Unpleasant smell of urine during pregnancy: causes, is it dangerous and what to do

In the old days, the patient’s health was assessed by the state of urine and its parameters such as color, consistency, and transparency. In the age of development of progressive technologies, this work is performed by high-precision equipment. But it is possible to determine any disorders in the body at the initial stage at home, since such an indicator as the smell of urine during pregnancy is considered quite informative, and allows you to accurately determine the state of the body of the expectant mother and fetus, the presence of diseases and pathological disorders.

Reasons for changes in urine odor during pregnancy

Why does pregnant woman's urine smell different? Pregnancy is accompanied by drastic changes in a woman’s entire body. Blood circulation, metabolism, and hormone function change. This inevitably leads to a change in the state of biological fluids.

In pregnant women, the composition of urine changes:

the amount of albumin protein decreases, since it goes to the needs of the fetus;
the level of creatinine decreases, which is consumed during active protein synthesis;
The content of alkaline phosphatase increases - it is actively formed in the placenta.

These are physiological processes that do not change the color of urine. In a healthy pregnant woman, it should be yellow and transparent. The urine smells like ammonia, but not significantly. The smell may become less pronounced than before pregnancy. The aroma of urine is changed by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen decreases and progesterone levels increase.

Physiological reasons for changes in urine odor during pregnancy include the consumption of certain foods:

asparagus;
fish;
onion and garlic;
legumes;
coffee;
spices.

Morning urine always has a more pronounced aroma and is darker than the rest of the day.

Physiological changes are usually not noticeable to a woman. If during pregnancy the unpleasant odor of urine becomes intense and pungent, this is an obvious sign of pathology.

Norm

Human urine has a slight ammonia odor. The kidneys filter enzyme substances that affect the change in the aroma of biological fluid, after which the final product leaves the body during urination.

In the mother's body, the placenta begins to produce the hCG hormone, which can be used to diagnose pregnancy using a rapid test. The hormone penetrates the bloodstream, then enters the kidneys, and after filtration settles in the bladder. When in contact with urine, it helps change its natural odor to a fresh aroma. The phenomenon is considered normal, and the specific smell disappears immediately after the birth of the child.

Human urine has a slight ammonia odor

Reasons for changes in urine odor during pregnancy

Why does pregnant urine smell different? Pregnancy is accompanied by drastic changes in a woman’s entire body. Blood circulation, metabolism, and hormone function change. This inevitably leads to a change in the state of biological fluids.

In pregnant women, the composition of urine changes:

the amount of albumin protein decreases, since it goes to the needs of the fetus;
the level of creatinine decreases, which is consumed during active protein synthesis;
The content of alkaline phosphatase increases - it is actively formed in the placenta.

Physiological reasons include the consumption of certain foods:

asparagus;
fish;
onion and garlic;
legumes;
coffee;
spices.

Morning urine always has a more pronounced aroma and is darker than the rest of the day.

Physiological changes are usually not noticeable to a woman. If during pregnancy the unpleasant odor of urine becomes intense and pungent, this is an obvious sign of pathology.

Diseases in which the smell of urine is unpleasant

In pregnant women, the vaginal microflora changes as it is exposed to hormones and becomes vulnerable to microbial attacks. Healthy women also have microorganisms, but in small quantities. In case of a significant increase, an inflammatory process occurs.

Thrush - the “culprit” is a fungus of the genus Candida. Thrush can be recognized by a cheesy vaginal discharge with a sour odor and itching.
Urethritis - the disease can be recognized by symptoms such as frequent urination, itching, pain, burning sensation. There are two types of its manifestation: Infectious - the causative agents can be gonococci, chlamydia and many others.
Non-infectious - in pregnant women, appears due to an increase in the mass of the embryo, which puts pressure on the urinary canal. It can also be a consequence of some kind of injury or allergy.

Cystitis is a disease caused by fungi such as staphylococcus, E. coli, streptococcus, and chlamydia.

