It is natural to feel embarrassed to talk about urine smells. However, the truth is that a change in the smell of your urine can tell a lot about your overall health. Generally, the change in its smell is not because of anything serious, but it sometimes can indicate an underlying medical condition.

Urine Smells Like Eggs: Causes

So many things can make your urine smell like eggs or sulfur. That smell could be due to one of the following reasons:

1. Diet

The urine smell could be the result of what you are eating. So many foods can be responsible for making your urine smell like eggs. Asparagus is a good example. The stench you notice is due to a sulfur compound called methyl mercaptan which is present in garlic, asparagus, and many other foods. This compound will be broken into small components, causing the egg-like smell in one's urine. 

2. Dehydration

The smell of your urine will become stronger when you are dehydrated. When you do not drink enough fluids, the concentration of toxins and other substances in your urine becomes high. This can change the appearance and smell of your urine. 

3. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

One reason why your urine smells like eggs is that you have developed urinary tract infection. The odor is due to the parasites, fungi, or bacteria in your urine. The urinary tract includes your kidneys, bladder and urethra, and any of these organs can become infected and make your urine to smell like eggs. If that odor is due to UTI, you may have other symptoms as well, such as itching, unusual discharge, burning while urinating, and a feeling to urinate all the time.

4. Liver Problems

When you have liver problems, your urine may smell like sulfur. Your liver processes waste and eliminates it from your body with the help of your kidneys. The appearance and smell of your urine is going to change when your liver function is poor.

When to Call Your Doctor

You should talk to your doctor if you believe that the odor is not because of diet, if the smell persists for more than a couple of days and comes with a fever, side pain, excessive thirst, vomiting, and discharge.

Urine Smells Like Eggs: Treatment

Home Remedies

• Increase your intake of water. You may be dehydrated and drinking more fluids can help make your urine look and smell normal. Increasing your intake of water may also help treat some minor infections.
• Include cranberry juice in your diet because it helps eliminate bacteria that cause a urinary tract infection.
• Limit your intake of food high in methyl mercaptan, such as asparagus, garlic, and onions.
• Pay attention to proper hygiene, especially if you have a history of dealing with urinary tract infections.
• Use water and baking soda to treat urinary tract infections. Simply add half a teaspoon of baking soda to 4 liters of warm water and sip throughout the day.
• Include honey and salt-free yogurt in your diet.

Professional Treatment

When you have tried home remedies without any luck, you may want to talk to your doctor for a correct diagnosis. They would recommend urine tests, such as urine culture and urinalysis to help identify the underlying cause. The tests help confirm if you have a bacterial infection.

While antibiotics are usually required to help deal with a bacterial infection, most doctors do not use it as the first line of treatment. That is mainly because antibiotics can cause severe side effects and kill both good and bad bacteria, leading to other serious digestive issues.

Other Urine Smells and Related Conditions

Now you know the reasons why your urine smells like eggs. Other conditions that can cause abnormal urine odors include:

• Diabetes: Your urine is likely to have a fruity smell when you have diabetes. It indicates that your kidneys are trying to get rid of excess glucose. You have to work with your doctor to properly control your condition.
• Maple Syrup Urine Disease: That fruit urine smell could also be due to maple syrup urine disease. This rare disease usually affects children and is actually an inherited metabolic disorder. It means that your child's body is unable to process amino acids. You may also notice some other symptoms in your child, such as lack of energy, poor feeding, developmental delays, and vomiting.