The smell of ammonia in the urine of women: causes, diagnosis and treatment

The appearance of an unusual smell of urine in women is a fairly common phenomenon. Almost daily, female representatives turn to their attending physicians with just such a complaint. This makes you very worried, and not in vain.

If the urine has a smell of ammonia or acetone, then this may indicate a certain disorder that arose in the body of a woman. Identifying it yourself is unrealistic (except, of course, cases where a woman has the necessary qualifications). In this regard, pathologies that provoke such a phenomenon can only be determined by a specialist. Moreover, you should contact him immediately as soon as a suspicious symptom has arisen. Hoping that the body will cope with the problem on its own is not worth it.

Only a professional consultation and examination in a special laboratory will establish the causes of the sharp smell of ammonia in the urine of a woman.

Urine smell

Urine can acquire an ammonia odor not only due to pathological changes, but also for natural physiological reasons. It should be noted that the following are responsible for the urinary process in the body: urinary organ, ureters, kidneys.

If any of these organs begins to function worse or inflammatory processes develop, then this will immediately affect the smell and form of urine, it is quite difficult not to notice such a phenomenon.

The occurrence of a strong smell of ammonia in the urine is often accompanied by bloody discharge. An unpleasant odor can also appear along with irritation and itching in the vagina. In some situations, moderate or severe itching is noted.

There is a smell of ammonia in the urine in women due to an increase in the body's concentration of ammonium phosphate. This phenomenon is observed if serious health problems develop.

To understand that the quality and composition of urine has changed is quite simple. If a woman is healthy, then her urine will be either light yellow or amber. In this case, the liquid has practically no odor. Urine is lighter the more water a woman drinks and the more often she urinates. If the urine has an unpleasant odor or it becomes cloudy, regardless of the amount of fluid drunk per day and the number of visits to the toilet, then this is cause for concern.

A qualified doctor will help determine the cause of the strong smell of ammonia from urine in women. It is strictly forbidden to engage in self-medication, based on the recommendations of friends and acquaintances. This complaint is a reason for a comprehensive examination, which can only be carried out using professional equipment.

The causes of this pathology of a physiological nature

Often, the smell of ammonia in the urine in women appears due to completely natural processes that occur in the woman's body. In this case, you do not need to panic, the condition normalizes independently. The following physiological factors can influence the color of urine:

1. The diet of a woman is saturated with a large number of protein foods. Proteins, entering the body, begin to break down into trace elements called amino acids. They decompose and release ammonia.
2. Urinary retention. If the urine is in the bladder for a long time, it develops an unpleasant odor and changes color. You can observe such situations if a woman has to refrain from urinating (being at an important meeting, visiting, in transport). After emptying the bladder, a strongly smelling and dark liquid is released from it. If forced abstinence from urination becomes frequent, then the likelihood of urinary tract pathologies increases.
3. Inadequate fluid intake. If the female body lacks water for a long time, then dehydration begins to develop. The concentration of urine becomes saturated, an unpleasant odor appears, the color changes to darker. Usually in such cases the smell of ammonia occurs. But in some situations, urine can give off acetone. What are the other reasons urine ammonia smells in women?
4. Menstruation. In this period, female urine often changes its color and acquires a nasty aroma. Microflora metamorphoses and hormonal imbalances are typical causes of abnormalities in physiology. Similar phenomena are observed with menopause.
5. Pregnancy. This period is also characterized by hormonal changes, constant dehydration, hypotension. In addition, during pregnancy, a woman’s lifestyle changes significantly. The microflora does not remain unchanged. You can not pay attention to the change in the color of urine at this time, since the normal color with the combination of the above factors is simply excluded.
6. The use of certain medications. Certain drugs cause metabolic disturbances. The smell of ammonia in the urine of women, as well as the smell of acetone or alcohol, is considered quite normal after using drugs with iron or calcium in the composition. Similar changes are noted when taking certain vitamin complexes.

All physiological causes of the smell of ammonia in the urine of women have characteristic indicators:

1. Fast normalization.
2. Short duration.
3. Lack of soreness and other symptoms of the disorder.

Otherwise, the changes have pathological reasons.

Pathological factors

In cases where the listed natural causes are absent, and urine with a pungent smell of ammonia in women is still present, we can assume the negative impact of the pathology that has arisen in the body. Some diseases can cause a change in the smell of urine.

Urethritis

As a rule, the cause of inflammation of the genitourinary tract lies in the penetration of pathogens. Pathology is manifested by cutting pain and a change in the characteristics of urine.

Cystitis in women

The smell of ammonia in the urine often occurs due to an inflammatory reaction in the mucous membranes of the bladder. As a rule, cystitis develops as a result of the ingestion of an infectious agent. But often the reason for the smell of ammonia in the urine lies in the usual hypothermia - walking in light clothing in the winter, swimming in cold water. The symptomatology of the pathology depends on its form. With chronic cystitis, frequent urges, sharp pain in the urethra, blood impurities in the urine, heaviness in the bladder are noted. In acute illness, urination causes pain and pain in the abdomen. General weakness is not ruled out. A woman needs more time to visit the toilet due to pain. Another symptom of acute cystitis is urine turbidity.

