The main causes of unpleasant urine odor in women and their treatment


What is considered normal

The urine of a healthy woman has a subtle odor of ammonia, which intensifies significantly when the urine comes into contact with oxygen, which is why women’s urine smells particularly strong if it stands even in a closed container.

If the urine has acquired another strange or bad odor, or a strong odor of ammonia is felt immediately after urination, it is necessary to identify the root cause of this condition.

Factors that provoke changes in the physical parameters of urine, including its aroma, include:

  • inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs;
  • venereal diseases;
  • excessive consumption of certain foods (garlic, alcohol, asparagus, etc.);
  • dehydration;
  • genetic diseases;
  • metabolic disease;
  • use of certain groups of drugs (for example, antibiotics);
  • diseases of the digestive system, including the liver.


Many common seasonings can also affect both the odor and color of urine.

This is an incomplete list of reasons that cause similar symptoms. This is due to the fact that urine indicators, as the final product of metabolic processes in the body, directly respond to all problems and malfunctions in the functioning of internal organs.

Why does my cat have stinky urine?

In conclusion, about our little brothers. Reasons why a cat has smelly urine:

  1. Just like in humans, the strong smell of ammonia from urine will indicate dehydration.
  2. The animal has entered the period of puberty and hunting. The smell is caused by increased activity of the sex glands.
  3. The cat's diet is incorrect. The reason is a protein imbalance.
  4. Disease of a genitourinary nature. Everything here repeats the human situation.
  5. Hormonal diseases, cancer. An alarming sign is a putrid smell. Often he alone can speak about a serious pathology.
  6. Severe stress. A pungent odor in this case is a disruption in metabolic processes.

If an unusual smell appears for no apparent reason and does not go away within 2 weeks, this is a reason to take the animal to the veterinarian.

So we have figured out all the reasons for the strong smell of urine. Even if some of them are harmless, this is still a sufficient reason to consult a doctor.

Unpleasant urine odor in women often appears during the development of serious diseases. The sooner the cause of what is happening is identified, the greater the chances of a quick successful cure. The problem can arise at any age, so every woman needs to remember the basic reasons why urine began to change.

Smell of acetone

In small amounts, acetone compounds are constantly excreted from the body by the kidneys along with urine. But if after urination a specific smell of acetone is detected, then its indicators have exceeded the permissible threshold.

This manifestation may be one of the symptoms:

  • diabetes mellitus;
  • stomach cancer;
  • exhaustion of the body (with diets in women, fasting, excessive physical activity, etc.);
  • disturbances in the diet (predominance of protein and fat-containing foods);
  • prolonged increase in body temperature;
  • poisoning, including alcoholic;
  • prolonged vomiting (intestinal poisoning, toxicosis of pregnancy, eclampsia);
  • thyroid diseases.

In most cases, in addition to the change in urine odor to acetone, additional manifestations of disease are observed.

But even the appearance of such an aroma, as a single symptom, indicates the need to see a doctor. This is due to the fact that the presence of a high number of ketone bodies in urine can lead to a coma or serious health problems (especially during pregnancy).

If there is acetone in the urine, its smell can change not only to a sharp acetone, but also to a soft one with the aroma of rotten or rotting apples

Treatment usually consists of eliminating the cause that caused the change in the physical parameters of urine and adjusting the diet.

Systemic disturbances in the functioning of organs

Why does human urine smell very strong? As we discussed above, this may be due to a systemic dysfunction of organs. Especially those systems through which urine passes.

The most common causes are the following diseases:

  1. Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory process occurring in the kidneys. It can be either a primary form (the disease affects healthy kidneys) or a secondary form (pyelonephritis is a consequence of another kidney disease). A change in the smell of urine will not be the only sign here. The patient will complain of sharp, nagging pain in the lower back. The disease is quite serious - you need to seek help from a doctor as soon as possible!
  2. Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. The disease can be either infectious or non-infectious in nature. The mucous membrane of the muscle sac becomes inflamed, which leads to disruption of its functioning - the patient’s urine will become cloudy and have sediment. An unpleasant ammonia odor will also be felt from freshly collected urine. Sometimes “medicinal” cystitis occurs - the disease is caused by long-term use of large doses of medications that irritate the bladder mucosa. In particular, these are “Urotropin”, “Phenacetin”. The urine will have a sharp “pharmacy” or “hospital” smell.
  3. Urethritis is an inflammation of the walls of the urethra (urethra). A disease of bacteriological, viral nature. In addition to the strong smell of urine, the patient will notice noticeable pain when urinating, purulent, bloody spots in the urine. Moreover, the smell of this disease appears as the very first of all symptoms.
  4. UTI (urinary tract infection). Due to the anatomical proximity of the organs, diseases of these systems are in some cases interrelated. Vaginosis, chlamydia, gardnerellosis are the causes of the sharp unpleasant odor of urine. The collected urine here will also be cloudy when held up to light.

Strong ammonia smell

Ammonia compounds and derivatives are always present in urine.

But an increase in odor reminiscent of ammonia may indicate the presence of pathologies and physiological conditions such as:

  • excessive use of medications containing calcium and iron;
  • abuse of protein foods (ammonia is a breakdown product of amino acids);
  • in rare cases, the smell of ammonia appears during inflammatory processes of the urinary system (cystitis, pyelonephritis);
  • stagnation of urine (prolonged abstinence from urination, for example, in the morning, compression of the ureter when a stone passes or by the uterus during pregnancy, etc.);
  • dehydration (the concentration of all substances in the urine, including ammonia, increases several times);
  • liver disease (in this case, free ammonia molecules appear in the urine, giving a strong aroma to urine).

If a change in the smell of urine is caused by physical reasons (dehydration, malnutrition, forced long-term absence of urination), then everything can be brought back to normal simply by eliminating these reasons - by restoring the drinking and emptying of the bladder.

Compliance with the drinking regime is one of the ways to prevent diseases of the urinary system

If such measures are ineffective and the bad smell persists for more than 3 days, then the problem is most likely a malfunction of the internal organs. In this case, additional diagnostic methods are needed to determine treatment tactics.

Diagnostic methods

At the initial stages of the examination, the following studies are carried out:

  • general urine analysis;
  • urine analysis according to Nechiporenko;
  • general blood analysis;
  • blood containing glucose;
  • examination by a gynecologist and urologist;
  • a smear of discharge from the urethra and cervix;
  • Ultrasound of the urinary system, pelvic organs.

An ultrasound of the urinary system will help doctors find out the cause of the unpleasant smell of urine

If this is not enough, the examination will be expanded:

  1. The gynecologist will refer you for PCR diagnostics to exclude STDs, HPV, and bacterial culture of urethral and vaginal discharge.
  2. The urologist will prescribe a bacterial urine culture, MRI or CT scan if the tumor nature of the disease is suspected.
  3. A coloproctologist or surgeon will write out a referral for a colonoscopy, endoscopic examination of the intestines;
  4. The oncologist will notify you of the need to take a biopsy if neoplasms are detected on ultrasound or MRI, regardless of the expected origin.

Sour smell

Your urine may begin to smell like sauerkraut or sour milk. The main reason for the appearance of such an aroma is a fungal infection of the genitourinary organs (vaginal candidiasis, candidal urethritis).

In addition, there are other manifestations:

  • cloudy urine;
  • white discharge from the genitals and urethra in the form of flakes and suspension;
  • constant itching;
  • white coating on the mucous membranes of the vagina and labia.

For treatment, both local agents in the form of vaginal suppositories, suppositories and ointments, and drugs with systemic action (tablets for oral administration) can be used.

Also, urine in women can acquire a sour smell if there are problems in the functioning of the digestive system (intestinal dysbiosis, increased acidity of gastric juice, etc.).

Taking certain medications, in particular antibiotics, can cause an imbalance in the internal microflora

An imbalance in the vaginal microflora due to bacterial infection or long-term use of antibiotics leads to vaginal dysbiosis, vaginitis and other diseases of the female genital organs. In addition to the characteristic vaginal discharge, the smell of urine may change and acquire sour notes.

