Causes of Smelly Urine During Pregnancy and Its Treatments

Smelly Urine During Pregnancy

There are many changes in the body associated with pregnancy. Some of them are expected changes while others can be pathological and may need medical attention. One of the common complaints of pregnant women is smelly urine. Some will notice the difference from the start of the pregnancy; for others it can come on the later part of the pregnancy.

It may also be an acute occurrence and can be observed only once while it can be chronic for others and last for weeks and weeks.

There are many possible causes for these symptoms, some are benign and will not require treatment; however, it can also be due to a disease process and will need medical attention.

Causes of  Smelly Urine During Pregnancy

Here are some of the most common causes of smelly urine during pregnancy:

• Heightened Sensitivity to Smells. Many women develop an increased sensitivity to smells. This may be what leads them to believe that they have smellier urine than usual.
• Human Gonadotropin (HGT), known as the pregnancy hormone because this is what pregnancy tests look for; however some sources claim that HGT can affect the smell of urine too.
• Dehydration. Drinking lots of water is important during pregnancy as the increased demand on the body can make dehydration more likely. When a person is dehydrated, the kidneys reabsorb more water and this can lead to concentrated and smelly urine.
• Infections. Changes in the woman’s body can also lead changes in the pH balance. This can make them more susceptible to infections including Urinary Tract Infections, Yeast Infections, Vaginosis, etc. These infections can affect the smell of the urine.
• Diet. Certain foods can affect the smell of the urine as well. Some of common foods that can make urine smell stronger include broccoli and asparagus.

When an infection is the cause of the problem, women may also experience the following symptoms:

• Itching
• Pain
• Fever

Treatment for Smelly Urine During Pregnancy

When a change in the smell of the urine is observed, pregnant women should seek medical attention because it can be a symptom of an infection, which needs to be managed as it can affect the baby. Some expected treatments include:

• Increasing fluid intake, this helps prevent dehydration. This can also dilute the urine and can make it less smelly.
• Antibacterial treatments, non-teratogenic drugs are given to patients who have an infection.
• Proper genital hygiene, regular washing with a pH balanced wash may help prevent smells and can also prevent infections.