FAQs
Common causes of smelly pee
What causes your urine to smell badly? ›
The amount of ammonia in your urine gives it a distinct smell. But especially strong-smelling urine can be a sign of dehydration, liver disease, or pregnancy. Urine has a natural odor that is unique to everyone. From time to time, you may notice that your urine occasionally has a stronger smell than it normally does.
What does the smell of your urine tell you? ›
Foul-smelling urine may be due to bacteria. Sweet-smelling urine may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes or a rare disease of metabolism. Liver disease and certain metabolic disorders may cause musty-smelling urine.
Can too much vitamin D cause urine to smell? ›
Foul-Smelling Urine: Vitamins & Medication
Kaaki says vitamin B and vitamin D can cause a similar smell. Keep in mind these vitamins are in most multivitamins. Dr. Kaaki says medication from the sulfa drug group can also cause your urine to smell bad.
Does smelly urine mean kidney problems? ›
Urine that smells like ammonia can develop due to dehydration and diet. It can also develop due to underlying conditions, such as UTIs and kidney disease. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. However, a person can take steps to prevent some causes, such as dehydration.
How can I get my pee to stop smelling? ›
Things you can do if you have smelly pee
- do not drink a lot of sugary fizzy drinks, coffee or alcohol.
- do not eat a lot of garlic or asparagus – they contain strong-smelling chemicals that can pass into your pee.
- do not take more than 10mg of vitamin B6 a day.
Foul smelling urine in adults can have many causes including infection, and is seldom a reason to start treatment with antibiotics. Non-infectious causes may be metabolic disease as for instance trimethylaminuria (fish odor syndrome), ingestion of certain food (asparagus) or drugs, or bad hygiene [1].
Why does my pee smell bad even though I drink a lot of water? ›
Strong-smelling urine could happen when you have had foods like asparagus, garlic, and onions or have conditions like a UTI, liver diseases, or kidney stones. Why does my urine smell bad? Your urine might smell bad if you're dehydrated or eat foods that can cause it to have a bad odor.
What does diabetic pee smell like? ›
A person with uncontrolled diabetes may have high blood glucose levels. The body tries to get rid of the extra glucose through urine, which can cause it to have a sweet smell, similar to honey. People with sweet-smelling urine due to diabetes may notice other symptoms, including: exhaustion.
What medications cause urine to smell bad? ›
Some medications and supplements that can lead to a change in the odor of urine include:
- high doses of the B vitamins thiamin and choline.
- some antibiotics, especially a group called sulfonamides.
- some diabetes medications.
- chemotherapy.
Such injuries can be caused by surgical procedures, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or ulcerative colitis. Liver disease can lead to high levels of ammonia in your urine, causing it to have an unpleasant smell. If left untreated, liver conditions can be fatal.
What supplements cause smelly urine? ›
Extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can give it a strong odor. Too much vitamin B1 (thiamine) can make your pee smell like fish. B vitamins can also make your pee look a bright greenish-yellow. Talk to a doctor about what vitamin doses are right for you.
What happens if I take 5000 IU of vitamin D3 every day? ›
The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a high calcium level in your blood (hypercalcemia) ( 4 , 5 ). Early symptoms of hypercalcemia include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation ( 14 ).
When should I be worried about smelly urine? ›
Most changes in urine odor are temporary and don't mean you have a serious illness, particularly if you have no other symptoms. When an unusual urine odor is caused by an underlying medical condition, there are other symptoms too. If you're concerned about the odor of your urine, talk to your doctor.
What kills human urine smell? ›
In a large sink or bathtub, make a solution of baking soda and warm water, agitate to make sure the baking soda is evenly dispersed, add your stinky items—making sure the stained items are submerged and leave them there for 15 minutes to give the baking soda solution enough time to break down the uric acid present in ...
What illness makes your urine smell? ›
Bladder infection. Cystitis (irritation of the bladder) Dehydration (when the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to work as it should) Diabetic ketoacidosis (in which the body has high levels of blood acids called ketones)
What does urine smell like with liver failure? ›
Foetor hepaticus is a feature of severe liver disease; a sweet and musty smell both on the breath and in urine.
Why can I smell myself through my pants? ›
Limiting frequent bathing can lead to dirt, sweat and dead skin cells build up leading to Your clothes have a strong smell. You can reduce these effects by showering regularly and washing with mild soap and warm water. Sweating in the groin area can attract fungi and bacteria that lead to bad odors.
Why does my urine smell like sewage? ›
It's usually caused either by a UTI or an imbalance of “good” and “bad” bacteria naturally found within the body. When caused by bacteria, the bacteria will affect the urine as it sits in or passes through the bladder. This can lead to strong, sulfur-smelling urine.
What illness makes you smell ammonia? ›
Rarely, people can have bad breath because of organ failure. A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine.
