Blood in the Urine — The Symptom That Is Not Postponed
What it means and when it must be investigated.
What is the problem?
Blood appearing in the urine always calls for investigation — even if it happened once and then disappeared, and even if it came without pain.
The causes are varied: infection, a stone, an enlarged prostate, or other causes inside the bladder that call for early exclusion. They cannot be distinguished by appearance or description — they are seen directly through a cystoscope.
The most common mistake: "the blood stopped after two days, so the problem is over"
Blood disappearing does not mean its cause has resolved. Many causes appear and disappear in episodes, and investigation is what settles the matter — not the symptom stopping.
And painless bleeding warrants investigation more, not less, because the absence of pain creates false reassurance and delays review.
How we examine it here
Cystoscopy: a fine scope passed through the urinary passage to view the urethra and bladder directly from inside, with what is seen documented in images in your file.
- Before the procedure
- A urine test to confirm there is no active infection — cystoscopy is not performed with an infection present. And a review of your medications, particularly blood thinners.
- Preparation
- The area is sterilised and anaesthetic gel placed inside the passage, then time is allowed for it to take effect.
- During the procedure
- The scope is passed and the urethra and bladder examined, with the findings documented.
- After the procedure
- A short period of observation, and the doctor explains what was seen directly to you.
Which tests are usually requested?
The test and the scope do not replace one another. The test confirms that what you saw was genuinely blood and suggests its cause; the scope shows its source:
- Microscopic urinalysis
- Confirms that red blood cells are genuinely present — some medications and foods change urine colour without blood.
- Urine culture
- Identifies infection as a cause and determines treatment. Cystoscopy is not performed with an active infection.
- Kidney function
- To determine whether the source of the blood is the kidneys themselves.
- Urine cytology
- Requested in selected cases determined by the doctor, not in every case.
- PSA blood test
- In men, according to age and case.
After the procedure — what is normal?
Mild burning while passing urine and slight traces of blood, for one to two days. We advise drinking plenty of water on the first day.
Contact us immediately if
- You develop a fever
- Urine stops
- There is heavy bleeding
Dr Mohammed Shaker Hito
Consultant Urological and Genital Surgeon
Medical Director, Hokama Najd Medical Polyclinic
More than forty years of experience in urological and genital surgery — he began practising the specialty in 1984.
Holds German accreditation in his specialty.
Oversees the centre's approved medical service list as Medical Director; it is signed in his name.
Performs the diagnostic investigations himself in the clinic: uroflowmetry, post-void residual, prostate volume, cystoscopy, Doppler and the erection study.
Follows the case from examination through reading the result to the plan — patients are not passed between different hands inside the clinic.
This experience is what explains the clinic's approach: four decades in the specialty teach that most of what gets treated by guesswork could have been settled by a single investigation at the outset.
Questions and answers
Questions frequently asked about blood in the urine and cystoscopy at the urology clinic at Hokama Najd.
Anaesthetic gel is placed inside the passage before the procedure and time is allowed for it to work. The expected sensation is brief pressure and discomfort rather than sharp pain.
No. But tell the doctor about all your medications, particularly blood thinners.
Immediately. The doctor sees the bladder directly during the procedure and explains the findings before you leave.
A test detects blood and suggests infection, but it does not show what is inside the bladder. When bleeding recurs or appears without pain, a test does not substitute for direct visualisation.
Into your medical file only. Cystoscopy and imaging pictures are never used for any marketing purpose here, whatever they show.
Book an examination appointment — blood in the urine is not postponed, even if it has stopped.
Book an Examination