Except for when you can’t find a bathroom when you desperately need one, you probably don’t give much thought to your pee. But there’s much more to urine—and urination—than you might think.
Urine is a waste product made by your kidneys. From the kidneys, it travels to the bladder. And when your bladder is full, you pee it out. So anything that affects how your kidneys and bladder function can be reflected in how your pee looks, smells and how often you go.
“Your doctor can get a lot of information about your health from analyzing a sample of your urine,” says Zena Bazzi, N.P., a nurse practitioner at Henry Ford Health. “But paying attention yourself can help you notice when something isn’t right.”
Decoding Urine Color
The color of your pee is worth noting because it can say a lot about your diet, how well hydrated you are and your overall health. “The ideal color of healthy urine is pale yellow,” says Bazzi. “This typically indicates that you are drinking enough water, and your system is functioning normally.”
Other shades of pee might indicate that things aren’t quite running as they should. Be on the lookout for urine that appears:
- Blue or green: This is rare and is typically caused by specific medications.
- Dark brown: Very dark urine can be a sign of severe dehydration or possibly of liver disease.
- Dark yellow: When you see dark, but still yellow, urine in the toilet, it means you need to drink more water.
- Orange: Certain medications, as well as high doses of some B vitamins, can create an orange tinge to your urine.
- Red or pink: Your pee can turn pinkish from eating certain foods (like beets or blackberries), but it can also be the result of blood in your urine.
What Does Cloudy Pee Mean?
Healthy urine should be a clear liquid. If what you’re seeing in the toilet is cloudy, milky or foamy, that can be a sign of infection or disease.
“Cloudiness is usually due to white blood cells in the urine,” says Bazzi. “This can sometimes mean you have a urinary tract infection or, more rarely, kidney stones.”
Other factors that can affect the look of your pee include:
- High amounts of phosphate are typically harmless but can make urine appear cloudy or milky.
- High protein in the urine can cause cloudy or foamy urine and can be a sign of kidney disease.
- Sexually transmitted infections can cause cloudy urine due to inflammation or white blood cells in the urine.
My Pee Smells Strange
“We all know certain foods, like asparagus, coffee or garlic can make your pee smell weird,” says Bazzi. “But if the odor is persistent or unrelated to food or medication, it could point to an underlying condition.”
Odors and what they might mean include:
- Ammonia smell can result from urinary tract infection
- Chemical smells (such as sulfur or bleach) can come from a metabolic or kidney disorder
- Fishy smell can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection or liver disease
- Fruity or sweet smell can indicate diabetes
How Often Should I Pee?
“Urinary frequency can tell you a lot about hydration, bladder health and underlying medical issues,” says Bazzi. “Most healthy adults urinate about 6 to 8 times per 24 hours, but anywhere from 4 to 10 times can still be normal.”
If you find yourself running to the bathroom more frequently throughout the day—and getting up two or more times during the night—lifestyle factors or medical issues may be to blame.
You may be drinking too much, or drinking things that irritate your bladder, such as coffee or alcohol. Frequent urination can also be a sign of medical conditions including overactive bladder, enlarged prostate or diabetes.
When to See the Doctor About Changes in Urination
“Changes in urination can be subtle, but they are sometimes the earliest clues that something is wrong,” says Bazzi. That’s why it’s important not to ignore any changes.
She recommends seeing your provider promptly if you notice:
- Changes in frequency or urgency of urination
- Changes in the appearance of your urine (not related to food or medicine)
- Painful urination
- Systemic symptoms (such as fever, chills, nausea) along with urinary symptoms
So next time you hit the bathroom, pay attention to your pee. It may be trying to tell you something.
Reviewed by Zena Bazzi, a nurse practitioner at Henry Ford Health who sees patients at Henry Ford Medical Center - Taylor.
