Ammonia Odor in Urine: Health Significance Explained

The color and odor of urine can provide clues about a person’s diet, lifestyle, urinary system, and overall health.

For example, sweet-smelling urine can be a sign of excess glucose and uncontrolled diabetes. Sweet, musty-smelling urine can occur in certain metabolic disorders and liver diseases. In these cases, urine can also turn dark yellow or brown. An ammonia smell in urine can occur due to several causes, such as dehydration, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and certain foods.

Most of the time, an abnormal urine odor of ammonia is not alarming and typically goes away on its own, especially if the cause is your diet. However, sometimes, an ammonia urine smell persists and may indicate an underlying urinary tract infection or a sign of other health conditions such as liver or kidney disease.

Normal Urine Odor and When To Be Concerned: A Brief Overview

Normal urine has little to no odor and is nearly colorless or pale yellow to gold in color. Concentrated urine is deep yellow and has a strong ammonia smell.

If you have ammonia-smelling urine that goes away in a few days, it is probably harmless. Dehydration is the most common cause of urine, with a stronger odor and dark appearance. This is typically harmless and should resolve once you are well-hydrated. However, you should be concerned about strong, smelly urine that does not go away on its own after a few days, with or without other symptoms like fever or flank pain.

Common Causes of Ammonia Smelly Urine

Dehydration: Lack of Water Affects Urine Odor

Dehydration is a common cause of ammonia-smelling urine because a lack of fluids in the body leads to the formation of concentrated urine. Concentrated urine has a lot of waste products dissolved in very little water, giving it a dark yellow color and the distinct unpleasant odor of ammonia.

Pregnant women and women going through menopause are at a higher risk of urinary tract infections, which can cause ammonia-smelling urine.

Diet: Certain Foods Impact Urine Smell

Eating asparagus can give your urine a mild ammonia smell. Other foods such as onions, garlic, Brussels sprouts, dried fruits, honey, coffee, and alcohol can also give urine an odd smell. Remember that dehydration can worsen the urine odor caused by certain foods since there is not enough water to dilute the food’s scent in the urine.

Urinary Tract Infection, Kidney Stones, and Bladder Issues

Bacteria that cause a urinary tract or bladder infection can give urine an ammonia-like odor. Passing kidney stones or bladder stones increases the risk of UTIs, which can also give a person’s urine an ammonia-like or fishy odor.

Additionally, odorous urine can happen if you can’t completely empty your bladder; this condition is referred to as urinary retention.

Learn about the difference between a bladder infection and a UTI.

Other Infections

An underlying infection such as a prostate infection or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia can give urine a bad smell. Additionally, women with bacterial vaginosis may report a smell of rotting fish from their vaginal canal, which may be mistaken for ammonia-smelling urine.

Kidney Dysfunction and Liver Disease

The liver and kidneys are the two main organs responsible for removing natural waste products from the body. Diseases and conditions affecting these organs can increase ammonia levels in the urine, which can result in urine that has a distinct chemical smell like ammonia.

Medications and Supplements

Prenatal vitamins and vitamin B6 supplements can change the smell of urine and make it smell bad. This urine smell usually goes away in a few days.

Metabolic Conditions: Diabetes and Maple Syrup Urine Disease

High blood sugar in people with uncontrolled diabetes can give urine a sweet smell. Additionally, urine can smell sweet in people with a rare genetic disorder called maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). This type of sweet-smelling urine differs from the strong chemical-like smell of ammonia. However, it can sometimes be mistaken for an ammonia smell.

The Connection Between Urine Odor and Health Conditions

If you experience changes in the color or odor of your urine in addition to other symptoms, it is a good idea to call your healthcare provider, especially if the changes persist.

Dehydration and UTIs are common causes of ammonia-smelling urine. In addition to a strong smell, other symptoms in these medical conditions include:

Dehydration: Dark yellow, honey, or brown colored urine; decreased urine volume; increased thirst; dry mouth; dizziness; and tiredness.

UTI Symptoms: Cloudy or bloody urine; burning sensation with urination; frequent urination; fever. Find out 5 effective ways to cure a UTI.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

You should make an appointment to see your healthcare provider if your urine smells like ammonia and you have:

Bloody urine or urine that is red or deep brown
An unusual color of urine that cannot be explained by foods or medications
Changes in urine odor or color lasting more than a few days
Any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, burning pain with urination, flank or back pain, increased thirst, dry mouth, or increased or decreased frequency of urination

Diagnostic Approaches and Treatments

Medical Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Ammonia-Smelling Urine

Your healthcare professional will obtain a detailed medical history and physical examination. They may order a urinalysis and urine culture if you have foul-smelling urine with fever, chills, and flank pain. These tests are done with a urine sample and can help to identify a urinary tract infection.

Treatment Options: UTIs, Kidney Issues, and Dietary Adjustments

Medical treatment for urine that smells like ammonia depends on the underlying cause. If it is from a lack of fluids, your healthcare provider will recommend you avoid dehydration by increasing your water intake. If you have a UTI, your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic to kill the bacteria causing the infection. If certain foods are causing your urine to smell like ammonia, dietary adjustments may solve the problem.

Learn more about “Kidney Infection: When to Go to the Hospital.”

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Changes

Hydration: The Importance of Drinking Plenty of Water

Staying well-hydrated can prevent your urine from becoming concentrated and smelling like ammonia. Aim to drink about 3 liters of fluids daily unless you have kidney or liver disease or heart problems, as these conditions can cause your fluid requirements to differ. Talk to your doctor to learn about your goals for daily fluid intake.

Dietary Adjustments: Foods to Avoid and Foods to Consume

Avoid eating foods like asparagus, onions, garlic, Brussels sprouts, fennel, dried fruit, coffee, honey, curry, cumin, coriander, and alcohol. See if these dietary modifications eliminate the ammonia odor from your urine.

Berries (cranberries, raspberries, blueberries), high-fiber foods, probiotics, and omega-3-rich foods are good for urinary health.

Regular Medical Check-Ups Aid Early Detection and Management

Keep up with your yearly physicals, recommended screening tests, and preventive care. Staying on top of your checkups can help identify any urinary issues early and empower you to get the appropriate treatment.

Ammonia-Smelling Urine: Frequently Asked Questions

Should I be concerned if my urine smells like ammonia?

You should be concerned if your urine smells like ammonia for more than a few days or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as increased thirst, dry mouth, increased or decreased urinary frequency, cloudy or bloody urine, or burning pain with urination.