Taking products to restore intestinal microflora in the form of capsules and suspensions, as well as vaginal tablets with a similar composition, will help solve the problem of dysbiosis. If pathogenic bacteria are the culprit, then you cannot do without prescribing antibacterial agents.

Smell of fish

With trichomoniasis, vaginal discharge becomes foamy, the intimate parts of the body become swollen and unpleasant feelings are observed during sexual intercourse.

With gonorrhea caused by gonococci, pus is released from the intimate organs, discomfort and itching are felt. Urination is painful, and there is a strong smell of urine in both men and women.

With chlamydia, watery and slightly viscous mucus is released from the genitals, sometimes with blood clots. With this disease, women experience a nagging pain in the lower abdomen and feel discomfort when urinating.

With ureaplasmosis, the appendages and uterus become infected, which can provoke the formation of stones in the urinary system and cause infertility. The spread of pathogenic microorganisms occurs at high speed, so it is important to start treatment on time.

The disease can sometimes occur without symptoms. The main symptoms include burning of the urethra, itching of the genitals, and unusual vaginal discharge. Mycoplasmosis can also be diagnosed if the urine smells like ammonia.

Fishy smell

It is extremely rare for the urine itself to have such an odor, but in some conditions, vaginal discharge gets into the urine during urination and gives it a fishy (usually rotten) smell.

Thus, trichomoniasis, being a sexually transmitted sexually transmitted disease, causes damage to the internal genital organs and urethra by Trichomonas.

Barrier methods of contraception are one of the most reliable methods of protection against sexually transmitted diseases

During the process of reproduction and life of the pathogen, yellow discharge is actively formed, which has a specific fishy odor.

In addition, a woman may notice:

  • painful sensations during urination;
  • yellowish-brown discharge;
  • redness and swelling of the mucous membranes of the vagina and urethra.

Also, the fishy smell of urine can accompany vaginal dysbiosis, in the case when the balance of the microflora is disturbed and opportunistic bacteria - gardnerella - begin to predominate in it.

The condition is characterized by the presence of copious greenish vaginal discharge with a strong fishy odor, inflammation of the mucous membranes, and discomfort when urinating (if urethritis develops in parallel).

Trimethylaminuria is a disease in which all fluids released by the body have an unpleasant aroma of rotting fish. This genetic disease is expressed in the complete or partial lack of regulation of the production of one of the liver enzymes, which is responsible for converting the active compound trimethylamine released during digestion.

An unpleasant odor comes not only from urine, but also from sweat, saliva and vaginal discharge.

Usually the disease is detected in early childhood (at the time of weaning), but there are cases when the genetic disorder manifests itself in adulthood.

Among the therapeutic measures, only adherence to a low-protein diet and the intake of certain adsorbents are considered.

Reasons why urine starts to smell unusual

People are concerned about what an unpleasant odor indicates when alarming symptoms appear. The odor may change due to illness or under the influence of non-infectious factors.

Sour smell

The key factor in the occurrence of a pronounced sour smell is damage to the organs of the urogenital tract by a fungal infection: candidiasis, fungal urethritis, as well as mixed bacterial-fungal inflammation. Associated symptoms are cloudy urine, cheesy discharge in women and men, itching when urinating, plaque on the mucous membranes of the external genitalia.

The change is often combined with other symptoms: burning and pain when urinating, changes in the transparency and shade of urine, temperature, the appearance of atypical impurities in the urine (blood, pus, mucus).

The symptomatic complex is always bright, so treatment is usually carried out in a timely manner. Yeast-like fungi can infect female and male genital organs.

Other causes of sour odor:

  • Metabolic disorders. Urine changes against the background of long-term fasting and improper recovery from it, long-term starvation diets with minimal consumption of protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
  • Nutritional factors. Eating spicy foods, preserved foods, marinades, fatty meats with sour sauces - all this provokes a change in smell to sour. The peak occurs 8-12 hours after taking the last meal. It all depends on the function of digestion and kidneys.
  • Bad habits. Alcohol, tobacco, and narcotic drugs actively affect the characteristics of urine. Regular consumption of strong or weak alcohol has a detrimental effect on the condition of the body. Alcohol reduces immunity, leads to irritation of the urinary mucosa and inflammation.

Changing urine odor to fishy

A fishy smell accompanies infectious processes, especially sexually transmitted diseases. Pathogenic environments spread very quickly throughout the internal genital organs, forming an infectious focus. This is why urine smells strong. Common causes of fishy odor are:

  • gonorrhea;
  • damage by ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas;
  • syphilis;
  • vaginal dysbiosis, vaginal infection;
  • acute urethritis.

There is another reason for the smell of urine - trimethylaminuria. This is an irreversible disorder of liver enzyme function. Due to the disease, trimethylamine accumulates in the liver and is excreted in sweat and urine. Constant stench from the skin leads to discomfort, which worsens social adaptation and psycho-emotional background.

Some medications, medical procedures, and lack of drinking along with rich food can affect the character of urine.

Unpleasant notes of ammonia

If your urine has a strong, unpleasant odor, the cause may be an accumulation of ammonia in the body.

Excess ammonia is the result of chronic renal failure, reduced organ functionality, and other inflammatory diseases of the urinary system. Ammonia in the urine indicates that the filtering organs are not coping with the function of neutralizing it. Therefore, the substance constantly accumulates in the body and is excreted in the urine, partly in feces.

If the structure and density of ammonia urine changes, then it is important to exclude cancer. The smell of ammonia can accompany pyelonephritis, urethritis, and chronic cystitis.

Interestingly, the appearance of notes of ammonia is possible long before pronounced clinical manifestations.

The change is combined with other symptoms:

  • burning and pain during urination;
  • changes in the clarity and shade of urine;
  • fever;
  • the appearance of atypical impurities in urine (blood, pus, mucus).

Strange smell of mice

If the urine has a mouse-like odor, phenylketonuria may be suspected. This is a congenital disease with an irreversible course. It is based on a violation of the production of the amino acid phenylalanine. It is this that changes the biochemical composition of urine, leading to a characteristic odor. The disease requires mandatory symptomatic treatment, otherwise it leads to persistent neurological disorders and mental disability.

Why does urine smell like rotting apples and acetone?

Unpleasant apple notes in urine in adults and children are an indirect sign of diabetes. The higher the glycemic index, the stronger the odor of the urine. The rotting odor is especially pronounced in patients with diabetes with ketoacidosis, the entry and proliferation of bacteria.

Sweet smell of maple syrup

The cause of the odor is leucinosis, a hereditary disease that disrupts the production of enzymes that break down certain amino acids. They begin to accumulate in internal tissues, poisoning the body.

It is diagnosed in early childhood (starting from infancy), but with an intermediate and intermittent form, the onset of manifestations may be delayed until a later date.

Periods of exacerbation appear during stress, during a decrease in immunity, in case of severe physical exertion

Symptoms of the disease also include:

  • disorders in coordination of movements;
  • vomit;
  • convulsions.

Treatment consists of a lifelong diet that excludes foods containing certain amino acids and constant monitoring of clinical tests. If left untreated, the prognosis is poor.

How to get rid of unpleasant odor

To identify the cause, the first thing you need to do is get tested. Constantly taking baths with scented additives will not solve the problem. If the cause is a food factor or excess weight, then it is recommended to change your lifestyle and diet. For a pathological cause, adequate medical care and a course of drug therapy are recommended.

A change in the smell and color of urine is a symptom that may indicate diseases of the genitourinary or excretory system. Timely therapy not only improves well-being, but also affects the quality of life in general.

Mold smell (urine smells like mice)

This is another congenital disease in which the liver fermentation system is inactive and is not able to break down phenylalanine, which determines the level of its accumulation in tissues.