Symptoms of cystitis are as follows:

pain when urinating;
presence of blood in the urine;
incontinence;
feeling of bladder fullness;
lower abdominal pain;
high body temperature;

Pathological causes

The aroma of urine changes when sugar, protein, or bacteria appear in it. Usually this change during pregnancy occurs against the background of toxicosis or kidney and liver diseases.

Diagnostics

If the smell of urine has changed, it is in any case recommended to visit a doctor and get examined. After all, disorders in the body that lead to bad aroma of urine can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

For diagnosis, doctors prescribe:

Bacteriological smear from the vagina. Detects the presence of bacteria and their composition. Estimates the number of pathogenic microorganisms that cause infection.
Urine analysis.
Bacterial culture of urine.
Blood test for sugar levels.
Ultrasound of the urinary organs.
Biochemistry of blood.

You will also need to consult a dentist, otolaryngologist, or gastroenterologist. It is important to remove all infections from the body. Digestive problems often cause a disruption in the absorption of nutrients by the embryo.

What does a change in smell mean?

Does the smell of urine really change during pregnancy? In pregnant women, olfactory receptors begin to work differently. This is why unusual taste and olfactory preferences arise. This is also due to the fact that the smell of urine during early pregnancy is felt differently by a woman. In fact, the urine changes slightly; this should not be felt.

A pronounced ammonia, sour or sweet odor is a sign of pathology. Diseases also change the color and amount of urine. It becomes almost colorless or, on the contrary, dark. It is released drop by drop or the woman goes to the toilet every hour. The process of urination is accompanied by burning, stinging, and pain in the lumbar region.

If urine smells like acetone during pregnancy, this is a sign of the development of diabetes. Acetone appears due to increased glucose levels. For a pregnant woman, the upper limit of normal fasting sugar is 5.1 mmol/liter. Gestational diabetes in the early stages can lead to miscarriage or the formation of defects. After the second trimester, the fetus may develop excess body weight, hypoxia, and hydrocephalus.
Ammonia is a protein breakdown product. Urine acquires an ammonia aroma due to dehydration, toxicosis with severe vomiting, bacterial or fungal infections. It turns dark yellow and is released in small quantities.
Urine smells sweet with cystitis, urethritis, when they are caused by bacteria or fungi. The diseases are accompanied by frequent urge to urinate, burning and discomfort in the urethra. With purulent cystitis, white flakes of pus appear in the urine.
The aroma of vinegar appears when there is a hormonal imbalance or a lack of vitamin D in the body. A fishy smell is a sign of bacterial vaginosis. This disease is associated with a disruption in the composition of the normal microflora of the genital tract.
Pyelonephritis is a bacterial inflammation of the kidneys. A lot of leukocytes and bacteria appear in the urine, and it acquires a sweetish aroma. Loses transparency, the color becomes rich yellow.
With liver diseases, a lot of bilirubin is released into the urine. It gives urine a brownish tint. The aroma becomes sharp and ammonia-like. A dangerous disease for pregnant women is fatty hepatosis. It leads to liver failure and provokes premature birth.
A nonspecific, but pungent odor of urine during pregnancy appears when taking medications - vitamins, antibiotics, antifungals.

If during pregnancy not only the smell of urine changes, but also its color, pain appears when urinating - this is an indication for the woman to be examined by a doctor. A pregnant woman should warn her gynecologist about a sudden change in the smell and color of urine at a scheduled appointment.

What changes as the fetus grows

During early pregnancy, unpleasant urine odor is associated with changing hormonal levels. It is not expressed, noticeable only to the woman herself. The color of urine and the frequency of urination do not change.

After the first trimester, the uterus enlarges so that the pelvic organs shift. This creates a high risk of developing cystitis and urinary stagnation. As a result, urine acquires a sharper, more pronounced aroma.

After 12 weeks, the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus and fatty hepatosis increases. With these diseases, the urine smells like acetone or ammonia. Fetal growth itself does not change the composition of urine.

