Kencing berdarah (blood in the urine, or haematuria) can make your pee look pink, red or dark brown, and it should always be checked by a doctor, even if it happens once and does not hurt. It is usually not serious: common causes include urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones and, in men over 50, an enlarged prostate. But it can sometimes be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer, which is easier to treat when found early. Before you worry, consider whether it could be your period, beetroot or a new medicine. Get an urgent appointment for any blood in your pee, and emergency help if you are confused or drowsy with signs of infection, or cannot pee at all.
What is kencing berdarah (blood in urine)?
According to the NHS, blood in the pee can come from anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, the bladder or the urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body). It may look bright pink, red or dark brown. Sometimes blood is only found when a urine sample is tested.
The NHS says blood in the pee is not usually anything serious, but it is important to get medical help, even if there is only a small amount or you are not sure it is blood.
When to get help
According to the NHS, ask for an urgent appointment with a doctor if you have blood in your pee or think you may have, even if:
- you do not have any other symptoms;
- it is the first time it has happened;
- there is only a small amount;
- you are not sure if it is blood.
Go to the emergency department or call 999 if you have symptoms of a kidney infection and are confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking. Also get urgent help if you cannot pee at all.
Punca kencing berdarah: common causes
Other symptoms can give a clue to the cause, but the NHS advises not to self-diagnose:
| Other symptoms | Possible cause | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Burning pain when peeing, needing to pee often, smelly or cloudy pee, high temperature, pain in your sides or lower back | Urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney infection | UTI symptoms |
| Bad pain in your side, lower back or groin that comes and goes, unable to lie still, feeling sick | Kidney stones | Batu karang |
| Man over 50: difficulty peeing, needing to pee suddenly and often, waking at night to pee | Enlarged prostate | Prostat |
| Pain or burning when peeing, discharge from the vagina or penis, days or weeks after sex without a condom | Urethritis, often from a sexually transmitted infection | — |
| Dark or frothy pee, swelling of the legs, high blood pressure | Glomerulonephritis (damage to the kidney's filters) | Sakit buah pinggang |
| Blood with no pain, especially over 60 or in smokers; frequent UTIs, weight loss | Bladder cancer | — |
| Pain between the ribs and waist that does not go away, a lump in the back or side, weight loss, tiredness | Kidney cancer | — |
Sources: NHS pages on blood in urine, kidney infection, kidney stones, urethritis, glomerulonephritis, bladder cancer and kidney cancer.
Kidney infection is a painful type of UTI that can be serious if it is not treated, as it can cause sepsis. According to the NHS, get urgent help if you may have a kidney infection and have a very high or low temperature, pain in your lower tummy or in your back just under the ribs, blood in your pee, or you are being sick.
Kencing berdarah tapi tidak sakit: blood without pain
Many people search for kencing berdarah tapi tidak terasa sakit (blood in the pee without pain). This should be taken seriously:
- According to the NHS, blood in the pee is the main symptom of bladder cancer. Other symptoms can include pain when peeing, frequent UTIs, needing to pee often or suddenly, weight loss and tiredness.
- Kidney cancer often has no obvious symptoms, but when it does, blood in the pee is one of them.
- Severe glomerulonephritis can cause dark pee from blood, while mild cases may only be found when urine is tested.
According to the NHS, blood in the pee is not usually anything serious. But because it can be a sign of cancer, and cancer may be easier to treat if found early, the NHS advises getting it checked urgently.
According to the NHS, you may be more likely to get bladder cancer if you are over 60, are a man, smoke or use chewing tobacco, are overweight, have diabetes, have had a urinary catheter for a long time, have a close relative with bladder cancer, or have worked with certain chemicals, such as in the textile industry or with carbon or crude oil.
Kencing berdarah pada wanita
- UTIs are a common cause; look for burning when peeing, needing to go often or urgently, and cloudy or smelly pee (see UTI symptoms).
- Period or vaginal bleeding: the NHS says it may not be blood in the pee if it is happening during your period or you are bleeding from the vagina between periods. Bleeding between periods should itself be checked; see our guide to kanser serviks for the signs to watch for.