In this case, a person’s sweat, saliva, and urine smell bad of mold or mice. The disease is detected in early childhood.

What does urine culture show during pregnancy?

Additionally there are:

  • convulsions;
  • lethargy;
  • retardation in physical and mental development.

The disease can only be treated by strict adherence to certain nutritional rules; usually the restrictions are lifelong and only help to contain the manifestations of the disease.

If you neglect the selected diet, then damage to the central nervous system and brain is inevitable with the development of severe consequences (idiocy, imbecility).

What to do if your urine starts to smell bad

This is another congenital disease in which the liver fermentation system is inactive and is not able to break down phenylalanine, which determines the level of its accumulation in tissues.

In this case, a person’s sweat, saliva, and urine smell bad of mold or mice. The disease is detected in early childhood.

What does urine culture show during pregnancy?

Additionally there are:

  • convulsions;
  • lethargy;
  • retardation in physical and mental development.

The disease can only be treated by strict adherence to certain nutritional rules; usually the restrictions are lifelong and only help to contain the manifestations of the disease.

If you neglect the selected diet, then damage to the central nervous system and brain is inevitable with the development of severe consequences (idiocy, imbecility).

If a woman’s urine smells like mold, then this primarily indicates a congenital pathology in which the liver fermentation system is inactive. Only a doctor can answer why this happens and how to get rid of the pathology.

With this pathological process, a woman also experiences the following symptoms:

  • apathy;
  • the occurrence of convulsive conditions;
  • retardation in physical and intellectual development.

Treatment of the disease consists of strictly following all the rules and recommendations in nutrition. If you ignore the doctor's prescriptions, the disease can lead to damage to the brain and central nervous system.

Treatment of the disease consists of strict adherence to all rules and recommendations in nutrition

As for non-specific odors, they can also appear. Very often you can notice that urine smells like garlic or ampicillin. Such odors mainly appear as a result of eating certain foods, as well as seasonings or the use of antibacterial drugs.

If you notice that your urine has become cloudy and has acquired an unusual smell, first of all, analyze your diet and remember what medications you took for 3-4 days before the changes were detected.

It is possible that the reasons lie in these factors. After normalizing the diet and stopping taking honey. medications, the situation should return to normal on its own within a few days. If this does not happen, the urine is still cloudy, which may be due to illness.

Urine is a “product” of the kidneys. Blood passes through the kidneys - every milliliter of it. The blood first passes through the kidney filter, which leaves large molecules in it (mainly proteins and blood cells), and sends the liquid with substances floating and dissolved in it further.

Next comes a system of tubules. They have special “analyzers” built into them. They test what substances are in the urine and, together with the liquid, take those needed by the body (glucose, potassium, hydrogen) back into the blood.

As a result, out of 180 liters of former blood that has passed through the filter, 1.2-2 liters of urine remain, which is released during the day. Such urine is called “secondary” and is an ultrafiltrate of blood plasma.

The “final version” of urine formed in the kidneys passes through the ureters, collects in the bladder, and then exits through the urethra. In these organs, several cells that have outlived their useful life are normally added to the ultrafiltrate of plasma, and in diseases - bacteria, blood cells, and dead own cells.

What gives urine the smell is:

  • some medications that are excreted primarily through the kidneys;
  • individual substances with a strong aroma contained in food;
  • metabolites of certain hormones;
  • pus;
  • blood;
  • discharge from the exocrine glands located on the path from the kidneys to the skin of the perineum;
  • some substances that are formed in the internal organs during their illness.

Treatment for unpleasant urine odor depends on the cause of this condition and is prescribed strictly individually. So, in case of liver or kidney failure, this is mandatory hospitalization in a specialized hospital that has an intensive care unit.

For urinary tract infections (cystitis, urethritis), treatment consists of taking antibiotics and sometimes washing the inflamed organs with antiseptic solutions.

Tumors of the genitourinary tract are subject to mandatory removal, and if malignant cells are detected in them, then this is supplemented with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. If hereditary metabolic disorders are detected, then only a special diet can help, and in some cases, experimental gene therapy.

The acetonemic condition in children and adults is treated in a hospital, where the patient’s body is saturated with the necessary fluid and glucose. The concentration of acetone decreases when complex carbohydrates ("Xylate") are injected into a vein and when solutions such as "Citrarginine", "Stimol", "Betargin" are taken orally (they are not given to pregnant women).

With the development of a ketoacidotic state, therapy resembles that for acetonemic syndrome, only intravenous administration of polyionic solutions and glucose occurs simultaneously with a gradual decrease in high sugar levels with insulin.

The cause of the unpleasant odor of urine is determined using urine tests: in general with the determination of glucose and ketone bodies, according to Nechiporenko, bacteriological research, determination of individual amino acids and their metabolites in urine. Nobody in their right mind carries out treatment based on one smell, without appropriate diagnosis.

A moldy smell may indicate that this is a congenital disease associated with impaired liver fermentation. With this pathology, phenylalanine accumulates. The patient's discharge in the form of sweat, saliva and urine smells like mold, convulsions, lethargy occur, and mental and physical development may be delayed.

This disease can only be treated by following a diet.

Smell of rotten eggs or rotting

Urine that smells like rotten eggs may occur if the genitals or urinary tract are affected by E. coli. This manifestation is especially common in cases of pyelonephritis or rectal cancer.

In girls, this smell is the first symptom of infectious diseases of the kidneys and bladder.

Most diseases of the urinary system, in addition, are characterized by the appearance of cloudy urine with various inclusions (suspension, pus, etc.). Eating large amounts of asparagus can also cause a pungent rotten egg odor in the urine, which will go away on its own within a maximum of 6 hours.

Clinical picture

An increase in ammonia and its gradual accumulation in the body leads to the development of a clinical picture, which is characterized by: disruption of the digestive system, which is manifested by nausea; changes in taste preferences in food; disruption of the nervous system - lethargy or agitation; headache.

Reaching the maximum concentration of ammonia means the peak development of the pathological process in the body. Along with a change in the color and odor of urine, the following symptoms are diagnosed:

  1. dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting);
  2. unpleasant pungent odor from vomit and in exhaled air;
  3. an increase in body temperature if an infectious and inflammatory pathology led to an increase in ammonia;
  4. pain syndrome localized in the area of ​​the affected organ;
  5. weakness;
  6. feeling of thirst and dry mouth;
  7. irritability;
  8. increased heart rate;
  9. increase in blood pressure indicators;
  10. dryness of the epidermis;
  11. loss of consciousness.

Change in urine odor during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the smell of urine can be affected by the same reasons as before. The appearance of a sweetish tint, the aroma of rotting apples or acetone is considered especially dangerous. This may indicate the occurrence of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, nephropathy or eclampsia.

During pregnancy, various inflammatory reactions of the kidneys and bladder occur especially often, which leads to the release of urine with a sour or purulent odor.

In the last trimester, there is a high probability of compression of the ureter by the enlarged uterus, which can lead to stagnation of urine and increased ammonia odor.

Another reason for the deterioration of the aroma of urine may be increased blood supply to all mucous membranes of the body, including the nose, which is why even ordinary odors during pregnancy may seem fetid and strong.

Other reasons for changes in the properties of urine

The basic rule that must be followed, regardless of the pathological or non-pathological cause, is to contact a specialist if there is a prolonged presence of an altered odor, since timely diagnosis followed by therapeutic intervention in many cases helps to avoid dangerous complications. Often the causes of a strong smell of urine in women are diseases of the urinary system.

Important. As practice shows, the property in question in urine can change long before the initial clinical signs of a disease in this group appear, which is why it is often possible to identify the problem at the very beginning of its development.

