Why does urine smell bad

Other symptoms of liver disease include:. See your doctor right away if you have symptoms of liver disease. Untreated liver disease can be life threatening. Phenylketonuria is an incurable genetic condition that is present at birth.

It makes you unable to break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. Other symptoms include:. Maple syrup urine disease is a rare and incurable genetic disease that causes urine to smell like maple syrup. Lack of treatment can lead to brain damage and death. During pregnancy women have an increase in a pregnancy hormone called hCG. This increase can cause your urine to have a strong odor. This is especially true in early pregnancy.

However, women also have a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy which could contribute to any strong urine odor they report. Pregnant women also need to drink more water to keep from being dehydrated.

Dehydration causes uric acid to build up and can create a strong odor in the urine. To determine if your urine odor is caused by a medical condition, your doctor will use several tests. Some of these are:. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have a strong or abnormal urine odor that lasts for more than two days or if you have symptoms such as:.

However, if the odor is new and persists, check with your doctor to rule out a medical conditions. A bladder infection is a bacterial infection and a type of UTI, which refers to infection in the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. Most bladder…. Find information on phenylketonuria causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Does your urine smell like coffee? Learn how drinking too much coffee can cause this and what you can do.

Do you have a bladder infection? Learn about seven remedies for bladder infections that can ease symptoms and get rid of the infection. Some of these…. If your urine is red, you should contact your doctor immediately. Drugs, including amitriptyline , Indocin or Tivorbex indomethacin , Tagamet cimetidine , Phenergan promethazine , and Diprivan propofol , can cause blue or green urine.

Blue diaper syndrome, also called familial benign hypercalcemia, is a rare disorder which can cause blue urine. It develops when the intestines incompletely break down the dietary nutrient tryptophan. Green urine can also be a sign of pseudomonas bacteria , which causes urinary tract infections. Liver and kidney diseases, as well as urinary tract infections, can also produce a brownish tint.

Certain malaria medicines , antibiotics, laxatives, and muscle relaxants can also cause dark urine. White urine may indicate your body has an excess of certain minerals, including calcium or phosphate. It might also be a sign of a urinary tract infection.

You should always contact your doctor if you have any concerns about changes in your urine or if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Warning signs might include an abnormal color that has no explanation, or any sign of blood in urine. Also seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing a fever, burning sensation while urinating, chills, or back pain. Your doctor may want to conduct a urinalysis, urine culture, or other tests that can help pinpoint what is causing the changes in your urine.

These might include a blood test , ultrasounds, or cystoscopy. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. UC San Diego Health. April 21, British Medical Journal. December Urine Changes. Cleveland Clinic. April 16, Urine Odor. Mayo Clinic. January 11, August 31, National Institutes of Health.

Some people may not be able to detect the odor. Some people notice a change in the smell of their urine during pregnancy. Many people report a stronger sense of smell during pregnancy, though very little research has looked into this phenomenon.

It is worth noting that pregnant people with UTIs may not have any more noticeable symptoms — a change in the odor of urine may be the only warning. Prompt treatment of UTIs decreases the risk of serious complications for both the person and their baby. Also, having an overall healthy lifestyle and reducing or eliminating alcohol intake can protect the liver and may help get rid of the smell.

The doctor will ask about certain lifestyle factors, recent health changes, and when the bad smell began. They may do a urine culture to check for bacteria and other signs of infection. When the diet is responsible for the smell, the doctor may be able to diagnose the problem based on symptoms alone.

In some cases, the doctor may order imaging scans of the urinary tract or kidneys. A person may also need blood work to check for other health conditions. A bad smell in the urine often goes away on its own, especially when dehydration or something in the diet causes it. A person does not need to see a doctor if they can identify a harmless cause of their smelly urine, such as asparagus. Other causes need medical treatment. While a UTI is relatively harmless, it can progress and cause serious health issues, including kidney infections.

With early treatment, a person should feel better in a few days. Because some people with UTIs have no symptoms, see a doctor if the bad smell lasts longer than a few days. This is especially important for people who are pregnant. Other health issues that can cause this odor require ongoing treatment. For example, a person with diabetes may need to switch medications or make certain lifestyle changes.

If a person who has any chronic condition finds that the smell of their urine changes significantly, it may be a good idea to flag it with a doctor. Foul-smelling urine can be alarming, but it may be short-lived, and drinking more water may help the smell fade faster.

However, if there is not a clear cause — such as asparagus, supplements, or dehydration — it is a good idea to consult a healthcare provider. A look at urine that smells like ammonia, which can have many causes. Included is detail on when to see a doctor and treatments for the condition. Sweet-smelling urine may be caused by diet, diabetes, or maple syrup urine disease.

Learn why urine may smell sweet, treatments, and when to see a…. Some diets and pregnancy can also cause this symptom. Urine that smells like coffee can be caused by a person drinking too much coffee….