Is a rotten egg smell in urine a sign of pus in the urethra?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

A rotten egg smell in urine is typically caused by certain sulfur-containing chemicals from foods (like asparagus, garlic, or eggs), medications, or dehydration — not pus in the urethra. In some cases, however, it may signal a urinary tract infection, liver issues, or a metabolic condition that warrants medical attention.

Because urine odor can point to many different underlying causes — some harmless, some more serious — the smartest next step is to identify what's actually driving your symptoms. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights based on your specific situation and clear guidance on whether you should see a doctor, adjust your diet, or simply monitor at home. It takes just a few minutes and could save you hours of worry or unnecessary appointments.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

A rotten egg smell in urine is often caused by chemicals like sulfur compounds, rather than pus in the urethra. Reference 1 discusses how certain chemicals in the body can lead to different urine odors, including those that smell like rotten eggs. This is usually due to sulfur compounds, which are naturally occurring in the body.

Reference 2 also notes that people can perceive different smells in urine due to these chemicals. While pus can cause changes in urine smell, the specific rotten egg odor is more linked to sulfur.

Reference 3 explains that hydrogen sulfide, a sulfur compound, can be toxic in high amounts, but in the body, it is usually present in much smaller, non-toxic amounts. Therefore, if you notice a rotten egg smell in your urine, it might not be related to pus, but rather to these natural sulfur compounds. If you're experiencing unusual symptoms or concerns about your urinary health, you can check your symptoms for personalized insights and guidance.

(References)

Waring RH, Mitchell SC, & Fenwick GR. (1987). The chemical nature of the urinary odour produced by man .... Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems, 3433805.
Pelchat ML, Bykowski C, Duke FF, & Reed DR. (2011). Excretion and perception of a characteristic odor in urine .... Chemical senses, 20876394.
Daldal H, Beder B, Serin S, & Sungurtekin H. (2010). Hydrogen sulfide toxicity in a thermal spring: a fatal outcome. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 20704456.

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