Name of pathologyPeculiarities
PyelonephritisThis disease is infectious, affects the kidney tubules, its development is provoked by Escherichia coli. The unpleasant aroma is accompanied by acute pain in the lumbar region, an increase in temperature, and unpleasant sensations during urination.
UrethritisInflammation forms in the area of ​​the urethra under the influence of infectious pathogens transmitted from the carrier through sexual contact.
CystitisInflammations develop against the background of pyelonephritis or may be its cause; they occur in the bladder. The main pathogen is streptococcus, Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, chlamydia and others. Associated symptoms are painful frequent urination, the illusion of a constantly full bladder.
PyelitisThe disease is characterized by damage to the renal pelvis; pus is often found in urine.
Name of pathologyPeculiarities
ChlamydiaThe causative agent of the disease is chlamydia, which enters the body during sexual intercourse. Associated symptoms are pain in the lower abdomen and discomfort during urination, the appearance of intermenstrual bleeding.
UreaplasmosisThe disease is provoked by opportunistic microorganisms, which begin to actively multiply when immunity deteriorates, causing inflammation of the urethra, ureters and genital organs.
MycoplasmosisMycoplasmas cause inflammation in the kidneys, reproductive system, and can provoke bacterial vaginosis.
TrichomoniasisThe pathology causes the formation of inflammation in the vagina, cervix, and urethra. In addition to inflammation and painful sexual intercourse, foamy vaginal discharge is observed.

In women, the occurrence of a strong odor of urine is a frequent accompaniment of other unpleasant phenomena:

  • Changes in the properties of urine are observed against the background of intoxication of organs by parasites - their influence is diagnosed in seven out of ten people in accordance with statistical data.
  • If the liquid has an unpleasant aroma combined with a dark color, you can suspect an increase in the amount of bilirubin, which indicates problems with the liver.
  • When dehydrated, the state of urine also changes. The reason sometimes lies in an incorrectly selected or constantly disrupted drinking regime, the use of certain pharmaceuticals, increased blood loss, diarrhea and other factors. Excessive dieting can have a similar effect.
  • Changes are also possible with diabetes; an unnatural aroma of urine indicates hyperglycemia; the next stage may be the development of a diabetic coma. An accompanying symptom is drying out of the oral mucosa, a feeling of thirst, and weight changes.
  • Failures in metabolic processes can also change the state of urine.

However, a change in the characteristics of the contents of the bladder does not always indicate the presence of pathologies; sometimes the symptom in question develops against the background of hormonal changes due to bearing a baby. Moreover, the problem usually occurs in the 2nd half of pregnancy.

Nutrition can also change the contents of the bladder for the worse; spicy, excessively fatty foods, pickles, garlic and carbonated drinks, asparagus can negatively affect the fluid. Antimicrobial drugs and B-group vitamins can also have a negative effect.

Quite often, changes in the properties of urine do not occur as a result of the development of diseases. For example, the liquid may smell like garlic, sulfur, or ampicillin due to the consumption of certain foods or the use of antimicrobials.

Regular cabbage, due to the sulfur compounds it contains, can enhance or worsen already unpleasant aromas. Seasonings, especially garlic and curry, cardamom or cumin, can also change the properties of the contents of the bladder.

Changes also appear when a woman is carrying a child. However, the reasons may be factors that existed before pregnancy. During this period, it is very important to carefully monitor any unusual nuances.

For example, it is considered most dangerous for pregnant women when the liquid has a sweet aroma, a hint of rotting apple or acetone. Such symptoms may indicate the development of diabetes mellitus in pregnant women, the occurrence of eclampsia or nephropathy.

It has been noticed that during the process of bearing a child, inflammatory processes most often occur in the bladder or kidneys, resulting in the appearance of fluid with a purulent or sour spirit. In the third trimester, it is possible that the ureter may be compressed by the enlarged uterus, which causes stagnation of the contents and increases the ammonia smell.

Another reason why a pregnant woman’s own urine may not smell very pleasant is the increased blood supply to the mucous layers of the body, including the nasal membranes. As a result, even the most ordinary urine and natural discharge can seem foul.

Quite often, discomfort is caused by poor hygiene, partial urinary incontinence, cystitis and other reasons.

The sight of unpleasant-smelling urine may indicate a possible disorder. So, the following scent options are distinguished:

  • Acetone. Appears when the concentration of a substance in the urine exceeds the permissible limit. It is considered a symptom of anorexia, dehydration, thyroid pathologies, diseases of the digestive system, diabetes, and heavy metal intoxication. It also occurs due to increased physical activity, alcohol use, prolonged fasting or abuse of animal food.
  • Ammonia aroma. It may be a sign of side effects of certain medications, stagnation of urine, inflammation of the genitourinary system and dangerous liver pathologies. In this case, there is a burning sensation when urinating, pain in the groin and lower back, nausea and general weakness. The blood test showed an increased level of leukocytes.
  • Fish. Usually it is vaginal discharge that has this aroma, not the urine itself. Occurs due to sexually transmitted diseases. It may be accompanied by swelling and redness of the genitals, pain during urination and a specific yellow-brown tint of discharge.
  • Putrefactive. Appears due to the effect of E. coli on the urinary system, with pyelonephritis, acute urethritis, or due to non-compliance with intimate hygiene rules.
  • Sourish. It is characterized by a bright cabbage aroma, which occurs due to fungal infections. Leads to cloudiness of biological fluid, itching and white plaque in the area of ​​the external genitalia. It may also be a sign of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, intestinal dysbiosis.
  • Sweetish. Most often observed in the morning due to stagnation of urine in the bladder or insufficient amount of fluid in the body.

A change in the smell of urine in most cases is a sign of pathology of the urinary system. If, along with such a deviation, blood or pus appears in the urine, an urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary.

The main condition for a speedy recovery of the patient is timely therapy, during which the specialist must deal with the cause of the deviation, and not just with the symptom itself. So, to normalize the condition, a woman can be prescribed the following medications:

  • Antibiotics for bacterial or fungal infections (Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin);
  • Diuretics for edema and fluid stagnation in the bladder (“Cyston”, “Canephron”);
  • Probiotics and prebiotics to restore normal intestinal microflora (Acipol, Bifidumbacterin).

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Along with the medicinal effect, a diet may be prescribed that is necessary for the specific identified disease. In most cases, it is recommended to increase fluid intake, which helps cleanse the kidneys and urinary tract. Herbal diuretics will also help ease the patient’s well-being.

Advice! It is important to follow basic hygiene rules: take a shower regularly, washing yourself with intimate care products; change underwear and pads on time.

A strong smell of urine in women can occur due to many physiological or pathological reasons. To normalize the condition in the first case, it is sufficient to exclude the factor that provokes the development of the disorder.

Waste blood is collected in the kidneys and sent as urine to the bladder, from where it is excreted from the body. Spent plasma contains dead cells and pathogenic bacteria. Discharge from the genital organs gets into the urine of women.

Urine contains substances filtered by the kidneys. This:

  • some medications;
  • flavoring agents from food products;
  • products of hormone metabolism;
  • substances of the endocrine glands located in the genitals;
  • pus;
  • blood.

Causes of odor

Human sweat is 88% water, the remaining 12% is various enzymes. The secretions of the sweat glands themselves do not smell of anything; the smell arises due to the interaction of bacteria with metabolic products. Depending on which enzyme predominates on the skin, one or another aroma appears - fish, onion, urine, sour apple, etc.

Urine contains ammonia with a characteristic pungent aroma. Cats have more of it, which is why the discharge has such a specific smell. Biochemical processes in the human body occur with the participation of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The main source of energy is carbohydrates; in their absence, the body begins to draw reserves from proteins. Fats perform a passive, reserve role and are used in minimal quantities as needed.

As a result of transformations, amino acids appear from proteins, which perform many useful functions. The main component of amino acids is ammonia, its chemical formula is NH3. In addition, nitrogen is part of vitamins, hormones, and lipids. During the process of biological transformations, a nitrogen atom is split off, and glucose is formed from the remaining part, which plays the role of fuel for the body. The nitrogen in urea comes out naturally.

