Question:
What does it mean when you have strong smelling urine

for the past few weeks, my urine has been EXTREMELY strong smelling. I can't describe the smell, just that it is very strong. Does anyone know what this could mean????    — enjo4 (posted on September 16, 2001)

September 15, 2001
Erin, I'm not a doctor but my first thought was that I had the same experience when I was first post-op. It went away as I was able to drink more water. I assumed it was because I wasn't getting in as much water as I normally do early on after my surgery; that the strong smell was because the urine was more "concentrated" than usual. As I began to be able to drink more water, my urine became more pale lemon yellow in color, far less concentrated, and the odor disappeared. But if in doubt, of course, check with your physician. HTH.
   — CaseyinLA

September 16, 2001
Either you really really like Asparagus, or it is probably just your body getting rid of stuff! Keep trying to drink more water and flush it all out! Also, if you just started a new vitamin, it could be that.
   — Karen R.

September 16, 2001
I agree with the answers below, but think you need to be more specific. If the odor is a NORMAL strong smell, it is most likely that you should drink more water. But, if the smell is foul or your urine is cloudy, you shoud go to your PCP for a urine test. After major surgery, you just shouldn't take chances. If you read the profiles, a lot of the bigger problems people have had post surgery is with out of control infections. You don't want to play around. And if you have any time of pain - get an appointment right away!
   — Julie S.

September 16, 2001
I am 3 months post op and have had 2 urine tests so far for UTI's. The first time my husband said he could smell the urine coming from me, the doctor told me that anytime the urine is concentrated it will smell bad. I have tried to drink more and more each day but I still can't drink enough to get my urine back to normal. I would say that first of all you listen to your doctor says and second of all know that some of us are in the same position...I am very happy to know I am not the only one :o)
   — Mandy M.

September 16, 2001
Adding more to what had been written, you might want to check your vites. The B vites are usually what gives the strong odor. So, if you are taking extra B's, over & above your mutli vites, or some hair preparations, that extra concentration of B can be pretty, um, noticable! You can have all that info with you when you check in with your doc.
   — vitalady