5 causes of smelly urine 

Eating certain foods 

Asparagus is not the only food that can change the smell of your urine. There are some other reasons, so here are 5 different causes of smelly urine and how to watch out for them.  

Certain foods can cause your urine to have a strong odour. If your urine doesn’t have a strange smell, that’s also normal. Everyone digests food differently. Some people may not experience smelly urine because their bodies lack the necessary enzymes to break down certain foods fully. Foods like Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, curry, salmon, and alcohol can also give your urine an unpleasant odour. Drinking plenty of water while eating can dilute your urine, making the smell less noticeable. 

Drinking coffee 

Your coffee habit can make your urine smell stronger. Coffee metabolites, or the byproducts that come from coffee when it’s broken down in your body, can give urine a strong odour. 

Sexually transmitted infection 

Some STIs can cause urethritis or inflammation of the urethra. Anything that causes inflammation or irritation may be associated with bacteria, pus, or bleeding that can change the odour of urine. Chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhoea are the STIs that commonly cause urethritis. Even if an STI doesn’t cause urethritis, urine can still pick up an odour from vaginal irritation. 

Urinary tract infection 

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter your urinary system through the urethra and multiply in your bladder. These bacteria can cause your urine to have an unpleasant odour. 

Kidney stones 

Anyone who has had kidney stones knows how painful they can be. Kidney stones develop when salts and other minerals in the urine stick together and form hard, stone-like deposits.