A weird urine smell is usually from something simple (like food or dehydration), but sometimes it’s a warning sign that needs checking out.

Quick Scoop

Most common harmless reasons

These are the “everyday” reasons your pee might suddenly smell different.

  • Dehydration
    • Dark yellow pee with a strong “ammonia” smell.
    • You’re not drinking enough water; smell often improves in a day or two once you hydrate more.
  • Foods and drinks
    • Asparagus, garlic, onions, Brussels sprouts, some spices, and coffee can make urine smell strong or sulfur-like very quickly.
* The smell can show up within hours and usually fades by the next day once the food is out of your system.
  • Vitamins and medicines
    • Vitamin B6 and some multivitamins can cause a strong or “vitamin” smell.
* Certain medications (especially some antibiotics or supplements) can change color and odor at the same time.

If your only symptom is a new smell and you recently changed what you eat/drink or started vitamins, it’s often not serious and may settle on its own.

When it could be an infection

Infections are among the most common “medical” reasons for foul‑smelling pee.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) – very common Watch for:

  • Burning or stinging when you pee.
  • Needing to pee more often or urgently, but only small amounts come out.
  • Cloudy pee, blood in pee, or strong foul smell.
  • Lower belly pain, feeling generally unwell.

If you have several of these, you should see a doctor or urgent clinic soon—UTIs usually need antibiotics and can spread to the kidneys if ignored.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

  • Some STIs (like chlamydia or trichomoniasis) can cause discharge from the penis or vagina that alters how your pee smells as it passes.
  • Often there’s also: genital discharge, itching, burning with urination, pain with sex, or pelvic discomfort.

If you’re sexually active and notice smell changes plus discharge or burning, you should get STI testing. Vaginal infections (if you have a vagina)

  • Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections can cause fishy, sour, or sweet smells from discharge; when you pee, the urine mixes with this and seems smelly even if the urine itself is okay.
  • You might notice itching, irritation, or thicker/changed discharge.

A gynecologist, sexual health clinic, or primary care provider can usually diagnose this quickly and treat it with pills or creams.

Less common but more serious causes

These aren’t the first things doctors jump to, but they matter if smell changes come with other symptoms.

  • Kidney infection or stones
    • Strong odor plus flank/back pain (around the sides or lower back), fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, blood in the urine.
* This is urgent—seek same‑day care or emergency care if you feel really unwell.
  • Diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
    • Very sweet or “fruity” smell, extreme thirst, peeing a lot, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, or fast breathing.
* If you have diabetes and feel sick with these symptoms, it can be an emergency situation.
  • Liver/kidney disease and rare metabolic conditions
    • Persistent strange odor plus swelling, very dark urine, yellowing of the eyes/skin, or ongoing fatigue.
* Some rare genetic disorders can make urine smell like maple syrup or have other odd odors, usually noticed in infancy, not suddenly in healthy adults.

If your weird‑smelling pee is persistent and you can’t link it to food or dehydration, it’s smart to get checked.

Simple checks you can do today

You can do a quick “self‑audit” before panicking.

  1. Look at the color
    • Pale straw to light yellow: usually well‑hydrated.
    • Dark yellow/amber: probably dehydrated.
    • Pink/red or cola‑colored: could be blood—needs medical attention.
  1. Think about the last 24–48 hours
    • Ate asparagus, garlic, strong spices, or drank a lot of coffee or energy drinks?
    • Started new vitamins, supplements, or medications?
  2. Check for other symptoms
    • Any burning, pain, fever, back pain, discharge, or needing to pee constantly?
    • Any nausea, vomiting, or feeling really unwell?
  3. Hydrate and watch
    • Drink water regularly over the next day (unless a doctor has limited your fluids).
    • If the smell improves as your pee gets paler, dehydration/food is likely the cause.

When you should see a doctor (or urgent care)

Get medical help soon (within 24 hours, or same‑day if possible) if:

  • The smell is strong or foul and lasts more than 1–2 days with no obvious food/vitamin cause.
  • You have burning, pain when peeing, or pee much more often than usual.
  • Your pee is cloudy or has blood in it.
  • You have fever, chills, nausea, or pain in your side or back.
  • You’re pregnant and notice new smell changes or UTI‑like symptoms.
  • You have diabetes and notice sweet‑smelling urine with feeling unwell.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department if you have: severe back/side pain, high fever, confusion, vomiting you can’t keep anything down, or signs of diabetic crisis (deep rapid breathing, confusion, very high blood sugar).

Quick FAQ style recap

  • “My pee smells weird but no pain—am I okay?”
    Often yes; food, dehydration, or vitamins are common causes, especially if it goes away in a day or two.
  • “It smells fishy.”
    More likely from vaginal discharge (bacterial vaginosis, STI) than the urine itself—see a doctor or sexual health clinic.
  • “It’s sweet or fruity.”
    Could be related to uncontrolled diabetes or ketones—especially if you’re very thirsty and peeing a lot; this needs prompt medical evaluation.
  • “How long can I just watch it?”
    If no pain, no fever, and color is normal, you can usually watch 24–48 hours while hydrating and avoiding suspect foods, but if it stays weird or you’re worried, get checked.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.