Smelly Urine in Pregnancy – Causes and Remedies

Your body undergoes several changes during pregnancy. While a few are expected as a routine part of pregnancy, some changes might need medical attention. Smelly urine in pregnancy is one of the common problems associated with pregnancy. Foul-smelling urine during pregnancy can be uncomfortable and embarrassing for most women. You may notice smelly urine during the first trimester of pregnancy or even towards the later stages. While some cases of foul urine odour in pregnancy might point to underlying pathology, it’s important to visit the doctor to rule out any infections or other conditions causing your urine to smell bad. Also, taking some precautions is crucial to avoiding odorous pee when pregnant. Read this page to learn about the many reasons and remedies for odorous urine during pregnancy.

What Causes Smelly Urine During Pregnancy?

There could be many reasons for strong-smelling urine during pregnancy that are pregnancy-related; some of these will need a doctor’s attention. Here are a few common causes of smelly urine during pregnancy:

1. A Heightened Sense of Smell

During pregnancy, your hormone levels are on the rise, and even a subtle change in urine odour will be noticeable to you. This increased sensitivity to smells can cause you to think that your urine now has a strong smell (1).

2. Dehydration

Urine has little to no odour in general, but it contains ammonia that gets diluted by the water you drink. Not drinking enough water can lead to the concentration of urine, which can emit a strong smell. Consuming less water can be the cause of dehydration, which is not healthy for you or the baby (2).

3. Urinary Infections

Urinary tract infection is a common infection that occurs during pregnancy and is often the reason for foul-smelling urine (3). UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) also causes fever, back pain, and pain during urination.

4. Vaginal Infections

A vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV) can cause smelly urine and is often noticed when urine mixes with vaginal secretions (4). This fishy-smelling odour can be embarrassing at times, but more importantly, BV could increase the chances of going into labour early.

5. Urine Leakage

The bladder tissues and the urethra become slightly relaxed during pregnancy, which causes some amount of involuntary urine leakage. Also known as urinary incontinence, this condition is heightened when you laugh or sneeze at a time when you’re holding in urine. Strong-smelling urine is an early pregnancy symptom as it begins as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.

6. Diet

Inclusion of foods like broccoli and asparagus in your daily diet can also be a cause of strong-smelling urine (5). Consider eating smaller portions of such items if you have smelly urine.

7. Taking Supplements

As a pregnant woman, you will be advised to consume supplements that will help your pregnancy. However, consuming supplements can cause your urine to smell (6). Consult with your doctor before you take any supplements. Do not take unnecessary supplements, and enrich your diet with foods that are rich in iron, calcium, and folic acid.

How to Treat Urine Odour During Pregnancy

There are a few simple and easy treatments for smelly urine during pregnancy. They are:

1. Stay Hydrated

During pregnancy, your body’s demand for water increases. Hence, it is very important to remain hydrated throughout the day. It will surely increase the frequency of urination, but it will also address the demands of your body for water. It will dilute your urine, flush out the bacteria, and reduce the chances of any foul smell.

2. Keep Yourself Clean

It is important to maintain personal hygiene in the genital area in order to reduce the unpleasant smell of urine. The remnants of urine can linger on your clothes and undergarments and can cause an unpleasant smell along with bacterial growth. Clean yourself thoroughly while bathing and every time you visit the washroom (7). Using a pH-balanced wash is highly recommended in such cases.

3. Medical Treatment

Speak to your doctor regarding this condition. Based on the severity, they may prescribe an anti-bacterial treatment or non-teratogenic drugs to address urine odour. Antibiotics are often prescribed for urine infections.

4. Urinate Often

During pregnancy or even otherwise, one should not hold in urine for long periods. You should urinate whenever you feel the urge instead of waiting for a full bladder. This ensures that the urine is never concentrated, thus reducing the chances of having a foul smell.

5. Get Regular Checkups

It is important to check if strong-smelling urine is accompanied by any other symptoms. If yes, the reasons could be problems related to the kidney and bladder, or sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

6. Increase Intake of Vitamin C

By adding vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet, it is possible to avoid urinary tract infections (UTI). Fruits like oranges, kiwis, and grapefruits are rich in vitamin C and can help keep that strong odour away.

Although smelly urine isn’t life-threatening, you should address the problem as soon as you notice it. Also, it is important to check if you have any other symptoms along with smelly urine, as they can indicate other serious problems.

When to Call a Doctor

If you experience any of these symptoms in addition to the repulsive or weird pee smell in pregnancy, call your healthcare physician right away:

• Bleeding urine
• Lower-back discomfort
• Back pain or discomfort under the ribs
• A general sense of being unwell
• Unusual lassitude
• Uncertainty or agitation
• Fever or chills
• Decreased body temperature

FAQs

1. Urine smells bad, but no infection- what is the reason?

Even without illnesses, inadequate hydration can produce an odd or foul-smelling urine odour. Urine odour can be brought on by specific drugs, meals, and vitamin B6 supplements. Urine that smells may also be the result of liver and renal issues. If necessary, you might seek medical attention for any coinciding symptoms.

2. What is the natural remedy for urine odour?

Drinking enough water is one of the best ways to eliminate smelly urine. Smelling pee during pregnancy can be reduced by specific drugs, meals, and vitamin B6 supplements. Urine that smells may also be the result of liver and renal issues.

3. Does gestational diabetes affect urine smell?

In some cases, gestational diabetes can cause urine to have a slightly sweet or fruity smell due to excess glucose in the urine. If you notice this along with symptoms like increased thirst or frequent urination, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for evaluation.

4. Can urinary frequency in pregnancy make urine smell worse?

Frequent urination is common during pregnancy, but if small amounts of urine are passed often without proper hydration, it can become more concentrated and smell stronger, causing smelly urine while pregnant. Ensuring adequate fluid intake helps keep urine diluted and reduces odour.

In most cases, changes in urine smell during pregnancy are harmless and often linked to hydration levels, diet, or hormonal shifts. However, it’s important to stay attentive to your body and watch for any unusual symptoms that may need medical attention. Understanding the connection between urine odour and pregnancy can help you manage these changes with confidence and ensure both your health and your baby’s well-being.

Also Read:

Urine Colour during Pregnancy
Protein in Urine during Pregnancy
Urine Leakage during Pregnancy

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Sources References

1. National Library of Medicine – Pregnancy and olfaction: a review

2. Tommys.org – How much water should I drink in pregnancy?

3. American Pregnancy Association – Urinary Tract Infection – UTI During Pregnancy

4. March of Dimes – Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy

5. Poison Control – Is smelly urine anything to worry about?

6. NiDirect – Smelly urine

7. Sage Journals – Role of female intimate hygiene in vulvovaginal health: Global hygiene practices and product usage