Visible blood in the urine is not a typical symptom of interstitial cystitis (IC). However, in some cases, lab tests may show microscopic blood in the urine of people with IC.

Doctors refer to blood in the urine as hematuria. Visible urine in the blood is called gross hematuria, as opposed to microscopic hematuria, which refers to blood only visible under a microscope.

Doctors more commonly associate gross hematuria with other conditions, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, or bladder cancer.

If a person notices blood in their urine, it is important to consult a doctor to rule out these causes. Read on to learn more about the link between IC and bleeding.

A person with IC giving a sample of urine to a doctor to check for blood. -2Share on Pinterest
1720227954 Diabetologist doctor doing regular urine test for diabetic patient in diabetes clinic. Examining a urine sample to detect glucose, kidneys function, ketones or infections. Halfpoint Images/Getty Images

Visible blood in the urine is an uncommon symptom of interstitial cystitis (IC). However, doctors may detect microscopic amounts of blood in a person’s urine during an IC flare.

When the bladder wall becomes injured or irritated, it may release a small amount of red blood cells into the urine. Doctors will then detectTrusted Source the red blood cells in a urine sample.

However, microscopic white and red blood cells in the urine might alsoTrusted Source indicate a UTI, such as bacterial cystitis. Doctors will test for bacteria to rule this out. If an infection is a cause, doctors will prescribe antibiotics.

Visible blood in the urine, or gross hematuria, is not a typical symptom of IC. It can also indicate something more serious, so if a person notices it, they need to contact a doctor.

Gross hematuria mayTrusted Source make the urine appear reddish or pink. If the blood is old, it can also make the urine brown or tea-colored.

Possible serious of gross hematuria includeTrusted Source:

Other causes of blood in the urine include:

Symptoms of IC includeTrusted Source:

A person needs to discuss their symptoms with a doctor if they think they may have IC.

What kind of bladder infection causes bleeding?

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a condition that causes blood in the urine.

In hemorrhagic cystitis, the bladder lining becomes inflamed and starts to bleed. A person may notice blood in their urine and experience painful and frequent urination.

Possible causes of hemorrhagic cystitis include anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, or a bladder infection.

Is it natural to bleed with cystitis?

Noticeable bleeding is not a typical sign of cystitis, but it can occur in some cases.

A bacterial UTI can sometimes cause hemorrhagic cystitis, where blood is present in the urine.

Experiencing visible blood during a case of cystitis could also be due to severe inflammation of the bladder lining.

Other conditions that can cause visible blood in the urine include kidney stones or more serious issues such as bladder cancer.

If a person experiences bleeding along with cystitis symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

The relationship between smoking and bladder cancer is very strong. If a person who smokes sees blood in their urine, even if there are no other symptoms, they need to speak with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

What is end stage interstitial cystitis?

Doctors do not officially classify IC in stages.

However, end stage IC may referTrusted Source to a more advanced form of IC that causes more severe inflammation and scarring on the bladder. This could lead to other complications, such as bladder failure or Hunner’s ulcers.

By this stage, the condition can profoundly affect a person’s quality of life due to constant discomfort and an inability to store typical amounts of urine.

In very severe cases of IC that cause extreme discomfort, doctors may perform surgery to reroute urine away from the bladder.

Although IC may require lifelong management, it is not a life threatening condition and does not affect a person’s life expectancy.

Learn more about the outlook for IC.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) does not typically cause noticeable bleeding, but in some cases, microscopic blood may be present in the urine.

Visible bleeding is uncommon in IC and is more likely associated with other conditions such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or bladder cancer.

If bleeding occurs, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to rule out more serious causes.