Yes, urine can smell fishy due to diet (like fish, seafood, choline-rich foods), dehydration, certain medications/supplements (like B vitamins), or infections (like UTIs, especially in women). While often temporary and harmless, a persistent fishy smell can signal a rare genetic condition called trimethylaminuria (Fish Odor Syndrome) or other health issues, so it's best to consult a doctor if it continues.
Foul-smelling urine may be due to bacteria. Sweet-smelling urine may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes or a rare disease of metabolism. Liver disease and certain metabolic disorders may cause musty-smelling urine.
Urine might have an ammonia smell due to eating certain foods, a urinary tract infection, a liver or kidney problem, or dehydration.
If you are dehydrated, your urine may smell like ammonia. Maple syrup urine disease. This genetic disease can cause the amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine to build up in the blood. People with this condition may have urine that smells like maple syrup.
Urine that smells fishy is not typical, but many of the causes are mild or treatable. Certain supplements, medications, or foods may change how urine smells. Some infections, such as UTIs or BV, can also cause this symptom.
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU, fish odor syndrome) is an uncommon condition that makes people smell like rotten fish. It's a metabolic disorder. People with TMAU may develop depression and anxiety. There's no cure for TMAU.
Common causes of a fishy odour include poor hygiene, gingivitis, bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections. Advanced kidney or liver disease may also cause this condition.
Urine might have an ammonia smell due to eating certain foods, a urinary tract infection, a liver or kidney problem, or dehydration.
When to Visit the Doctor for Foul-Smelling Urine. Since the primary cause of foul-smelling urine is dehydration, Dr. Davis suggests increasing your water intake for 24 hours. If the smell persists, or you notice additional symptoms of pain, urgency or change in urine color, contact your doctor.
If you are dehydrated, your urine may smell like ammonia. Maple syrup urine disease. This genetic disease can cause the amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine to build up in the blood. People with this condition may have urine that smells like maple syrup.
For a fishy urine smell, it's important to increase your hydration by drinking more water, as this can help to dilute the odor. You can also avoid foods that are known to cause fishy-smelling urine.
Symptoms of acute liver failure may include:
Bladder infection. Cystitis (irritation of the bladder) Dehydration — when the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to work as it should. Diabetic ketoacidosis (in which the body has high levels of blood acids called ketones)
Foetor hepaticus is a feature of severe liver disease; a sweet and musty smell both on the breath and in urine.
Nonenal® (also known as 2-Nonenal) is a naturally occurring compound responsible for the distinct odor associated with aging. It typically appears after age 40, becoming more noticeable in both men and women.
If there are symptoms of liver disease, they may include: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. Yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black or brown skin. Belly pain and swelling.
Here are 10 foods that cleanse your liver naturally and support healthy liver function:
Key takeaways:
Foul-smelling urine is not a symptom of cancer. The most common cause of foul-smelling urine is a urinary tract infection.