Our fascinating bodily functions can tell us about our health, and urine is no exception. You’ve probably wondered why it can vary in shade from day to day.
Dileep Bhat, MD, a urologist with Avera Medical Group Specialty Care Brookings, first explains what’s normal.
“Urochrome, a natural dye, makes urine light yellow, and when you’re not drinking enough water, your kidneys concentrate urine and it’ll be darker,” said Bhat. “If you’re getting plenty of water, urine may appear colorless.”
Different Pee Colors
However, you might see different pee colors and patterns along the way. Here's an idea of what the different colors indicate:
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Dehydration
- Possible liver problems
- Another serious condition
- Possible medications
- Blood in the urine
- You ate too many beets
- Food dyes
- Medications
- Urinary tract infection
- Dehydration
- Over-the-counter supplements/medications
- Bile duct problems
Of course, these are only suggestions of what you might be dealing with. Some days it’ll be easy to recognize you didn’t drink enough water, or you overconsumed a certain food — no biggie.
Nonetheless, it’s important to be watchful and responsive if something is consistently off.
How Food Affects Pee
Eating too much of a food can cause false alarms in color (and sometimes odor).
One of the biggest culprits is a root vegetable known for its robust hue. “Beets are delicious, but they can color your urine, so don’t be surprised if you eat beets and have darker urine,” Bhat said. “Carrots can turn your pee orange, and if you’ve ever taken a B vitamin, you might be fascinated by the neon yellow in the toilet.”
Ever drink too much coffee? A trip to the restroom might bring hints of your aromatic morning beverage. In addition, we’ve all heard asparagus can emphasize the regular pee smell.
“Like color, urine’s scent being off once or twice is usually nothing,” Bhat said, “but in some cases, odor means infection.”
Your Pee Color and Possible Health Problems
Changes in color are more significant when coupled with other symptoms, Bhat said.
Underlying kidney, bladder or prostate problems could cause blood to appear and it also can be an indicator of cancer. Make sure the issue is addressed quickly.
“An infection can lead to burning pain during urination, and we can test it for blood, pus or bacteria,” he said. A burning feeling is another red-flag symptom and one you should have your doctor evaluate.
“In addition, we see people who are experiencing issues with frequency, such as having to get up in the night to use the bathroom, as well as people who have difficulty starting to pee,” he said.
In men, age brings prostate gland growth, and that can lead to blockage that can prevent emptying the bladder completely. If you can’t go when you want, your stream is slow or weak or you’re dribbling after you thought you were done, it could be a blockage.
Women do not have prostate gland issues, but face urinary health challenges. The most common issues are bladder infection and overactive bladder.
“We can prescribe medications to help,” Bhat said. “Blockage is rare, but women do sometimes face leakage as the urinary sphincter weakens. We can treat that problem as well.”
What to Do If Your Pee Concerns You
When something feels off or is consistently unusual, go see your primary care provider. Take a detailed description of your symptoms (what you’re seeing and feeling) and about when these symptoms started. This initial evaluation can determine next steps, such as testing.
If you have a simple urinary tract infection, your provider can offer a solution. However, if there’s speculation that you have a blockage, an issue with the reproductive organs, or a condition that needs urgent attention, you might need a specialist — a urologist or urogynecologist.
Sometimes your insurance requires a referral to see a urologist or urogynecologist; your primary care provider can facilitate this. Urologists care for both men and women’s disorders.
It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance provider to see how your visits will be covered.
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