- Kidney stones and kidney infections can affect anyone.
- If you are pregnant and think you have a kidney infection, the NHS advises getting urgent help.
Kencing berdarah pada lelaki
- Enlarged prostate: common in men over 50, often with difficulty peeing, needing to go suddenly and often, and waking at night to pee. See our guides to prostat and kencing tak lawas.
- UTIs: the NHS advises men with UTI symptoms to see a doctor urgently.
- Urethritis: often caused by a sexually transmitted infection; it can cause pain when peeing, discharge from the penis and a sore tip of the penis.
- Bladder cancer is more common in men and in people over 60, especially smokers.
When red urine may not be blood
According to the NHS, it may not be blood in your pee if:
- you have recently eaten beetroot, which can turn pee pink;
- you are taking a new medicine, as some can turn pee red or brown;
- you are bleeding from your bottom instead;
- it is happening during your period;
- you are bleeding from your vagina between periods.
The NHS notes that dark or strong-smelling pee on its own may simply mean you have not been drinking enough water. If you are unsure, see a doctor; a simple urine test can check for blood.
What happens when you see a doctor?
According to the NHS, the doctor will ask about your symptoms and may:
- ask for a urine sample or arrange a blood test;
- examine you, which may include checking inside your bottom or vagina;
- prescribe antibiotics if they think you have an infection;
- refer you to a specialist for more tests, such as scans or a camera test to look inside the bladder.
In Malaysia, you can start at a klinik kesihatan or a GP. Try not to be embarrassed; doctors are used to talking about these symptoms.
Is there an ubat or petua for kencing berdarah?
There is no single ubat kencing berdarah, and no home remedy or petua treats the cause. Treatment depends on what is causing the bleeding, for example antibiotics for an infection, treatment for kidney stones or medicines for an enlarged prostate. Drinking enough water helps keep your urine light in colour and may help prevent some UTIs and kidney stones, but it does not replace a medical check.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What causes kencing berdarah (blood in urine)?
Blood in your pee can come from anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, bladder or urethra. According to the NHS, common causes include urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones and, in men over 50, an enlarged prostate. Less often it can be a sign of kidney disease or cancer of the bladder or kidney, which is why it should always be checked.
Is blood in urine without pain (kencing berdarah tapi tidak terasa sakit) serious?
It can be. According to the NHS, blood in the pee is the main symptom of bladder cancer, and you should get an urgent appointment even if you have no other symptoms, it is the first time, there is only a small amount, or you are not sure it is blood. Most cases are not cancer, but painless blood in the pee must be checked.
What does kencing berdarah mean for women (wanita)?
In women, a UTI is a common cause, often with burning when peeing and needing to go often. Before assuming it is blood in the urine, the NHS suggests considering whether it is your period or bleeding from the vagina between periods. Any blood in the pee that is not explained by your period should be checked by a doctor.
What does kencing berdarah mean for men (lelaki)?
In men, possible causes include a UTI, kidney stones and, over the age of 50, an enlarged prostate, which may also cause difficulty peeing and waking at night to pee. The NHS says men are more likely than women to get bladder cancer, and the risk is higher over 60 and in people who smoke, so blood in the pee should always be checked.
Can food make my urine look red?
Yes. According to the NHS, eating beetroot can turn your pee pink, and some medicines can turn pee red or brown. If you are not sure, see a doctor; a simple urine test can check for blood.
Is there a petua or ubat to stop kencing berdarah?
There is no home remedy that treats the cause of blood in the urine. The right treatment depends on the cause, for example antibiotics for an infection or treatment for kidney stones. Because blood in the pee can occasionally be a sign of cancer, get it checked rather than trying to treat it yourself.
When is kencing berdarah an emergency?
Get an urgent appointment for any blood in your pee. Go to the emergency department or call 999 if you also feel confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking, which can be a sign of a serious kidney infection, or if you cannot pee at all.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Blood in the urine should always be checked by a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