If the kidneys do not perform their function, ammonia enters the sweat glands and is excreted in sweat. As a result of the activity of bacteria, a characteristic smell of urine appears. The more ammonia atoms, the stronger, more intense the stench.

External and internal factors can provoke disruption of biological metabolic processes. This is excessive consumption of protein foods, bad habits, endocrine diseases, hormonal imbalance and much more. Experts call the phenomenon uridrosis. A pathology in which a significant amount of waste containing nitrogenous compounds is released through sweat - urea, uric acid.

Why does your body smell like urine?

The smell of human skin also indicates various diseases. If the skin exudes a “urine” odor, there can be many provocateurs.

Causes of unpleasant odor:

  • In kidney failure, the skin has an ammonia aroma due to the accumulation of residual nitrogen in the blood plasma.
  • Bad “urine” body odor after long-term drug treatment is due to the accumulation of some active components of the drugs. More often this occurs after taking diuretics, drugs to lower blood pressure, cytostatics and hormonal drugs.
  • The reflection of an unpleasant odor on the skin during inflammation is explained by severe intoxication of the body and the intensive removal of pathogens through the pores. Usually after recovery the condition returns to normal.

This problem definitely needs to be treated. Lack of therapy leads to psychological problems, reclusiveness, and severe mental disorders.

What is salt diathesis of the kidneys and why is it dangerous?

Have you been trying to cure your KIDNEYS for many years?

Head of the Institute of Nephrology: “You will be amazed at how easy it is to heal your kidneys just by taking it every day.

Salt diathesis of the kidneys is a fairly common phenomenon. In most cases, this condition is a harbinger of a much more serious pathology - urolithiasis.

Salt diathesis can hardly be called an exclusively nephrological disease.

Basically, its cause is a complex of a number of different factors, ranging from systemic pathologies of the body to lifestyle and diet.

Therefore, for effective treatment of salt diathesis, it is necessary to eliminate everything that can have such a negative effect on the kidneys.

Structure of the urinary system

Urine formation occurs in the kidneys. During this process, many functions are performed:

  • filtering and cleansing the blood of nitrogenous wastes and end products of the breakdown of foreign compounds that have entered the body, for example, some poisons and medications are broken down in the kidneys;
  • regulation of the concentration of electrolytes in the body, their excess is excreted in the urine;
  • maintaining a constant volume of intercellular and intracellular fluid in all organs and tissues;
  • maintaining a stable level of blood pressure by removing excess fluid and elements such as sodium, potassium, chlorides, etc.;

Diagnostics

If a woman’s urine smells like ammonia, she should immediately contact a specialist. During diagnosis, it is important to assess the patient’s condition, so the time of appearance of the foul smell of urine is taken into account, as well as the presence of other symptoms that indicate the development of a pathological process in the body. For example, pain during urination, itching, hyperthermia, nausea, etc. In addition, you should remember well your dietary habits, as well as drinks and pills that were consumed the day before the unpleasant odor appeared.

Ammonia is a product of protein metabolism, which normally does not exceed 0.5-1.5 g of daily diuresis. To assess abnormalities, it is necessary to donate blood and urine for a general clinical examination. Gemma is also undergoing biochemical analysis. The study results paid special attention to the levels of sugar, protein, creatinine and bilirubin. Urine will be required for analysis according to Nechiporenko, which is carried out to study the daily volume.

The presence of pathological processes in the kidneys and other organs of the urinary system is indicated by an increased level of leukocytes, bacteria, red blood cells, ammonium urate, epithelium, casts and the presence of pus. Pain syndrome also occurs in the lumbar region and/or when urinating in the perineum and urethra, which is accompanied by burning and itching. During the inflammatory process, body temperature rises and symptoms of intoxication occur.

In diabetes mellitus, daily diuresis includes 10-50 g of ammonia, the volume increases to 3 liters. Possible nighttime incontinence and itching in the perineal area. At the same time, the woman experiences a constant feeling of hunger, thirst, dry mouth, and her urine stinks of acetone. Against the background of metabolic disorders, body weight rapidly increases, and dermatological problems are possible.

Differential diagnosis of liver diseases involves assessing the symptomatic picture, which includes pain in the right side, changes in the color of the skin and eyeballs (I become jaundiced), swelling, unpleasant taste in the mouth, intoxication, bloating, hemorrhages (skin, uterine, nasal).

Often the cause may be a hormonal imbalance. When a woman has a pituitary adenoma, her menstrual cycle is disrupted, milk is released from the breast, pain and symptoms of intoxication develop.

Instrumental diagnostic methods play an important role in making a diagnosis. To determine the localization of the pathological process in the kidneys, liver, thyroid gland or pituitary gland, ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are performed.

What do different types of unpleasant odors indicate?

Disgusting aromas can signal the initial stages of the formation of serious diseases. The diagnosis is clarified by the specific odor with which the patient’s urine thaws.

Smell of acetone

A pungent aroma indicates the possible presence of the following pathological abnormalities:

  • about oncological processes in the stomach;
  • diabetes mellitus;
  • incorrectly selected daily diet, with a predominance of fat and protein components;
  • chronic elevated body temperature;
  • exhaustion formed due to the dietary table;
  • fasting;
  • excessive physical activity for the body.

What does the absence or presence of aromas indicate? Normally, the body removes acetone in small volumes using the kidneys, but if a strong odor occurs, the deviation indicates pathological signs of its presence in the body.

Ammonia smell

Nitrogen compounds are constantly present in the biological fluid of every patient. A pungent ammonia smell indicates the occurrence of the following diseases:

  • inflammation that has captured one of the parts of the urinary tract - cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis;
  • liver diseases;
  • urine smells like ammonia due to insufficient kidney function;
  • diabetes mellitus;
  • oncological problems - in this option, not only the smell, but also the color of urine changes.

Sometimes the clinical manifestation is not related to the pathology. Extraneous aromas appear in patients who consume calcium and iron in high dosages, when holding back the urge to urinate for a long time - this is why urine smells like ammonia alcohol.

Sour smell

A biological fluid that smells like yeast is a sign of a fungal infection in the body. Similar symptoms can be observed with candidiasis and candidal urethritis. Along with the smell, accompanying symptoms appear:

  • cloudy urine;
  • discharge of a cheesy secretion from the vagina with lumps or flakes;
  • obsessive itching in the genital area;
  • the appearance of a whitish coating on the mucous membranes and skin of the labia.

Sour urine odor requires visiting a dermatologist and receiving a treatment regimen.

Fishy smell

Common sources of foul odor include diseases transmitted between sexual partners. The stench resembles the smell of rotten fish; the symptoms accompany the following pathologies, which are presented:

  1. Trichomoniasis - a disease formed by the penetration of trichomonas. Primary signs of the disease are recorded a month after the moment of infection. Foamy discharge with a specific odor comes out of the vagina, swelling of the genital organs and a change in their color are observed. Pain occurs during sexual intercourse. Patients are haunted by the aroma of rotting.
  2. Chlamydia - penetration of chlamydia occurs during vaginal and anal sex. The primary signs of the disease are discomfort that occurs when emptying the bladder. A non-standard secretion is released from the vagina, sometimes containing blood particles. Girls complain of discomfort in the lower abdominal segment.
  3. Ureaplasmosis - an infectious process quickly invades the area of ​​the uterine appendages. The pathological process can lead to serious complications, including infertility. Some patients develop urolithiasis in the absence of a timely course of therapy.
  4. Mycoplasmosis – infiltrated pathogenic microflora becomes a source of development of pyelonephritis, inflammation in the urethra, and bacterial vaginosis. Mycoplasma can provoke numerous complications. The level of odor changes as the disease progresses.
  5. Gonorrhea - registered at the time of penetration of gonococcal infection. After the incubation period, particles of pus are recorded in the discharge. Emptying the bladder is accompanied by pain, and patients suffer from obsessive itching and discomfort in the genitals. The urine smells unbearably, especially in the morning.

