There are several things that can cause your urine to smell faintly sweet, including urinary tract infections and diabetes. A doctor will likely test your urine to determine the cause.
If you notice a sweet or fruity aroma after urinating, it may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.
The smell of your urine can be affected when your body expels chemicals into it, such as bacteria, glucose, or amino acids. This can be caused by an underlying condition, such as diabetes, a yeast infection, or a rare, genetic condition called maple syrup urine disease.
If you notice a sudden onset of sweet-smelling urine, you should speak with a doctor immediately.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you may notice your pee smells sweet or fruity. This is because the body is trying to get rid of the excess blood sugar and is disposing of glucose through your urine.
For people who haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, this symptom can be one of the first signs they have the disease.
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening condition caused by unmanaged diabetes. In some cases, developing DKA is how a person finds out they have diabetes.
DKA occurs when the body doesn’t have enough glucose and has to burn fat for energy. The fat-burning process releases ketones, which can build up in the blood and urine.
Foetor hepaticus
Foetor hepaticus is a condition that causes your breath to smell sweet or musty. This smell most commonly affects the breath, but can also be detected in the urine. The condition is nicknamed “breath of the dead.”
Foetor hepaticus is a side effect of portal hypertension and liver disease. Treatments vary depending on what’s causing the foetor hepaticus and can include medication and surgery.
Maple syrup urine disease
Clinically known as branched-chain ketoaciduria, maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare genetic disorder. It
MSUD stops your body from breaking down amino acids, which are needed to maintain bodily functions.
This disease is diagnosed in infancy using urinalysis, genetic testing, and newborn screening methods. Common symptoms are:
- urine that smells sweet, like caramel or maple syrup
- poor feeding
- seizures
- delayed development
Although the causes of sweet-smelling urine vary, all conditions can be diagnosed using a urine test, also known as a urinalysis. Depending on what a doctor believes is the cause of the smell, they may test for various substances.
You may also be able to run a urine test yourself. For example, urine ketone test strips that can diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis are available at most drug stores.
Treatment methods for sweet-smelling urine focus on treating the underlying cause of the symptom. For example:
- Diabetes: The most important step in managing diabetes is to regulate blood sugar levels. This can include medication, dietary adjustments, and regular exercise.
- DKA: DKA should be treated immediately in an emergency room with insulin therapy.
- Foetor hepaticus: Treatments vary depending on what’s causing the foetor hepaticus and can include medication, such as antibiotics and surgery.
- MSUD: The short-term treatment for MSUD is amino acid supplementation using an intravenous (IV) line. Long-term treatment plans often involve a dietary plan supervised by a dietitian.
Preventing the onset of sweet-smelling pee involves preventing the conditions that cause it. This can include:
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is genetic and can’t be prevented. Type 2 diabetes, however, can be. Both can be managed with the following tips:
- exercise and eat a whole-foods diet to maintain a healthy weight for your height
- monitor your blood glucose levels
- avoid foods like desserts, breads, and beer that may spike your blood glucose
Consistent diabetes management can prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.
Foetor hepaticus
To prevent foetor hepaticus, it can help to avoid drinking alcohol in excess, eat a balanced diet, and maintain a healthy weight.
A doctor can also work with you to create a plan to help protect against liver disease.
MSUD
MSUD is a genetic condition. While you can’t prevent yourself from getting it, you
Changes in urine odor may be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you experience smelly urine along with any of the following symptoms, you should speak with a doctor immediately:
- blood in urine
- lower stomach pain
- pain in your back or under your ribs
- confusion
- agitation
- feeling fatigued or generally unwell
- feeling hot and shivery
How can I treat sweet-smelling urine?
Treatment methods for sweet-smelling urine focus on treating the underlying cause. For example, if your urine odor is caused by diabetes, a medication adjustment may be needed.
Why does my urine smell?
The smell of your urine can be affected when your body expels chemicals into it, such as bacteria, glucose, or amino acids. This can be caused by an underlying condition, such as diabetes, a yeast infection, or a rare, genetic condition called maple syrup urine disease.
Several factors can cause your urine to have a faintly sweet odor, including urinary tract infections and diabetes.
If you notice a sudden onset of sweet-smelling urine, you should speak with a doctor immediately. They can use a urinalysis to identify the underlying cause and provide a diagnosis where necessary.
Once the underlying condition has been identified, a doctor can then recommend a treatment plan to alleviate or help you manage your symptoms.