*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

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This Week - U : Urine Issues

Blood in urine (pee) is not usually caused by anything serious, but you must get it checked out by a GP.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You have blood in your pee, even if:

you do not have any other symptoms
it's the first time it's happened
there's only a small amount of blood
you're not sure it's blood

Blood in your pee may be bright pink, red or dark brown.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Cancer risk

Blood in pee must be checked out because it can be a sign of cancer. This is easier to treat if it's found early.

What happens at your appointment

If you have blood in your pee, a GP will ask about your symptoms and may need to check inside your bottom (rectal examination), and your vagina if you're a woman.

They might also:

ask for a pee sample or arrange a blood test
prescribe antibiotics if they think you have an infection
refer you to a specialist for tests

Causes of blood in urine

Blood in your pee could come from anywhere in the urinary tract - the bladder, kidneys or urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body).

If you have other symptoms, this might give you an idea of the cause. But do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you think it's blood in your pee.

Other symptoms	Possible cause
Burning pain when peeing, need to pee often, smelly or cloudy pee, high temperature, pain in sides or lower back	Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Bad pain in sides, lower back or groin that comes and goes, unable to lie still, feeling sick	Kidney stones
Older men (common in over-50s) finding it difficult to pee, needing to pee suddenly and often, waking up to pee in middle of the night	Enlarged prostate

When it might be something else

It may not be blood in your pee if:

you've recently eaten beetroot - this can turn your pee pink
you're taking a new medicine - some medicines can turn pee red or brown
you're bleeding from your bottom instead
it's happening during your period

More information

Find out more about blood in urine on the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) website

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We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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