If your pee smells like asparagus but you haven't eaten it, it's likely due to dehydration, other sulfur-rich foods (like onions, garlic, broccoli, coffee, meat) or even certain medications/vitamins, but it can also signal a urinary tract infection (UTI), liver issues, or diabetes, especially if you have cloudy urine, pain, or urgency; you should drink more water and see a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.
Besides asparagus, other top offenders in the food category include: Fish makes your urine smell because it contains trimethylamine oxide, which is broken down by gut bacteria into a compound with a strong fishy odor that's excreted in urine and sweat. Garlic contains compounds that give it a strong flavor.
Some foods and medicines, including vitamins, may affect your urine's odor. For example, eating asparagus causes a distinct urine odor. Foul-smelling urine may be due to bacteria. Sweet-smelling urine may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes or a rare disease of metabolism.
Kidney failure can make urine smell strongly of ammonia or have a fishy odor, often due to built-up waste products (amines) or infection, signaling concentrated urine from dehydration or kidney dysfunction. Other signs alongside bad-smelling urine include foamy, bloody, or cola-colored urine, swelling, fatigue, and changes in urination, all pointing to potential kidney issues that require a doctor's evaluation.
The bacteria that cause UTIs can make your urine darker and smell. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis can cause foul-smelling urine or discharge. Medications.
Patients affected by trimethylaminuria will often have fishy-smelling urine. Trimethylaminuria is a genetic disorder in which affected individuals have an enzymatic deficiency that makes them unable to metabolize TMA. Because they cannot metabolize TMA, affected individuals have a buildup of TMA in their bodies.
One sign that you possibly have diabetes or high blood sugar is urine that smells sweet or fruity. The sweetness comes from sugar in your urine and is a sign your body is trying to get rid of extra sugar in your blood.
If your kidneys aren't working properly, you may notice one or more of the following signs:
Liver disease can make urine smell musty, sweet, or like ammonia due to the buildup of toxins (like dimethyl disulfide/methyl mercaptan) that the failing liver can't process, leading to a specific scent known as foetor hepaticus, often accompanied by dark urine and jaundice. This ammonia-like odor comes from excess urea breakdown, while a sweet smell can also signal uncontrolled diabetes, so a medical evaluation is crucial.
Vitamin B supplements may also contribute to strong smelling urine, which may smell slightly musty. However, this is not a cause for concern. When you don't drink enough water, urine becomes more concentrated – this is reflected in its colour and smell.
When a person eats a lot of protein instead of carbohydrates, their body uses protein and stored fat for energy instead of using carbohydrates as it would usually do. As a result, the ketone level in the blood will rise. When these ketones leave the body in the urine, the urine may smell sweet or similar to popcorn.
Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. Your genes affect whether you can smell these sulfur byproducts. If you can't, that's called asparagus anosmia.
Odors may be related to hormonal changes or even diet. For example, foods with a strong odor, like garlic or fish, can cause odor changes in your vagina. However, an unpleasant odor that doesn't go away may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical attention.
Asparagus is infamous for giving urine a pretty strong sulfur smell. Your body converts an acid in asparagus into a sulfur-containing compound, which creates that pungent result. Brussels sprouts, fish, cumin, onions and garlic also can add a certain zest to urine.
Dark or smelly urine - This could be a sign of a kidney infection or something serious, or Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or a UTI. A secretion or discharge from the genitals - This is a common symptom of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
4 Urine Smells With Lupus: Chicken Broth, Ammonia, Fruity, and Fishy. Medically reviewed by Zeba Faroqui, M.D.
Symptoms of acute liver failure may include:
Rarely, people can have bad breath because of organ failure. A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands.
Pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman's body increases production of a pregnancy hormone called hCG. Elevated levels of hCG can cause the urine to have a strong odor, especially during the early stages of pregnancy.
Generally, earlier stages are known as 1 to 3. And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.
Stay Hydrated
Water helps flush out toxins and waste products from your body, allowing your kidneys to function more efficiently. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily, and consider increasing your intake if you're active or live in a hot climate.
Kidney stones form in the kidneys. Symptoms may start as stones move into the ureters. The ureters are thin tubes that let urine pass from the kidneys to the bladder. Symptoms of kidney stones can include serious pain, upset stomach, vomiting, fever, chills and blood in the urine.
The excess sugar and ketones make their way into your urine, resulting in that tell-tale popcorn smell. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to ketoacidosis, a life-threatening metabolic state that occurs when you have excess ketones in your blood.
It's normal to have a small amount of sugar in your pee. But if urine (pee) test results show more than 0.25 mg/ml of glucose, that's glycosuria. Sometimes, glycosuria is a symptom of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). But it can also happen in people with normal or low blood sugar levels.
There are quite a few reasons why your pants might smell like urine (ammonia), such as: Bacterial Vaginosis. Urinary Tract Infection. Menopause.