Strong smelling urine in women can be an indicator of different conditions. Sometimes women may come across a strong, acrid, sweet, or foul odor in their urine. They may ignore it at first, but if it persists, it may become a matter of embarrassment and ill health for you.
Probably the most common cause of a strong smell in the urine is dehydration. We do not realize the importance of water in our bodies. We simply take it for granted that since we are functioning normally, our body has enough water. If you exercise regularly, or are involved in strenuous physical work, and do not drink enough water (at least 2 liters per day), then all the water from your body that is lost through perspiration, does not get replaced by fresh water. This reduces the water content in the urine and increases the concentration of the urine in color and odor. Hence, it gives out a foul ammonia smell.
Another reason you could be experiencing a strong smell in your urine is that you may have somehow picked up a urinary tract infection (UTI). It is nothing to be ashamed of. Every woman experiences a UTI at least once in her life and it is fairly easy to treat when diagnosed. If you think you may have a UTI, then get your urine tested and follow the advice of the doctor.
Many women often associate the strong smell in their urine with a UTI. While this may be true in some cases, in others, a vaginal infection can also be the cause of a strong odor in the urine. The odor that they associate with the urine may actually be an odor from the vagina. So, if your strong smelling urine is also accompanied by vaginal burning and itching, then it is a better idea to get yourself tested and treated for the infection by a medical professional.
Sometimes certain foods or medications are responsible for rendering a strong smell to your urine. For instance, asparagus is one of the foods that causes a foul odor in the urine. This is because the asparaginic acid is metabolized by the body. Also, if you’ve been taking a lot of medication for another disorder, or have been taking some vitamin or other health supplements, then they could be the cause for the strong smell in the urine. Hence, consult your physician about them before you take any treatment for it.
Since dehydration is the major cause of strong smelling urine, the obvious antidote is to rehydrate your body. Drink as much water as you can, whether you have a sedentary or a physically straining job, the body needs water to ensure that all the life processes are carried out smoothly. Hence, see to it that you drink at least 2 liters of water everyday. This will increase the water content in the urine and in turn, reduce the strong odor.
In addition to the 2 liters of water, it would be a very good idea to drink it with some cranberry juice in it. This will not only add a pleasant flavor to the water, it will also help to prevent and treat a UTI if you have one. The cranberry prevents the bacteria from multiplying and in this way helps to treat the infection. It is a simple, delicious and not to mention, inexpensive measure to ward off the strong odor in your urine.
For diabetics who experience a strong smell in their urine, a piece of advice would be to avoid aerated drinks and sweets totally. This will reduce the level of the sugar intake in the body and in turn, the excretion of these sugars in the urine, which has a strong odor.
The causes and treatment for strong smelling urine in women may differ from person to person. It depends on the physical structure, constitution, and also the lifestyle of the person. The ones mentioned above are the most common causes and treatments. If your condition persists for long, consult your doctor for medical advice.