Other sources of the aroma of rotten fish are represented by trimethylaminuria. Pathology refers to genetic problems with impaired regulation of the production of liver enzymes.

Sweet smell

Leucinosis refers to the prerequisites for the occurrence of a sweetish odor from urine. The disease is hereditary and is associated with abnormalities in the production of enzymes responsible for the breakdown of amino acids. The result of the pathology is the accumulation of decay products in cellular structures and the subsequent exacerbation of the disease.

Secondary symptomatic manifestations of the disease are characterized by the appearance of seizures, problems with coordination of movement, and sudden vomiting. The disease cannot be treated; patients are forced to follow a specific diet all their lives - this is the only way to get rid of foreign aroma.

Smell like rodents

Phenylketonuria is the source of the acrid smell of mold or the aroma of mice. The pathology is characterized by deviations in metabolic processes, as a result of which an accumulation of phenylalanine is recorded in the body. The result of the disease is a disruption of the metabolic processes of protein elements.

Rotten smell

Penetration of E. coli into the urinary tract is accompanied by a pungent odor of hydrogen sulfide. The reasons for the development of the disease are violation of genital hygiene requirements or sex with a carrier without the use of personal protective equipment.

When it enters the ureter, the bacterium attaches to its walls and begins to gradually ascend to the bladder. A decrease in the efficiency of the autoimmune system contributes to the active proliferation of E. coli. Patients note:

  • apathy, loss of strength;
  • increased urge to urinate;
  • urine has a pungent smell of rotten eggs;
  • decreased ability to work;
  • the biological fluid contains particles of pus and blood.

Overindulging in asparagus can also cause your urine to smell like rotten eggs. After stopping its use, the unpleasant odor disappears after six hours. As an exception, a foul odor is present in certain cancer processes - this is why women's urine smells unpleasant.

What information does the smell of urine convey?

There are several categories of specific urine odors that indicate various pathologies:

  • Fishy smell - a large amount of trimethylamine accumulates in the body; the toxic substance affects the functioning of the urinary and reproductive systems. The main reason is the development of an infectious disease. As a result of their activity, harmful bacteria and microorganisms produce a specific substance that causes a similar odor.
  • The sharp and unpleasant smell of acetone is a clear sign of the development of diabetes; a general blood test is a prerequisite. It is worth noting that people who follow a strict diet for a long time suffer from the manifestation of this disease.
  • The smell of spoiled eggs will indicate the spread of kidney failure and other pathologies associated with the functioning of the excretory system.

Ammonia odor is a problem of lack of balanced nutrition and dehydration of the body. However, if the trigger is the presence of an infection localized in the genitourinary system, treatment should be started immediately.

Human diseases

Due to sexually transmitted infections

The smell of urine often accompanies women infected with sexually transmitted infections. A sexually transmitted infection is characterized by a pungent, pungent, unpleasant odor of urine, the causes of which are very difficult to understand. Even after careful and repeated hygiene, it does not disappear. It happens not only after urination . In the case of sexually transmitted infections, the main factor why urine smells is the active proliferation of pathogenic bacteria . STDs are also characterized by a burning sensation when urinating and cloudy discharge. Rashes often appear.

You can eliminate smelly urine only by fighting off the infection. In the case of STDs, this is quite difficult: therapy takes a long time and requires an integrated approach. If the causes of unpleasant odor in urine are incorrectly identified by the doctor, a serious complication will certainly develop. Therefore, in this case, you cannot hesitate to visit a specialist, or turn to untested doctors.

To get rid of the fishy smell of urine if you suspect an STD, you will need to be tested for urethritis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. It is these three diseases that are most often expressed through this symptom. Additional tests for less common infections may also be ordered.

Urethritis

Urethritis is one of the most common congestive infectious diseases. It causes a persistent chemical smell of urine, as well as other symptoms:

  • pain when urinating;
  • discharge of pus;
  • redness of the external genitalia;
  • itching during menstruation.

Also characteristic is cloudy urine, the specific odor of which intensifies every day. Urethritis is considered more common in men and is not dangerous for women. However, it causes a lot of inconvenience and requires treatment.

This disease is transmitted through sexual contact, but does not enter the active phase immediately. The development of pathology can be provoked by decreased immunity, poor nutrition, and mechanical barriers in the urethra.

Gonorrhea

The appearance of a fishy smell from urine is one of the main, although not specific, symptoms of gonorrhea. This STD is dangerous to the patient's health and can lead to infertility, fetal death or miscarriage, as well as menstrual irregularities. Gonorrhea begins to develop immediately after infection with it, even if the patient has a strong immune system. It affects not only the urinary canals, but also the fallopian tube. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:

The appearance of a fishy smell from urine is one of the main, although not specific, symptoms of gonorrhea.

  • the appearance of mucous discharge with the smell of urine;
  • smelly, purulent fluid that accumulates on the external genitalia and in the urine;
  • pelvic pain;
  • swelling in the perineum;
  • severe itching.

At the first signs of gonorrhea, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Chlamydia and trichomoniasis

The smell of urine, coupled with an increase in body temperature, inflammation of the vagina and damage to the teeth and joints is one of the characteristic symptomatic pictures of chlamydia. This disease is caused by protozoan single-celled organisms. Similar single-celled organisms also provoke trichomoniasis. However, this disease is not expressed so clearly: the symptoms are limited to itching and burning of the genitals, as well as the pungent odor of urine in women.

Symptoms of chlamydia do not always appear immediately. The disease can go unnoticed for a long time. Only the smell of urine can indicate it in the early stages. Then joint damage and conjunctivitis gradually develop. Body temperature may rise to 38 degrees. Chlamydia eventually affects almost all systems of the body and poses a serious health hazard.

Trichomoniasis is not as dangerous, but can cause miscarriage. Both diseases take a long time and are difficult to treat, since the pathogens are integrated into the structure of the body’s cells.

Mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis

Mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas are opportunistic microorganisms that are dangerous only when the immune system is weakened. Symptoms of mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis:

  • bright yellow urine with an unpleasant odor;
  • pain during sexual intercourse;
  • mucous discharge;
  • frequent urge to go to the toilet.

Mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis are particularly dangerous if they develop simultaneously with chlamydia. This infection can lead to infertility.

Natural causes

The odor is often described as a strong odor like rotten eggs or rotten fish, or urine is said to smell like bleach. The main thing is that such a change in aroma always raises the suspicion that something is wrong in the body. Let's try to understand the causes and treatment of this phenomenon in an adult. Even if the urine smells like ammonia or ammonia, this is not always a symptom of the disease. Before you panic, you should check for physiological factors that change the smell of urine:

  • Mainly protein diet. Proteins consist of amino acids, from which ammonia is formed during metabolism in the liver. This means that the more protein you eat, the more waste in the form of ammonia must be removed from the body through urine and the stronger the urine will smell.
  • Not drinking enough or being dehydrated. If you have drunk little fluid in the last few days or have been sweating excessively, the amount of water in your urine will be less, resulting in a relatively higher ammonia content. This concentrated urine is darker in color and has a strong odor.
  • Female body. There are a number of reasons why urine smells like ammonia in women more often than in men. The proximity of the vagina with its specific microflora to the urethra facilitates the penetration of bacteria that produce ammonia. The number of these bacteria depends on the presence of an imbalance in the vaginal microflora (vaginosis). The main hormone that regulates vaginal microflora and protects against genitourinary infections is estrogen. A decrease in its amount is observed during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause due to hormonal changes in the body.
  • Prolonged retention of urine. If the urine is fresh? then it has almost no smell. If you do not empty your bladder in time, the urea will begin to break down into ammonia particles, and the urine will smell of hydrogen sulfide.
  • Taking some vitamins (especially group B), dietary supplements, using hot herbs and spices (garlic, horseradish, asparagus).
  • If the urine collected for analysis is not covered with a lid, it will begin to oxidize and begin to smell as if it is “rotten.”

