Smelly urine

Smelly pee on its own isn't usually a cause for concern. There are often things you can do to help your pee return to normal.

Common causes of smelly pee

Pee is usually clear or pale yellow, with a mild smell.

Common things that can make your pee smell stronger include:

• certain types of food and drink, like asparagus or coffee
• being dehydrated
• some medicines
• vitamin B6 supplements

Things you can do yourself

Try these things to help keep your pee clear and smelling mild.

Do

• drink plenty of fluids, particularly water or squash – drink more in hot weather and when exercising

Don't

• drink a lot of coffee or alcohol
• eat garlic or asparagus – they contain strong-smelling chemicals that can pass into your pee
• take more than 10mg of vitamin B6 a day

See a GP if you have smelly pee and:

• you need to pee suddenly, or more often than usual
• you have pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• there's blood in your pee
• you have lower tummy pain
• you feel tired and unwell
• you're feeling confused or agitated

These may be symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Less common causes of smelly pee

Other symptoms you have might give you an idea of what's causing your pee to smell. But don't self-diagnose – always see a GP.