cleveland Clinic).

The pattern: most treatments are cause-specific, so guessing without testing wastes time and can miss serious disease.

What should a man do if he is peeing blood?

Should a man see a doctor for blood in urine?

Yes — always. The first step is to contact your primary care doctor or a urologist. Do not try to self-diagnose, and do not stop drinking water. Keep a log of when the blood appears and any associated symptoms (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust).

  1. Keep a log of when the blood appears and any associated symptoms.
  2. Contact your primary care doctor or a urologist. Do not try to self-diagnose.
  3. Do not stop drinking water.
  4. Prepare for diagnostic tests such as urinalysis, blood tests, imaging, and cystoscopy.

What tests will the doctor do for blood in urine?

  • Urinalysis to confirm blood and check for infection (National Kidney Foundation).
  • Blood tests to check kidney function.
  • Imaging: a CT scan of the urinary tract or kidney ultrasound.
  • Cystoscopy: a thin camera inserted into the bladder to look for tumors or stones (Mayo Clinic).

What this means: the workup is straightforward but thorough. Most men get an answer after the first visit.

Why this matters

Waiting for blood to disappear on its own is risky. The British Association of Urological Surgeons states that about half of patients with visible blood in urine will have an underlying cause identified, while only about 10% with microscopic blood have a significant pathology. Early diagnosis is the difference between a simple procedure and advanced disease.

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Blood in urine requires medical evaluation in every case (National Kidney Foundation).
  • UTI and BPH are the most common causes in men (Mayo Clinic).

What’s unclear

  • The exact cause may not be found after an initial workup; follow-up is needed if blood persists (National Kidney Foundation).
  • Whether a single episode is benign or a sign of early disease can be uncertain until imaging is done (Cleveland Clinic).
  • It is unclear whether transient microscopic hematuria requires the same urgency as gross hematuria.

“Blood in urine that can be seen with the naked eye may be a sign of advanced kidney, bladder or prostate cancer.” — Mayo Clinic

“Many things can cause blood in your urine, including urinary tract infections, vigorous exercise and chronic kidney disease.” — Cleveland Clinic

“Infection: This could be either inflammatory infections in the bladder, like a urinary tract infection (UTI), or a kidney infection. Stones…” — MD Anderson Cancer Center

The takeaway is straightforward: blood in urine is a signal that always deserves attention. For most men, the cause will turn out to be a treatable infection or an enlarged prostate. But the only way to know is to see a healthcare provider, get the right tests, and follow through. For a man over 40 who spots a red-tinged toilet bowl, the choice is clear: call your doctor today, not next month.

Additional sources

cls.health, brownhealth.org, jeffersonhealth.org, baus.org.uk, saakhealth.com, uuanj.com, nidirect.gov.uk

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Frequently asked questions

Can exercise cause blood in urine?

Yes, vigorous exercise — especially long-distance running — can cause temporary hematuria. It usually resolves within 24–48 hours and is not dangerous, but it should still be evaluated (Cleveland Clinic).

What does blood in urine look like?

It can range from pink or red to cola-colored or dark brown, depending on how much blood is present and how long it has been in the bladder (Mayo Clinic).

Can dehydration cause blood in urine?

Dehydration itself rarely causes visible blood, but it can make urine more concentrated and dark. If you see red or brown, it’s more likely blood than just dehydration.

Is blood in urine painful?

It can be painless (more concerning) or painful (often due to infection or stones). The absence of pain does not mean it’s less serious (nidirect).

How long does blood in urine last?

It varies by cause. After an infection or stone, it may resolve in a few days. If it persists beyond a week, further investigation is needed (Florida Kidney Physicians).

Does blood in urine mean I have an STI?

Rarely, sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia can cause urethritis and blood in urine, but it is not the most common cause.

Can blood in urine be caused by medication?

Yes, certain blood thinners (anticoagulants) and some antibiotics can cause hematuria. Always tell your doctor about all medications you take (National Kidney Foundation).

Bottom line: Blood in urine in men is a symptom that deserves prompt medical attention. Men under 40 with painful symptoms and no visible blood can start with their GP. Men over 40 with painless gross hematuria need urgent urology referral. The risk of missing bladder cancer far outweighs the inconvenience of a workup.

Related reading: Nitrofurantoin Mono-MCR 100 mg: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & More — a common antibiotic for UTIs, a leading cause of blood in urine in men.

How to Do CPR: Step-by-Step Guide for Adults & Kids — another essential health guide.