Types & Causes
Haematuria may be visible (gross) — pink, red or cola-coloured urine — or microscopic, found only on a urine test. Common causes include:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Kidney or bladder stones
- Enlarged prostate (BPH)
- Bladder or kidney tumours (which is why investigation matters)
- Kidney inflammation (glomerular disease)
Even a single episode of visible blood in the urine warrants assessment.
Why It Must Be Investigated
Although many causes are benign, painless visible haematuria can be the first and only warning sign of bladder or kidney cancer — and early detection greatly improves outcomes. A urologist investigates to find or exclude a serious cause, rather than assuming it's 'just an infection'.
Tests a Urologist May Run
- Urine tests: Urinalysis, culture, and urine cytology (to look for abnormal cells).
- Imaging: Ultrasound or CT urogram of the kidneys, ureters and bladder.
- Cystoscopy: A thin camera passed into the bladder to inspect the lining directly — the key test to exclude bladder tumours.
When to See a Doctor Urgently
See a doctor promptly for any visible blood in the urine, blood with clots, or blood with pain or fever. Don't wait for it to recur — investigation is the same whether it happens once or repeatedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Browse urologists →Not always — common causes include UTIs and stones. But because painless visible blood in the urine can be the first sign of bladder or kidney cancer, it should always be assessed by a doctor rather than ignored.
Typically urine tests (including cytology), imaging of the urinary tract (ultrasound or CT urogram), and often a cystoscopy — a camera examination of the bladder — to directly inspect for any abnormality. The exact tests depend on your risk factors.
A urology consultation with urine tests and an ultrasound may total roughly S$300–S$800 privately; a CT urogram and cystoscopy add more (cystoscopy roughly S$800–S$2,000+). Subsidised rates apply at public hospitals with referral. Investigations are Medisave-claimable where applicable.
Yes — urinary tract infections are a common cause of blood in the urine, usually with burning and frequency. However, a doctor should still confirm the cause and ensure the bleeding fully resolves after treatment, as other causes can coexist.
General information only — not medical advice. Always verify a doctor’s SMC registration and discuss your individual circumstances with a qualified specialist.