Why is it dangerous?

Whether a change in the smell of urine is dangerous or not can only be said after diagnosis. It is easy to assume the presence of a specific diagnosis based on the specific smell of urine. For example, an ammonia tint is observed with inflammation of the bladder . In later stages, the acrid acrid odor is often a sign of diabetes mellitus . If appropriate measures are not taken in a timely manner, this threatens the health and life of the pregnant woman and her child.

If there is a putrid odor, one should suspect a tumor or gangrenous process in the urinary organs. A fecal tint indicates a vesico-rectal fistula. This disease is extremely rare in expectant mothers and is usually diagnosed before conception. If the smell has become unpleasant and pungent, it must be assumed that the normal process of gestation has been disrupted. A musty smell is often a sign of PKU.

Prevention and hygiene

It is important for a pregnant woman to maintain personal hygiene to avoid infection of the genitourinary organs. You need to learn proper hygiene during pregnancy in the early stages:

a woman should wash herself twice a day;
use plain water or neutral soap to wash;
you need to stop using panty liners, as bacteria multiply quickly in them;
linen is changed daily;
After defecation, it is advisable to use damp paper or wash yourself to prevent feces particles from entering the genitourinary tract.

Bad-smelling urine is a sign of illness. A woman should avoid factors that provoke illness. Disease prevention:

regular observation in the antenatal clinic, carrying out all tests on time;
balanced diet;
walks in the open air;
avoiding hypothermia and overheating;
wearing clothes appropriate for the weather.

In a healthy pregnant woman, the smell and color of urine do not change in a way that can be noticed. A woman may experience subjective sensations that the smell of urine has changed. This is due to an increased sense of smell. A sharp, unpleasant aroma indicates a disease of the urinary system or liver, diabetes mellitus. Detection of an unpleasant smell of urine in combination with a change in its color, the appearance of pain in the urethra or lower back is a reason to consult a doctor.

What diseases are associated with unpleasant odor?

The unpleasant smell of discharge should alert a woman, but not frighten her. The fact is that such a phenomenon is not always a sign of pathology, but may indicate metabolic disorders, and may also be associated with increased functioning of the glandular system.

As for diseases, the following ailments can cause an unpleasant smell of discharge during pregnancy:

Dysbiosis. The process of imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria in the reproductive system is called vaginal dysbiosis. As a result, a comfortable atmosphere is created for the increased proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Candidiasis. The disease, also called thrush, causes white discharge with a sour odor during pregnancy. Needs treatment, but only under the supervision of a doctor, because not all medications can be taken while pregnant.
Bacterial vaginosis. Gardnerella infection occurs, after which the discharge often smells like spoiled fish. It may be present in the body and not bother you, and during pregnancy the disease often worsens.
Systematic inflammatory processes. In some situations, chronic inflammation is observed in the reproductive system, which can occur unnoticed, accompanied by only slight vaginal secretion with a barely noticeable odor.

It is also worth noting that certain factors may increase the predisposition to vaginal discharge with an uncharacteristic odor:

violation of hygiene of the intimate area;
inappropriate hygiene products;
improper washing;
very frequent douching;
unprotected sexual intercourse;
diseases of the genital organs.

It is very important to find out the cause of the unpleasant odor, because this is the only way to provide effective therapy. It is impossible to show indifference in such a situation, because the pathology can intensify, harming the health of not only the mother, but also the child.

Treatment

Discharge with an odor during pregnancy should alert a woman, but not frighten her. Self-medication in this matter is not allowed, because it is impossible to eliminate the problem without knowing the exact cause of its occurrence. In addition, self-medication can harm the expectant mother and her baby.

It is also worth considering that conventional drugs are not always suitable for pregnant women due to their composition, which can be dangerous to the fetus. Therefore, only a doctor, after an examination, can prescribe effective and safe treatment during pregnancy.

