Male Urine with Reddish Color: Causes and Explanations

Introduction

The reddish color of male urine is a relatively common occurrence. There are many potential reasons for this, including kidney stones. Kidney stones are formed by the abnormal accumulation of crystalline substances such as calcium, uric acid, oxalic acid, and cystine in the kidneys. Kidney stones are a common condition affecting the urinary system, with a higher incidence among males, especially those in their prime.

Causes of Reddish Male Urine

There are numerous reasons for reddish male urine. One possibility is contamination by pigmented substances. However, more often than not, reddish urine is caused by hematuria, which refers to the presence of red blood cells in the urine due to their entry through abnormal pathways. Hematuria can be caused by various factors such as inflammation, infection, and stones in the urinary system, including kidney stones and bladder stones.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are caused by the abnormal accumulation of crystalline substances (such as calcium, oxalic acid, uric acid, and cystine) in the kidneys. They are a common and frequently occurring condition affecting the urinary system, with a higher prevalence among males, particularly those in their prime. There is no significant difference in the incidence rates between the left and right sides. Approximately 90% of kidney stones contain calcium, with calcium oxalate stones being the most common. Between 40% and 75% of patients with kidney stones experience varying degrees of low back pain. Large stones with limited mobility may cause a dull or aching discomfort in the lower back, which may intensify with increased physical activity. Smaller stones may cause sudden, severe, knife-like pain in the waist and abdomen, often occurring in episodic bursts.

Although stones can form in any part of the urinary system, they often originate in the kidneys. When kidney stones form, they are typically located in the renal pelvis or renal calyces and can migrate into the ureter and bladder. Nearly all ureteral stones originate from the kidneys.

Causes of Kidney Stones

The formation of kidney stones involves factors that increase the concentration or decrease the solubility of crystalline substances in the urine, leading to their supersaturation, crystallization, and eventual accumulation. Many factors can influence stone formation, including age, gender, race, genetics, environmental factors, dietary habits, and occupation. Metabolic abnormalities (such as hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and hyperglycemia), prolonged bed rest, nutritional deficiencies (such as vitamin B6 deficiency and magnesium-deficient diets), urinary obstruction, infection, foreign bodies, and medication use are common causes of stone formation. There are 32 known components of urinary stones, with calcium oxalate being the most common. Kidney stones are rarely composed of a single crystal type but usually consist of two or more components, with one component being dominant.