Usually, a physiological reason increases the smell of urine only for a short time. When urine smells like ammonia for a long time, this may mean that the function of some organ in our body is impaired.

The child’s urine has changed smell - what does this mean?

Normal feces in childhood do not have any odor. Only after a few years of life, the child’s urine begins to “smell” in the same way as that of an adult. Many parents who have had to deal with changes in the physical parameters of their baby’s urine are interested in what the pungent odor of urine in children indicates; is it worth visiting a pediatrician if such a symptom is detected? The causes of the acrid odor of urine in children are similar to those in adults:

  1. If a baby suffers from any hereditary disease, his urine already has an unpleasant odor at the beginning of life. Hereditary pathologies of newborns are diagnosed in the maternity hospital, and therapeutic therapy is carried out there.
  2. Yellow, concentrated urine in a child indicates a lack of fluid in the small body. Such symptoms may be accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Such conditions arise against the background of the development of pathologies of an infectious nature. To help the child, parents should give him as much liquid to drink as possible.
  3. An unpleasant odor from the urine of a newborn baby sometimes comes from the action of factors that are externally localized. For example, if a nursing mother changes her diet, eats sauerkraut, seeds or drinks alcohol, this affects the change in the physical characteristics of urine. The smell of urine should also change when the baby is switched to other artificial formulas or complementary foods are added.

Often, a child’s urine changes its smell due to the action of banal factors. Parents should not ignore this fact. They should consult with their pediatrician regarding discolored urine, even if the baby has no complaints.

Possible diseases due to the specific aroma of urine

Human urine should normally have no odor. If it begins to emit foreign aromas, this means that the urinary system has been attacked by some kind of disease. For example:

  • pyelonephritis;
  • cystitis;
  • urethritis.

Pathogenic bacteria entering urine cause the acrid smell of urine. For example, the cause of cystitis may be drug-related or infectious. Sometimes this disease develops during long-term drug therapy. The cause of the putrid and pungent odor of urine is progressive inflammation, accompanied by the accumulation of pus.

When determining the source of the unpleasant aroma of urine, the gender of the patient also matters. For example, in men, a change in the smell of urine often indicates a malfunction of the prostate gland or the onset of prostatitis (in which urination is difficult and pain occurs in the perineum).

In addition, in males, an increase in the smell of urine is caused by a number of factors:

  • progressive spread of genitourinary infections;
  • lack of water in the body;
  • diabetes;
  • acute liver failure;
  • long-term intake of B6 vitamins;
  • kidney infection.

Women's urine often changes its odor after sexual intercourse, due to changes in the vaginal microflora. This situation often occurs in women who suffer from thrush, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea or other sexually transmitted diseases.

A bad odor from urine often becomes the only symptom of diseases affecting the genitourinary or excretory system. It appears at an early stage of pathology development and makes it possible to identify it before other signs appear.

Unpleasant urine odor - why does it occur?

An unpleasant smell of urine is a characteristic sign of some abnormality in the body in general and in the urinary system in particular.
This symptom should worry a person. Normally, urine has a slight special odor that does not have an unpleasant tint. The smell of healthy urine comes from the breakdown of protein and the formation of ammonia.

Urine is an almost sterile liquid. It is popularly used as a remedy for many disorders.

In case of any disease, waste products of bacteria are eliminated through urine. And if there are changes in urine - color, smell, consistency - this is a good reason to visit a therapist and get tested to determine the causes of this disorder.

Types of unpleasant odor

  • The smell of acetone appears with ketonuria, which may be evidence of diabetes mellitus, starvation, severe infections, dehydration, and sometimes during pregnancy;
  • The smell of stool indicates the presence of an infection due to E. coli;
  • A foul odor may occur when there is pus in the urine;
  • The smell of sweaty feet is a manifestation of hereditary enzymopathies;
  • A musty or mousey odor appears with phenylketonuria;
  • A maple syrup smell is a sign of maple syrup disease;
  • The smell of cabbage is a malfunction of amino acid absorption;
  • The smell of rotten fish is observed with trimethylaminuria;
  • The smell of hops is a disease of the hop dryer;
  • The cloying odor in diabetes mellitus appears due to an increase in the content of glucose metabolic products in it;
  • A “pharmacy” smell indicates a disorder of the urinary system;
  • Unpleasant odor of urine in the morning can occur during pregnancy;
  • If urine has an unpleasant, pungent odor, this may indicate inflammatory processes in the organs of the urinary system.

Prevention and treatment process

A discharge that deviates from the norm should alert a person and force him to make an appointment with a doctor. Experts say the patient must pay attention to his daily diet, the amount of food consumed, and the intake of medications.

The body must receive a daily share of the necessary substances for normal functioning. It is recommended to minimize the consumption of harmful trans fats found in fast food. Spicy food provokes subsystem failures and improper functioning of the urinary system.

Infectious diseases require the use of strong antibiotics. Depending on the specific case, each drug is selected individually. This also applies to its dosage. When taking an anamnesis, the specialist takes into account the presence of an allergic reaction and the characteristics of the body. They can worsen the patient's condition and lead to surges in temperature and pressure in people of different ages.

During treatment, it is recommended to carefully monitor the condition and color of urine. If the symptoms only worsened, the course of treatment was chosen incorrectly, the patient’s therapy requires mandatory adjustment, and the patient is hospitalized for a full examination.

Determining the color of urine

When a woman’s urine smells like ammonia, this is a serious reason to go to the antenatal clinic, get tested, and cleanse the body. The procedures are carried out to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections. The patient is required to bring a sexual partner for examination; diseases are sexually transmitted. The likelihood of cure decreases with unprotected sex.

The lack of adequate therapy, the appearance of concomitant diseases and problems will lead to consequences such as infertility or disturbances in the functioning of the excretory system.

Men should also pay attention to the smell of urine; this will allow them to collect information about the development of serious pathologies and infectious diseases that affect the functions of the reproductive system. Urine in men and its characteristics are indicators of their health.

Folk remedies

They help cope with the unpleasant odor of urine and are used in parallel with the main methods of therapy.

  • Baking soda with soap. Laundry soap - 1 bar, rub on a fine grater, add 1 glass of water, cook until completely dissolved, add 1 tbsp. A spoon of baking soda. Used daily.
  • Oak bark. Disinfects, relieves inflammation, eliminates odor. Pour 5 tbsp. 500 ml of water spoons of bark, boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Let it brew for 2 hours, wipe the skin several times a day.
  • Apple vinegar. For 100 ml of water at room temperature, 1 dessert spoon of vinegar. Moisten gauze, a cotton pad, and wipe problem areas after water procedures. Be sure to use the vinegar solution before going to bed.
  • Hydrogen peroxide. Mix with water in a ratio of 1:20. Wipe the skin.
  • Lemon juice with soda. Take a teaspoon of baking soda and add the fresh juice of one lemon. Used to wipe problem areas.
  • Homemade antiperspirant. Combine soda in equal proportions, corn starch - 1 tbsp. Spoon. Add 5 tbsp. Spoons of cocoa butter. Mix thoroughly. Store on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

When the smell of urine appears in sweat, associated with temporary exposure to provoking factors, the problem is quickly eliminated. Does not appear again if unfavorable factors are eliminated.

Physiological reasons

There may be physiological reasons for foul-smelling urine. These include:

  • Climax. During this period, changes occur in the female body, the production of the hormone estrogen, which is responsible for reproductive function and resistance to infections, decreases.
  • Long-term intake of vitamins and dietary supplements. Some of them give urine the smell of acetone. This is especially true for B vitamins.
  • Dehydration. The cause may be vomiting, indigestion, or increased sweating. Lack of moisture in the body causes slagging of the urinary organs. Therefore, the natural process of urine formation is disrupted. A healthy person excretes one and a half liters of water per day. You need to drink the same amount of liquid. If there is not enough fluid, the urine becomes highly concentrated with a specific odor.
  • Prolonged urinary retention. If the bladder has not been emptied for a long time, the urine may change in odor. The longer the delay, the stronger the smell. Frequently holding back urine can cause various diseases of the urinary system.
  • During menstruation, urine may also change odor. This occurs due to changes in hormonal levels and microflora.
  • Long-term and uncontrolled use of medications can cause disruption of metabolic processes in the body and, as a result, an ammonia-like odor of urine may appear. This often occurs with an excess of calcium and iron in the body, as well as the use of antibiotics.
  • Gives smell to urine and food. This is especially true for spicy, fatty and salty dishes. Alcohol, soda water, asparagus and garlic also have an effect.

