Urine Smells Like Eggs? [9 Reason Why Your Pee Has a Sulfuric Odor]

Peeing is an everyday thing. But smelling sulfur while you go “Number 1” isn’t common. If you’re concerned, it’s worth investigating. Discover possible reasons why your urine smells like eggs, and when you should see a doctor about it.

Is Urine Supposed to Smell?

Yes. Your urine has a unique smell. This varies based on what you’ve eaten and how much fluids you’ve had to drink.
Sometimes, urine can even smell like eggs. But this sulfuric smell isn’t a cause for concern. It could be normal. 
However, it could also be a sign of an infection or an illness if you also develop other symptoms along with a sulfur smell when you pee.

9 Reasons Your Urine Smell Like Eggs

These 9 situations and conditions can often make your urine smell like sulfur. However, only a trained medical professional is qualified to diagnose you. So, use these tips as a guideline. And please talk to a doctor if you’re concerned.

1. You Ate Certain Foods

Sometimes, you can tell what you ate by the odor of your pee. Asparagus is infamous for making your urine smell like eggs. That’s because our bodies break it down into sulfuric components. Onions and garlic are equally to blame.

Limiting how much asparagus or onions you eat is the only way to fully avoid the sulfuric urine smell. Alternatively, drinking plenty of water before and after you eat them can help reduce the smell by diluting the sulfuric chemicals.

2. Dehydration

Pee is made of water and chemicals. If you don’t have much water in your body, the chemical ratio in your urine becomes much higher. And that has the potential to have a powerful odor.

Dehydration is a serious issue, as it can affect your overall health. If you have a dry mouth, fatigue, headache, dry skin, and dizziness, you should definitely drink more fluids.

3. Medication

If you’re taking Vitamin B supplements of sulfa drugs, those can change the smell of your pee too. They create sulfuric chemicals that leave your body through urine that smells like eggs.

Sulfa drugs can treat a variety of conditions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Infections
• Diabetes

If the smell of your pee bothers you, you can talk to your doctor about alternative medications.

4. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

UTIs are painful bacterial infections. And they have the tendency to change the smell of your pee too.
It’s important to look out for the symptoms of a UTI:

• Burning sensations when you’re peeing
• Urge to pee often, but only peeing small amounts
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Pelvic pain for women

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to see a doctor about it. They can prescribe antibiotics for you to get rid of the infection.

You can prevent a UTI by drinking plenty of water, drinking cranberry juice (the jury is still out on this one), and peeing after intercourse.

5. Cystitis

Cystitis is a bladder infection. Often, it’s a bacterial infection, which can affect a strong egg-like smell of pee. The symptoms of cystitis are similar to a UTI, but even more serious.

Symptoms to look out for if you suspect that you have cystitis:

• Frequent urge to urinate, even after you’ve just peed
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Abdominal or lower back cramping
• Pain during intercourse

It’s crucial to see a doctor about cystitis. Antibiotic treatment can restore your normal bladder functions. If you want to prevent UTIs or cystitis, drinking cranberry juice is very helpful.

6. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is an inflammation of a man’s prostate. Sometimes, prostatitis is chronic or acute, other times it’s a result of a bacteria infection. This bacteria can make your pee smell like eggs.

Other symptoms of prostatitis are:

• Pain in or near the scrotum, penis, or perineum
• Pain in the lower back
• Pain during or after urination
• Pain during or after ejaculation
• A urine stream that’s weaker than normal, or is interrupted

It’s important to talk to a doctor if you’re experiencing the symptoms of prostatitis.

7. Fistula

Fistulas are abnormal connections between two parts of your body. If this connection is between your intestines and bladder, it can affect the smell of your urine. The bacteria from your intestines travels into the bladder, which is why the sulfuric odor is so pungent.

If you have recurrent UTIs or bladder infections, it’s worth investigating whether a fistula is behind it. A doctor can determine this. If so, they may recommend surgery to treat it.

8. Liver Problems

Your liver is responsible for filtering toxins in your body. If it isn’t functioning properly, it can change the smell, color, and consistency of your pee.

Liver problems are a serious problem. Monitor your symptoms, which could include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles
• Itching skin
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Urine that’s darker in color than normal
• Loss of appetite
• Being bruised easier than normal
• Pale stool, tar-colored stool, or blood in the stool

Talking to a doctor about these symptoms is crucial to get you diagnosed. Then, the doctor can recommend a suitable treatment plan. For mild cases, this can include a diet plan, limiting alcohol consumption, and taking medication for viruses that cause liver problems.
In severe cases, the doctor may recommend a liver transplant.

9. Hypermethioninemia

Hypermethioninemia happens when there’s excess methionine in your blood. It’s an inherited condition. Your pee can smell like eggs because the methionine isn’t broken down properly. This can also affect the smell of your breath or sweat.

Other symptoms of hypermethioninemia include developmental delays in infants and toddlers, liver problems, muscle weakness, and neurological problems.

A doctor can devise a suitable treatment plan if you have hypermethioninemia. This can include a low-methionine diet and medication to manage your symptoms.

When to See a Doctor About the Odor of Your Pee

While the smell of your pee alone shouldn’t be cause for concern, experiencing other symptoms related to these conditions is a clear sign that you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Generally, you should talk to a doctor about your pee if:

• You feel pain when urinating
• Your urine is cloudy
• There’s blood in your urine
• You feel abdominal, pelvic, or back pain

Talk to a Doctor About Your Urine Concerns

Having a funny smell to your pee can be alarming. Monitor your body to see if you develop any suspicious symptoms. If you’re concerned, it’s best to speak to a doctor.

And it’s never been easier to speak to a doctor. Just book a consultation appointment with Carefree MD after you activate your membership. Our board-certified doctors can offer you quality medical advice on the odor of your urine. All from the comfort of your home.

With a Carefree MD membership, you get 24/7, unlimited access to a doctor on call for $17.95 per month. Sign up today! 

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