Effect of urine on secretion

Often, a woman may attribute the smell of urine to vaginal secretion. Mucus can easily mix with droplets of urine, so it seems that it is the mark on the panty liner that emits this or that odor. Normal for pregnancy is a sweetish aroma of urine, which may contain echoes of medications taken, especially vitamin complexes. The food you eat also affects it, but not too significantly. As for violations, they are indicated by the following signs:

Ammonia smell

The cause of discharge with the smell of ammonia in a woman during gestation may be an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system. It is known that cystitis can worsen during pregnancy, especially if the woman has already had it.

Presence of acetone odor

May indicate a protein deficiency in the body or improper absorption by the body. Most often observed with toxicosis, lack of appetite or severe vomiting. This is reflected in the aroma of urine, which a woman may attribute to the characteristics of vaginal secretion.

How to get rid of unpleasant vaginal odor?

Vaginal odors that develop during pregnancy can mean anything from something as benign as hormonal fluctuations or broccoli in your diet, to an infection that can cause serious harm to your health. Fortunately, there are now many products available to reduce or eliminate odor and the cause of it.

Follow the rules of intimate hygiene . Proper hygiene is the most important key to eliminating vaginal odor. Wash your genital area with warm water, but avoid exposing sensitive vaginal tissue to irritants and harsh chemicals found in scented body products. Instead, it is better to use safe and mild intimate hygiene products with a natural pH for this area or simple soap. Develop the habit of thoroughly rinsing the perineal area after each urination, if possible. To reduce the spread of rectal bacteria and the likelihood of infection, wipe with toilet paper from the vagina to the anus.

Choose the right underwear . Wear soft cotton underwear. Unlike synthetic material, natural fabrics allow the skin to breathe. Change and wash your laundry regularly using gentle detergents. This also applies to bed linen. To avoid accumulation of secretions and strong odors, use a sanitary pad.

Drink water . One of the easiest ways to combat ammonia vaginal odor is to ensure your body has enough fluid to properly dilute your urine.

Change your food preferences . Try including more pregnancy-friendly fruits and vegetables in your diet. Avoid too many spices, certain varieties of cabbage, asparagus, and garlic. This can change the smell of sweat and reduce odor in the intimate area. Don't forget about probiotics. These are healthy gut bacteria. Eating probiotic-rich foods or supplements may help reduce the risk of bacterial infections. Some research suggests that probiotics found in fermented milk products such as yogurt or kefir may help prevent urinary infections and promote vaginal health. [Although the studies looked at probiotic supplements and not dairy products. – approx. ed.]

Consult your doctor . See your gynecologist to determine if your vaginal odor is caused by an infection. If it turns out that the cause is a medical condition, use only medications prescribed by your doctor that are safe for you and your baby.1 3

Changes or not

The smell of urine during pregnancy is influenced by changes in hormonal levels and physiological characteristics of the female body. The change is associated with an increase in hormones and the amount of substances secreted by the kidneys.

During pregnancy, you increasingly need to go to the toilet (why is this happening? Read the article Frequent urination during pregnancy>>>).

In addition, as a result of changing hormones, your sense of smell also changes. Habitual odors may seem unpleasant, and the weakest and most insignificant ones may cause nausea and even vomiting.

Because of such a sensitive sense of smell, many expectant mothers say that the smell of urine has changed during pregnancy in the early stages.

Reasons for this reaction to urine:

You have a normal, healthy pregnancy, but due to a more sensitive sense of smell, you begin to distinguish new shades of odors;

There is no need to treat or do anything here. Just accept the new changes in your body and your features. Slowly you will get used to pregnancy and stop paying attention to strong odors.

Hormonal changes in the body. Already in the first weeks of pregnancy, increased production of hormones necessary for a good pregnancy begins. It is these changes that you perceive as changes in the smell of urine.

By the way! If you haven't taken a pregnancy test yet, now is the time to take one to confirm your pregnancy.

If the pregnancy did not take place, and you are still planning, then watch the course I want a child: how to prepare for the desired pregnancy and conceive a healthy child>>>