Urine often has a slight ammonia smell, especially first thing in the morning or when a person is dehydrated. Smelly urine can also be a sign of an infection, however, so if the smell does not go away on its own, or if additional symptoms develop, see a doctor.
Like urine color, the smell of your urine can be a clue about your body's condition. Smelly urine can be caused by dehydration, certain foods, coffee, various infections (e.g., yeast infections), kidney stones, diabetes, and vitamins.
Some foods and medications, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause a noticeable urine odor, even in low concentrations. Sometimes, unusual urine odor indicates a medical condition or disease, such as: Cystitis (bladder inflammation) Dehydration.
When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.
Cystitis
It's often caused by a bacterial infection, such as a UTI. The bacteria from the infection can result in a strong fish smell in the urine.
Fish Odor Syndrome
Also called trimethylaminuria, this genetic condition can give your pee a fishy smell. It happens when your body can't break down trimethylamine. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. It doesn't mean you're unhealthy.
See a GP if: you have smelly pee and: you need to pee suddenly, more often than usual, or during the night. you have pain or a burning sensation when peeing.
A person with uncontrolled diabetes may have blood glucose levels that are dangerously high. The body tries to get rid of the extra glucose in the urine, and this can cause a sweet smell. People with sweet-smelling urine due to diabetes may notice other symptoms, including: exhaustion.
The following conditions can sometimes cause smelly urine, but they are uncommon: urinary stones – these may cause an ammonia-like odour (read about bladder stones and kidney stones)
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.
Can UTIs go away on their own? It is not uncommon for UTIs to go away on their own without the use of antibiotics. Some research states that up to 42% of uncomplicated UTIs resolve without medical treatment. However, keep in mind that there are risks to leaving UTIs untreated.
Pain or burning while urinating. Frequent urination. Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder. Bloody urine.
Drink Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice increases the acidity of urine, which can reduce odor.
Doctors refer to the standard color of your urine as “urochrome.” Urine naturally carries a yellow pigment. When you're staying hydrated, your urine will be a light yellow, close-to-clear color. If you're getting dehydrated, you'll notice that your urine is becoming a deep amber or even light brown.
The most common color of urine is yellow, which is caused by the presence of urobilin , a biochemical waste product generated from the breakdown of old red blood cells. (Your body makes about 2 million new red blood cells every day, and recycles an equal number of old ones.)
Make a solution of baking soda, peroxide and any dish detergent. The combination of the three is often powerful enough to drive away strong urine smells. The solutions is eight fluid ounces of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of dish detergent.
Changes in the smell of your urine may be the first sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Soon after, you may begin to experience pain when you urinate. The smell is caused by bacteria in your urine. The bacteria can grow and spread into other parts of your urinary tract, like your bladder or kidneys.
Urine that smells like feces could mean that there's a connection (called a “fistula”) between the rectum and the bladder or urethra. Some vaginal infections have an odd odor that women tend to notice when they urinate.
Some medications or supplements may also be responsible for changing the urine's odor. These include sulfa drugs, which treat diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions, and some supplements, such as B vitamins. Drinking more water may help to dilute the sulfur compounds in the body and reduce the smell.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one possible cause of having an ammonia taste in your mouth, sometimes called “ammonia breath.” Some people describe ammonia breath as having a metallic taste, while others have reported that it smells similar to urine.