Written by Samantha C. Shapiro, MD | Reviewed by Mandy Armitage, MD Published on November 11, 2022
Key takeaways:
- Urine (pee) is made up of water and waste. Pee smells different when there’s less water and/or more waste.
- Certain foods, medications, and dehydration can cause smelly pee. Less commonly, smelly pee might be due to a health condition, like a urinary tract infection or diabetes.
- Smelly pee is common and rarely a cause for concern.
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Pee is an everyday thing that isn’t always an everyday topic of conversation. But everyone has questions about it, especially when it seems different than “normal.” Here, we answer a question that healthcare providers hear more often than you may think: “Why does my pee smell funny?”
What does healthy pee smell and look like?
To understand smelly pee, you first need to understand how it’s made. The kidneys filter waste out of the blood and make urine. About 91% to 95% of urine is water. The remaining 5% to 9% is waste (like ammonia, urea, and electrolytes), which contributes to the smell.
The smell and color of pee depend on how much water and waste are in it. Pee with more water has less color and less smell. When there’s more waste, pee is a deeper color and smells more.
Why does your pee smell bad?
Sometimes, pee smells funkier than usual. The odor might be unpleasant, but it’s rarely something to worry about.
Common causes of smelly pee include:
- Diet: Some foods, like asparagus, may affect the smell of urine. Brussel sprouts, coffee, garlic, curry, and alcohol can cause smelly pee, too.
- Dehydration: When you’re dehydrated, your body holds on to the water you’ve got instead of peeing it out. And when there’s less water in pee, there’s more waste. Dehydration makes pee smell stronger and appear darker.
- Certain medications and vitamins: Too much vitamin B1 and vitamin B6 can make pee smell fishy. Sulfa drugs (like Bactrim) can make pee smell like sulfur (rotten eggs).
- Vaginal douching: Douching changes the normal balance of good and harmful bacteria (flora) in the vagina, and a change in flora can change the smell of pee. Healthcare professionals do not recommend douching.
- Pregnancy and ovulation: Hormone changes during pregnancy and ovulation can make urine smell different or stronger. Interestingly, the change in smell might only be noticeable to you.
Which health conditions make pee smell bad?
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): Many people worry about infection when urine smells funny, but it’s rarely the issue. A UTI is only a concern when there are other UTI symptoms (like burning/pain with urination or frequent urination).
- Bacterial vaginosis: Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection that causes foul-smelling vaginal discharge. It can also affect the smell of pee.
- Yeast infections: Yeast infections can occur in people born with male or female anatomy. They may change how pee smells.
- Diabetes: Undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes can increase the amount of sugar in the urine, leading to a fruity or sweet smell.
- Kidney stones: Kidney stones can increase how much ammonia (a waste product) is in urine, resulting in a stronger smell. Blood in the urine or pain in the lower back or abdomen can be signs of a kidney stone.
- Severe liver disease: The liver normally disposes of waste, similar to the kidneys. But when the liver isn’t working properly, extra waste ends up in the urine, affecting color and smell. Severe liver disease can cause urine to smell sweet or musty. It can also turn urine dark yellow or brown.
- Rare genetic conditions: Certain genetic conditions make it difficult for the body to get rid of waste, changing the smell of bodily fluids. Trimethylaminuria, for example, causes fishy smelling urine (and sweat).
When should you see a provider about the smell of your pee?
Funky smelling urine on its own is rarely anything to worry about. But if other symptoms occur with smelly pee, there might be something else going on.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Lower back or lower abdominal pain
- Pain or burning with urination
- Frequent urination
- Rashes, sores, discomfort, or foul-smelling discharge in the genital area
- Dark brown or reddish-pink urine
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Excessive thirst
- Fruity or sweet smelling urine
What can you do to reduce the smell of pee?
Staying hydrated is the best way to decrease the smell of urine. Avoiding foods that worsen the smell of pee can help, too.
Will smelly pee go away on its own?
Probably. Smelly pee typically goes away in a few days, especially if you drink more water. If smelly pee lasts longer than 1 to 2 weeks, you may want to contact your healthcare provider. They’ll either reassure you or order tests to figure out what’s going on.
The bottom line
Smelly pee is a bit unpleasant, but it’s rarely anything to worry about. In many cases, drinking more water solves the problem in a few days. Give your provider a call if you have other symptoms along with smelly pee or if your pee smells funky for more than 2 weeks. Together, you’ll figure out the next best steps to keep you healthy.
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