Many young women do not undergo the evaluation because UTI s in females are so common. These are simply treated as they arise or a prophylactic dose of antibiotics for three to six months. The condition you have is called gross hematuria. There are a wide variety of causes ranging from cancers of the bladder and kidney to stones to simple urianry tract. When IVP and cystoscopy do not yield a cause, CT scan is performed.
Papillary necrosis leads to bleeding by sloughing off the lining of the kidney.
AV malformations most commonly occur as result of renal biopsy procedures although they can arise by themselves. These are diagnosed by arteriogram of the kidney. If no cause is found, Amicar is a reasonable treatment option. An arteriogram during the bleeding episode may also be helpful. If the cause is not found, the bleeding can come back .