Urine is mostly water and typically has little to no odor.
In most circumstances, the urine of healthy people will not have a strong odor.
Urine with a pungent smell may mean that it is more concentrated, having higher-than-normal levels of waste.
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However, there are many types of health conditions that can cause urine odor symptoms.
Some urine odor causes are:
What Medications Can Cause Urine Odor?
Talk to a healthcare provider if you are experiencing unusual or resistant urine odor symptoms.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Urine Odor?
Your healthcare provider may start by collecting a past medical history and performing a physical exam.
This test is noninvasive and requires that you provide urine in a clear container for analysis.
Summary
In most circumstances, the urine of healthy people will not have a strong odor.
Brief or mild urine odor symptoms can stem from certain foods, medications, vitamins, or dehydration.
Risk factors associated with urine odor are not due to the smell but the underlying cause.
A Word From Verywell
Urine odor may be concerning.
But the good news is that visiting your healthcare provider can help undercover the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brief or mild urine odor symptoms may not signify a more significant medical condition.
However, there are many types of health conditions that cause urine odor symptoms.
Some urine odor causes are foods, medications, vitamins, and dehydration.
More concerning causes of urine odor include bacterial infection, ketonuria, liver disease, and chronic renal failure.
The smell of your urine may provide insight into a health condition that is causing the smell.
For example, high glucose levels due to uncontrolled diabetes can causethe urine to smell sweet.
Musty-smelling urine is associated with liver disease or liver failure.
Any unusual or prolonged urine odor changes should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
A UTI typically presents with cloudy and foul-smelling urine.However, a urinalysis is needed to confirm a UTI diagnosis.
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