Perimenopause & Urine Odor: Understanding the Cause & Relief

Question
Hello Catherine!

I am a 43-year-old woman. I have been going through perimenopause now for about two years (my physician confirmed it by administering a urine test).

I am reasonably healthy, not overweight, do not smoke, and I have never been pregnant. I have no pain or discomfort in the abdominal area, no unusual discharge, and no problems with urine flow, frequency, or anything.

EXCEPT THIS: For the past four months or so, I have noticed a very strong ammonia-like smell every time I urinate -- it doesn't matter what time of day it is, how much urine I am producing, how clear or how dark it is, depending on how much liquid I take in, etc. -- it just always smells really pungent, foul, and strong, like ammonia. Could this be part and parcel of my journey through menopause (since I am going through it relatively early) or an asymptomatic symptom of some kind of vaginal or cervical cancer?

I am not under extreme stress; my medication use has not changed (I am on 200 mg Zoloft daily and 15 mg Tranxene (3Xday or as needed). I have not changed any of the types of foods I have been eating, nor have I changed anything about my lifestyle or my sexual activity. (There is no activity to report! SMILE)

I've had three bladder infections and three separate instances of kidney stones in my earlier years, but nothing like that has occurred since I was 29.

I have the usual hot flashes, flushing, weight gain, bloating, irritability, and a few other small symptoms of menopause, but I have never heard of odorous urine being associated with this.

I haven't had a period in nine months, which is a blessing, but I wonder, again, if this is associated with my menopause or could be asymptomatic of something else.

Do you have any ideas about what might be causing this odor? I know about the "asparagus" smell because I've noticed it when I have eaten asparagus, but it's not that -- and I have not changed my diet or anything else I can even think of that might cause this.

Thanks in advance!

Catherine

Answer
catherine;

with a couple of exceptions,urine usually is clear or a delicately tinged yellow,with a sight hint of ammonia odor.
a change from this norm is sometimes cause for concern.

most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. the liver normally converts ammonia into urea,which is then eliminated in urine.

ammonia levels in the blood rise when the liver is not able to convert ammonia to urea. this may be caused by cirrhosis or severe hepatitis.

an ammonia test measures the amount of ammonia in the blood,if this odor is so bad,maybe you should have your levels checked.

i suggest talking it over with your doctor;

catherine;