Special attention should be paid to athletes who intensively build muscle in the gym. They spend a lot of energy and replenish it irrationally. Their urine smell may change due to eating a large amount of protein foods and a lack of carbohydrates.

What non-infectious diseases cause urine to smell bad?

The unpleasant odor of ammonia in the urine in women and men can occur due to the following disorders of protein or fat metabolism in the body:

  • Liver diseases (disruption of the process of formation of urea from ammonia, and the release of free ammonia in the urine).
  • Diabetes . Diabetic urine begins to smell like acetone or sour apples. Why is there so much acetone in urine? Acetone is the end product of fatty acid metabolism and its amount in urine increases if the body switches to using fatty acids as an energy source (instead of glucose, which it can no longer absorb). The same thing happens if we fast or eat a lot of fatty foods and few carbohydrates.
  • Genetic diseases , when the body has a deficiency or complete absence of any enzyme that takes part in the metabolism of amino acids (phenylketonuria).

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. For example, when a specific diet causes an unpleasant odor, then to get rid of it it is enough to make changes to your diet.

Maintaining water balance

You can get rid of dehydration by drinking large volumes of liquid.

Regularly drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water every day will help prevent dehydration.

If a person notices that their urine is dark and smells like ammonia, they should increase their water intake to see if the unpleasant odor is due to dehydration.

To prevent dehydration, people can avoid excessive sweating or being in hot environments.

Avoiding certain foods

Anyone who consumes large amounts of foods that cause ammonia odor in their urine can easily get rid of the odor by eliminating these foods from their diet.

Sometimes it is also possible to reduce the smell of urine by reducing the doses of medications and vitamins taken.

More frequent urination

Most people head to the toilet to urinate when their bladder is full. However, holding urine can increase its concentration and increase the odor. Going to the toilet more often can reduce the smell of urine.

Intimate hygiene

If a strong ammonia odor occurs, it is extremely important to maintain proper genital hygiene. The intimate area should be washed well while taking a bath or shower and then dried thoroughly.

It is also a good idea to completely empty your bladder when urinating to avoid dripping urine on your clothes. If necessary, you can rinse your genitals with water or simply wipe them with toilet paper. This will help minimize the development of bacteria that cause infections and an ammonia odor in the urine.

Diagnostic measures and treatment features

To find out why a condition has developed that has caused the strong smell of urine, the patient must visit a medical facility and undergo a series of tests, including instrumental and laboratory measures.
In the laboratory, the patient’s urine is examined, the level of leukocytes, protein and red blood cells in it is determined. For greater detail of the study, MRI, ultrasound, urography, and computed tomography of the kidneys are performed. An accurate diagnosis allows the doctor to develop the correct treatment regimen and select effective medications. If a person’s urine changes its smell, it means that pathological processes are occurring in the body that require treatment.

The therapeutic course is developed taking into account the physical characteristics of urine:

  1. Sweet urine with the scent of acetone requires a review of your diet. Remove sweet and spicy foods from your menu, replacing them with natural honey. Do not eat fatty foods, give preference to alkaline water. If the measures taken do not lead to an improvement in the condition, contact a specialized medical center. There you will be able to take the necessary tests and receive high-quality treatment according to a plan that will be individually developed by the doctor.
  2. If urine produces an unpleasant odor in the morning, you need to choose diuretics or antibiotics. They will help restore the full functioning of the urinary organs and eliminate the inflammatory process. The patient also needs to drink more fluids.
  3. The urine will smell like ammonia if a bacterial inflammatory process has developed in the genitourinary organs. To cure the patient, a medical specialist selects a therapeutic complex, including antibacterial and auxiliary drugs. At home, you can add folk remedies (for example, rosehip decoction) to drug treatment.
  4. The smell of rot from urine can be eliminated with the help of antibacterial tablets. Rinsing with a decoction of chamomile will also be useful. To prepare it, take 1 tbsp. l. flowers, pour 200 ml of hot water, infuse and cool before use. Washing is carried out using an enema, 2 times a day.
  5. A moldy odor coming from urine may indicate that a person suffers from the hereditary disease phenylketonuria. The course of drug treatment in this case is developed by the doctor, and at home the patient must take care of changing the diet. It is worth excluding foods that contain animal protein from the menu. It is better to give preference to foods of plant origin.
  6. Urine with a sour aroma appears more often in women with disturbed vaginal microflora or when a fungal infection enters the genitourinary tract. Therapeutic therapy involves the use of drugs containing fluconazole (tablets or suppositories).
  7. Sometimes urine produces a foul odor after sex. This means that a fungal infection has entered the woman's vagina or the balance of lactic acid is disturbed. At home, you can solve this problem with the help of enemas with chamomile decoction. In this case, medications in the form of tablets and vaginal suppositories will also help.
  8. A rancid oil smell from urine indicates high methionine levels. An infusion of fresh dill will help solve the problem. To prepare the product, you need to take 2 tbsp. plants, pour 250 ml of boiling water over it, leave for 30 minutes. The infusion should be drunk before each meal during the day.
  9. If foul odor of urine occurs against the background of prostatitis and is accompanied by an increase in temperature, the patient must first of all obtain advice and a treatment regimen from his doctor. Additionally, you can use a decoction of parsley seeds and leaves at home. To prepare it, take 0.5 cups of raw materials, add 300 ml of hot water and infuse. It is recommended to drink the decoction before meals.

Treatment measures for unpleasant odor of urine are aimed at eliminating the root cause of its occurrence. If you care about your health, undergo a full examination at the hospital, which will help you find out why your urine has changed its smell.

This was probably due to a hidden infection in the genitourinary tract or eating poor quality food. In any case, a medical examination will help you quickly understand and undergo a course of treatment.

Urogenital infection and unpleasant odors in urine

Pathogenic bacteria decompose urea and “release ammonia,” and some are able to produce it themselves. Therefore, with acute or chronic inflammation or infection of any part of the genitourinary system, the smell of ammonia increases in the urine. The following diseases may be the causes:

  • Urethritis, which causes pain and pain during urination, sometimes bleeding at the very beginning - initial hematuria.
  • Cystitis (pain and frequent urge to urinate, feeling of incomplete emptying, blood at the end of urination - terminal hematuria). It is important to know that with mild to moderate cystitis, an increase in body temperature is not observed if there are no other infections in the body. The fact is that the mucous membrane of the bladder prevents the penetration of microorganisms and their toxins into the blood.
  • Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the pyelocaliceal system of the kidney, where urine is secreted. Complaints with pyelonephritis are quite typical: aching, dull pain in the lower back (usually one-sided, spreading towards the thigh), painful urination (concomitant cystitis). There is foul-smelling cloudy urine, sometimes with the smell of rot, signs of intoxication of the body (high temperature, chills, transient fever may be observed with periods when normal body temperature is recorded), bloody urine (blood is released during the entire act of urination - total hematuria).
  • Infection of the genital organs, incl. and specific (gonorrhea, chlamydia, tuberculosis), can spread to the urinary system. At the same time, it smells rotten not only from urine, but also from discharge from the genitals.
  • Bacterial vaginosis (gardnerellosis) and thrush (vaginal candidiasis) are not infections, but only dysbacteriosis of the vaginal microflora. However, they also manifest themselves as discharge that smells “fishy.” When the prostate gland is inflamed in men, the urine smells like rotten eggs.
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