Pyelonephritis

What kind of pathology is this is interesting to many. This is an inflammatory lesion in the kidneys, provoked by the penetration of infection. In addition to changes in the characteristics of urine, pyelonephritis is manifested by symptoms such as pain in the lumbar region, chills, fever. Inflammation of the kidneys can also cause impaired urination.

Diabetes

This disease causes an increase in the concentration of ketone bodies. In addition, the cause of the smell of ammonia in the urine of women is constantly present dehydration, which is one of the main manifestations of this disease.

Venereal pathology

With venereal lesions, the unpleasant aroma of urine and infection are interrelated components. Changes arise due to inflammatory processes in the genitourinary organs.

Hepatitis can also lead to an unpleasant odor.

Infectious damage to the liver almost always causes a change in the characteristics of urine. Its color becomes dark, it persists throughout the entire period of the disease.

Impaired metabolism

It is another common cause of changes in the smell of urine. Emerging metabolic disturbances always entail a variety of deviations in the functioning of the body. This also applies to the properties of urine.

Among the factors affecting the change in the smell and color of urine, there are also oncological pathologies and tuberculosis. It is important to remember that the treatment of these diseases is carried out using drugs. Medications, as already noted, can cause a change in the characteristics of urine. It can acquire the aroma of ammonia or acetone. Pathologies cause the accumulation of large amounts of ammonium phosphate, leading to such changes.

Ammonia smell of urine during pregnancy

Almost every woman during pregnancy notices that the properties of her urine have changed. Urine changes color and becomes unpleasant. It scares some. If you believe the statistics, then in many cases the state of health is not threatened. It occurs, as a rule, for the following reasons:

1. In the body, significant changes in the hormonal background are observed.
2. Permanent dehydration due to the fact that the fetus consumes a lot of water.
3. Taking certain vitamin preparations.

But not in all cases the above factors explain the situation. Sometimes urine changes color and smell due to developing pathologies.

Pregnancy causes compression of the ureters, which causes a prolonged urinary retention. These conditions are favorable for the rapid multiplication of harmful bacteria in it, which, in turn, contribute to the development of infectious damage.

The smell and color of urine can also change due to gestational diabetes. It develops due to insufficient synthesis of insulin. This phenomenon is due to the significant release of various substances required for the development of the fetus. It is they that inhibit the synthesis of this hormone.

Pregnant women, in addition, are often susceptible to a variety of inflammatory processes, which, in turn, provoke the appearance of a sharp smell of ammonia in the urine. Renal pathologies arising as a result of a violation of the water balance in the body and constant compression should be highlighted.

It is strictly forbidden to resort to self-diagnosis and therapy. Identify the true causes of deviations will allow only a special laboratory study. The therapeutic course is prescribed based on its results.

Therapy of this disease

It is impossible to ignore the sharp smell of urine that has arisen, especially if vaginal discharge of a mucous character with an ammonia odor is observed.

It is possible to eliminate the unpleasant manifestation only after identifying the factors that provoked it. In each case, the approach to therapy will be special.

In cases where changes are provoked by dehydration, you should switch to a normal drinking regime. A sufficient amount of water will dilute the fluid contained in the bladder. Drinking too much is also not recommended. The normal dosage of fluid per day is 1.5-2 liters.

It is necessary to pay attention to the daily diet, because the overconsumption of protein-rich foods can be a provoking reason. In this case, it will be necessary to review your own diet.

If the factor in the appearance of an unpleasant odor is a sexually transmitted disease, then you should visit a gynecologist or venereologist. After an appropriate study, the doctor will select the necessary therapy. Other manifestations also allow determining a sexually transmitted infection - vaginal discharge, spots on underwear, cutting sensations.

Often, the ammonia smell of urine indicates the development of pathology, so a visit to a specialist is inevitable. Only a qualified doctor will conduct the necessary diagnostics of the smell of ammonia in the urine of women, treatment will be prescribed after all the necessary procedures have been completed.

To establish the root cause of the violation, a laboratory study of not only urine, but also blood will be required. They are carried out only in a medical institution. Typically, therapy involves the use of certain medications. The treatment may take several weeks or days. Everything will depend on the severity of the pathology.

Preventive measures that will help prevent this pathology

So that urine does not have an ammonia smell, you need to carefully monitor your own health. It is recommended to consume enough water - about 2 liters per day. In addition, you need to reduce the intake of protein foods and include more vitamins in the diet.

Excellent preventive methods - the use of products such as:

1. Morse.
2. Cranberry juice.
3. Yogurt with 1 teaspoon of honey.

It is equally important to observe the rules of individual intimate hygiene. Also, do not forget about periodic examinations by a doctor to monitor your condition, give up bad habits and moderate physical activity. All these measures will minimize the likelihood of changes in the characteristics of urine.