What Causes Foul Smelling Urine?

Posted on Thu, 10 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 Answered on

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : had uti 3 or 4 weeks ago, since getting over when i urinate I get a very strong urine smell, is there anything i can do or do i need to be worried about this

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

A strong urine smell (usually due to increased ammonia in the urine) can be due to things we eat or supplements and vitamins. It can also be due to dehydration causing more concentrated urine (which does not sound like it's the situation in your case). And it can be due to a UTI.

It's hard to say whether the smell is from the increased cranberry juice, or a persisting UTI. If you are not having a lot of burning or urgency, you can try to go without the cranberry juice for 1 day (but drink plenty of water) and see if that helps.

Usually people don't need to be concerned about the odor unless there are other symptoms, such as burning, pain, urgency, fever, or pain in the flanks/kidney area behind your waist.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (8 minutes later)

I stooped the juice when the uti went away, when i had the uti I only had the strong odor first thing in the morning, now it seems to be all the time and my diet is back to normal. That's why I was starting to get concerned if I needed to have checked or if it just has to run it's course.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Question

Detailed Answer:
It might be from some residual inflammation.

Do you have any other symptoms?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (9 minutes later)

No, that's enough for me....lol, Never had a uti, and that's the only problem left.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
It sounds like you were not on antibiotics and treated it with cranberry juice and increased water intake? (Which is fine for treating an uncomplicated UTI where there is no fever or flank pain. Not all UTIs require an antibiotic.)

If that is the case, you may have some residual infection or inflammation although mild. I recommend watching and waiting. If the UTI symptoms start to return, then go in to have a urinalysis and culture done to see what is going on. If the UTI symptoms do not return, give it a while longer and see - the excessive ammonia smell might go away.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (15 days later)

It's been 2 more weeks and nothing has changed, is there anything else it could be, should I have reason for concern. This has never happened to me in 54 years and I'm wondering why.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Recommend a urinalysis and culture.

Detailed Answer:
It may not be an underlying problem, but as the odor has continued, and it came on after UTI symptoms initially, at this point it would be worth going in and having a urinalysis done. They should also send the urine sample to the lab for a culture. This should help sort things out.

After you hear back after the urinalysis, I would be grateful if you let me know how you are doing.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar