# What might make a person suddenly start smelling like urine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 11, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809 "2010-10-11T18:24:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/1 "2010-10-11T18:24:36Z")
I have a coworker who had her appendix out recently. Since she’s returned to work after the surgery she’s had a strong urine smell, even right after she returns from the bathroom. It’s difficult to stay within a few feet of her for more than a minute or two since the smell is so strong. She’s a nice lady, so I’m not making fun of her here, just wondering if anyone has any idea what might be causing this? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/2 "2010-10-11T18:30:07Z")
This assumes she really had her appendix out, unless she had a more serious/embarrassing (to her) condition/surgery. Is is possible the appendectomy story is just a cover to explain why she was out having surgery? ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/3 "2010-10-11T18:38:50Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > This assumes she really had her appendix out, unless she had a more serious/embarrassing (to her) condition/surgery. > > Is is possible the appendectomy story is just a cover to explain why she was out having surgery? Sure, that’s possible. Are there other surgeries that might cause this? I’m not sure if this matters but she is quite obese as well. It just seems like a strange sudden symptom. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/4 "2010-10-11T18:39:43Z")
How long since she’s had the surgery? If she had complications that required a sizeable incision, she may have staples or something that’s preventing her from bathing/showering. If that’s the case, perhaps what you’re smelling is just _extreme_ body odor, and not actual urine. ---
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/5 "2010-10-11T18:41:08Z")
Depends. No joke, older people (usually in their 80’s or so) have lost some (or all) control of their bladder. My mother in law was like that. The problem may be temporary if she’s fairly young. I’m sure there’s a pill for that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/6 "2010-10-11T18:42:13Z")
Or it’s possible to end up leaking urine through a fistula or something similar - perhaps she went in for a repair that didn’t work or something. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/7 "2010-10-11T18:55:41Z")
Could she be hiding a catheter/bag? ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/8 "2010-10-11T19:06:24Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Could she be hiding a catheter/bag? Maybe, but if it’s a bag /depends situation it seems like returning from the restroom would be the one time when the smell would go away, at least for a little while. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/9 "2010-10-11T19:12:37Z")
> [@Shark\_Sandwich](#): > > How long since she’s had the surgery? If she had complications that required a sizeable incision, she may have staples or something that’s preventing her from bathing/showering. If that’s the case, perhaps what you’re smelling is just _extreme_ body odor, and not actual urine. no, this is definitely a urine smell. It’s been maybe 2 months since her surgery. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/10 "2010-10-11T19:33:21Z")
Alright… I asked around… and I got this answer from several older women in the office, because they’ve seen (smelled) everything there is to see/smell when it comes to people issues: After a hysterectomy, some women get a very strong ammonia smell to them. After using the bathroom, no matter how hard they try, there is some residual urine to be found on their underwear. They can wait, and try and try and try to get it all out, but it’s just inevitable the very ammonia-laden smell (worse after some surgeries) is going to be found in their urine and eventually on the underwear. One lady insists that the skin (especially scalp) can get a funky urine smell after a hysterectomy. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/11 "2010-10-11T19:40:36Z")
She might have had a urostomy placed. That’ll often leave a pervasive urine odor that really won’t quit, despite best efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/12 "2010-10-11T19:42:14Z")
He’s gonna reply it’s an issue after using the bathroom… ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/13 "2010-10-11T19:58:46Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Alright… I asked around… and I got this answer from several older women in the office, because they’ve seen (smelled) everything there is to see/smell when it comes to people issues: > > After a hysterectomy, some women get a very strong ammonia smell to them. After using the bathroom, no matter how hard they try, there is some residual urine to be found on their underwear. They can wait, and try and try and try to get it all out, but it’s just inevitable the very ammonia-laden smell (worse after some surgeries) is going to be found in their urine and eventually on the underwear. > > One lady insists that the skin (especially scalp) can get a funky urine smell after a hysterectomy. Thanks Philster, that could be it. Our bodies are so strange sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/14 "2010-10-11T20:41:44Z")
Has she lost weight recently? Is she on an extremely low carb diet? Some people have an ammonia smell to their sweat if they’re breaking down amino acids instead of carbohydrates or body fat for fuel. If they have good strong kidneys and good hydration, then their kidneys will excrete the extra ammonia compounds produced, but if they’re older, have compromised kidneys or are burning simply too many amino acids for the kidneys to keep up, their bodies will excrete the ammonia in their sweat, instead. It’s well known in the bodybuilding sphere; not so well known outside of it. [http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=326](http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=326) ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/15 "2010-10-11T20:53:01Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Has she lost weight recently? Is she on an extremely low carb diet? Some people have an ammonia smell to their sweat if they’re breaking down amino acids instead of carbohydrates or body fat for fuel. If they have good strong kidneys and good hydration, then their kidneys will excrete the extra ammonia compounds produced, but if they’re older, have compromised kidneys or are burning simply too many amino acids for the kidneys to keep up, their bodies will excrete the ammonia in their sweat, instead. > > It’s well known in the bodybuilding sphere; not so well known outside of it. > > [From the Forum - What's that Ammonia Smell?](http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=326) That’s…gross. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/16 "2010-10-11T21:10:51Z")
Grosser than fistulas and colostomy bags and post-hysterectomy women pissing their undies? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/17 "2010-10-11T21:14:35Z")
There’s a good documentary called _A Walk to Beautiful_ about an African fistula hospital - fistulas are very common in parts of the world with poor nutrition and standards of childbirth care, and these women inhabit a truly wretched place in society. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/18 "2010-10-11T23:07:47Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Grosser than fistulas and colostomy bags and post-hysterectomy women pissing their undies? Well, no, good point. > [@Zsofia](#): > > There’s a good documentary called _A Walk to Beautiful_ about an African fistula hospital - fistulas are very common in parts of the world with poor nutrition and standards of childbirth care, and these women inhabit a truly wretched place in society. I have seen that documentary and found it very moving. I think most of the women were suffering because they had given birth at such a young age, but this woman is older and not a parent. What else might cause a fistula? ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/19 "2010-10-11T23:16:44Z")
Get her to drink cranberry juice with her meals or on breaks. It removes the urine odor from urine. My late mom’s nursing home served it with every meal and I never smelled urine during any visits. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809/20 "2010-10-11T23:20:07Z")
> [@Ignatz](#): > > Get her to drink cranberry juice with her meals or on breaks. It removes the urine odor from urine. My late mom’s nursing home served it with every meal and I never smelled urine during any visits. She’s a coworker, so I don’t really have any control over her beverage choices. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-make-a-person-suddenly-start-smelling-like-urine/556809.md?page=2)