Bleeding From UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): Causes And Treatment

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HealthlineSubscribeIs It Normal for a UTI to Cause Urinary Bleeding?

Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — Written by Kirsten Nunez — Updated on September 3, 2025

UTI symptoms
Causes of bleeding
UTI vs. period
Treatment
Home remedies
Seeking medical help
Summary

UTIs can cause pain, an urge to pee, and cloudy, smelly, and even bloody urine. Treatment should make these symptoms go away.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very common infection. It can occur anywhere in the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria and affect the bladder and urethra.

In this article, we’ll discuss how UTIs cause bleeding, also called hematuria, along with other symptoms and treatment.

Symptoms of a UTI

A UTI doesn’t always cause symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might experience:

painful urination (dysuria)
burning during urination
passing small amounts of urine
difficulty starting the urine stream
frequent urination (frequency)
constant urge to pee (urgency), even if you’ve already urinated
pressure or pain in your abdomen, sides, pelvis, or lower back
cloudy, foul-smelling urine
bloody urine (red, pink, or cola-colored)

These symptoms show up in the early stages. But if the UTI has spread to your kidneys, you might also feel:

fever
flank pain (lateral lower back and sides of the upper abdomen)
nausea
vomiting
fatigue

What causes bleeding during a UTI?

When you have a UTI, the bacteria infect the lining of your urinary tract. This leads to inflammation and irritation, causing red blood cells to leak into your urine.

If there’s a tiny amount of blood in your urine, it won’t be visible to the naked eye. This is called microscopic hematuria. A doctor will be able to see the blood when they look at your urine sample under a microscope.

But if there’s enough blood to change the color of your urine, you have what’s called gross hematuria. Your pee might look red, pink, or brown like cola.

UTI or a period?

If you menstruate, you might wonder if your bloody urine is caused by a UTI or menstruation.

Along with urinary bleeding, UTIs, and periods share symptoms like:

lower back pain
abdominal or pelvic pain
fatigue (in severe UTIs)

To determine which one you have, consider your overall symptoms. You’re likely menstruating if you have:

bloating or weight gain
sore breasts
headache
mood swings
anxiety or crying spells
changes in sexual desire
skin issues
food cravings

These symptoms aren’t typically associated with UTIs. Plus, if you have your period, you won’t see blood only when you pee. You’ll also have red or darker clots of blood continuously accumulating on your underwear with menstruation.

Treating UTI bleeding

The only way to stop UTI bleeding is to treat the UTI.

A doctor will request a urine sample first. Depending on the results of the urinalysis, they may prescribe:

Antibiotics

Since most UTIs are caused by bacteria, the most common treatment is antibiotic therapy. This medication helps to destroy the bacterium that’s causing the infection.

UTIs are often treated with one of the following antibiotics:

trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
fosfomycin
nitrofurantoin
cephalexin
ceftriaxone
amoxicillin
doxycycline

Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions and finish your medication, even if you feel better. The UTI could persist if you don’t complete the treatment.

The best antibiotic and length of treatment depend on several factors, including:

the type of bacterium found in your urine
the severity of your infection
whether you have recurring or persistent UTIs
any other urinary tract issues
your overall health

If you have a severe UTI, you might need intravenous antibiotics.

Antifungal medication

Some UTIs are caused by fungi. This type of UTI is treated with prescription antifungal medication.

The first line of treatment is fluconazole. It can reach high concentrations in the urine, making it the preferred choice for fungal UTIs.

» MORE: Get an online treatment plan for your urinary tract infection in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

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Remedies for UTI bleeding

Home remedies can’t cure a UTI or stop bleeding, but they can support UTI treatment.

The following remedies can help relieve symptoms as the antibiotic and your body clear the infection:

Drinking plenty of fluids

While you’re being treated for a UTI, drink lots of fluids. This will make you pee more often, which flushes bacteria out of your body. The best choice is water.

To avoid worsening your symptoms, limit beverages that irritate the urinary tract. These drinks include:

coffee
tea
alcohol
carbonated drinks, like soda
artificially-sweetened beverages

Many people think cranberry juice can help, but the research is lacking. A 2023 review of studies determined that cranberry juice can’t prevent or resolve UTIs.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that benefit your gut. They’re often used to balance gut flora and aid in intestinal health.

According to a 2024 meta-analysis of studies, probiotics might also help treat UTIs, especially when paired with antibiotics. The probiotic Lactobacillus inhibits the activity of certain infection-causing bacteria in the urinary tract, which could support UTI treatment.

When to see a doctor

Get medical help as soon as you notice any UTI symptoms.

This is especially important if you have blood in your urine. Even if it only happened once or it’s a small amount, you should still visit a doctor.

When treated promptly, a UTI is easier to clear. Early treatment will help you avoid other complications.

»FINDCARE:Find a primary care doctor in your area today.

Takeaway

It’s not unusual for a UTI to cause bloody urine. It happens because the infection-causing bacteria in your urinary tract cause inflammation and irritation to your cells there. Your urine may look pink, red, or cola-colored.

If you have bleeding from a UTI, or if you have other UTI symptoms, see your doctor. You should stop peeing blood once your UTI is treated.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Blood in urine. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-in-urine/
Bono MJ, et al. (2025). Urinary tract infection.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470195/
Miller JM, et al. (2017). Does instruction to eliminate coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated, and artificially sweetened beverages improve lower urinary tract symptoms: A prospective trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4799659/
Nelwan EJ, et al. (2024). Role of probiotic as adjuvant in treating various infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11106949/
Stothart WG, et al. (2023). Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections.https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD001321_cranberries-preventing-urinary-tract-infections
Treatment for bladder infection in adults. (2024).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/treatment
Urinary tract infections. (2019).https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/urinary-tract-infections/
What are the symptoms of menstruation? (2017).https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo/symptoms

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Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — Written by Kirsten Nunez — Updated on September 3, 2025

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