What causes a frequent urge to pee with traces of blood?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 43-year-old male. I started having frequent urges to pee six weeks ago and visited my doctor. He took a sample and did a dipstick test, and the result was negative. A week later, with the symptoms not improving, I returned to my doctor, who carried out another urine sample test. This time traces of blood appeared in the urine. They sent another sample off to get tested and again came back negative. They also gave me medication for a suspected UTI (nothing changed). He also advised me to take a cystoscopy. In the meantime, I visited my sexual health clinic, where I again found no infection (blood still in my urine). What is your opinion about this? Is this a serious condition?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern. I need to know a few more details. Are you a smoker? Have you ever had any urinary issues before this, like infections or straining to pass urine? Blood in the urine must be checked out thoroughly, and it may not always be serious, but it needs evaluation. Microscopic bleeding can be due to stones, infections, tumors, or sometimes many other medical causes that are not serious. You will need a CT (computerized tomography) scan to rule out stones and kidney tumors. Cystoscopy is used to check your bladder and urethra. If these are normal, then there is very minimal chance for it to be anything serious. Your treating physician is right in advising you of a cystoscopy.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is good that you are not a smoker, but I would still advise a cystoscopy. It could still be cystitis, as you also feel discomfort while passing urine. However, given your age, it is better to rule out other possibilities that may require treatment. I would advise you not to worry, as the chances of it being serious are minimal.

Hope you get better soon.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I just wanted to know whether you have been having repeated episodes of cystitis because it may indicate some abnormalities in the urinary tract. Active cystitis may be seen on urinalysis, but previous episodes, once resolved, usually have normal urine on testing.

Thank you.

Answer 4

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Active or recent cystitis can be diagnosed with a cystoscopy. The cystoscopy is more to rule out any stones or tumors within your urinary bladder than for diagnosing cystitis. In my experience, based on your complaints and test results, a normal cystoscopy is a more likely outcome than finding anything significant in your case.

Thank you.