8 Main causes of mucus in the urine and what to do

The presence of mucus in the urine is usually normal, as it is produced by the urinary tract to coat and protect against germs. However, when there is an excessive amount of mucus or when changes in the consistency or color of the mucus appear, it can mean a urinary problem. Often, the mucus comes with urine but comes from other places, such as the intestine or the genitals, and there, it can also be a sign of disease in those places.

The presence of mucus can make the urine appear cloudy, but the most reliable way to assess the existence of mucus is through urine analysis, in which mucus strands or filaments can be identified. When in addition to these there are epithelial cells, bacteria, cylinders, crystals or pocytes in quantities above normal, it can mean some disease, it is recommended to go to the doctor to investigate the cause and start treatment. For this exam it is important that cleaning is done well so that there is no wrong diagnosis. See how the urine test is done and how to prepare correctly.

Treatment varies depending on the cause of mucus release, but it is usually not necessary. If necessary, it is usually done with the use of antibiotics or medications specific to the disease causing the mucus. The doctor to be consulted also varies according to the case, and, when in doubt, one should go to a general practitioner or specialist in clinical medicine or internal medicine, who will be able to evaluate any of the cases and then refer to the most specialized doctor.

1. Normal urinary mucus

The mucus when moving through the urinary tract allows the elimination of germs that can cause infections. This mucus is normal and is important for protecting the urinary tract.

What to do: when the amount of mucus is moderate, has a thin, clear appearance and is not very thick, or when the urine test only refers to mucoid filaments without other findings, it is likely to be a normal situation and, therefore, normally not no treatment is needed.

However, if the mucus appears in large quantities or if it has other more marked characteristics, such as being thicker, cloudy or colored, it could mean an infection or another disease. In such cases, a urologist, gynecologist, general practitioner or medical practitioner should be consulted.

2. Vaginal discharge

The most common cause of mucus in the urine in women is vaginal discharge, which does not come from the urine but from the vagina and is confused due to the proximity of the two systems.

Vaginal discharge varies throughout the menstrual cycle, which can increase with ovulation and also with the use of the birth control pill. Normally the discharge has no characteristic color or odor and is not thick. During ovulation it becomes more liquid and transparent, similar to egg white.

What to do: the vaginal discharge is usually normal and does not need any treatment, however, if it appears in large quantities, thick, with a strong odor or color and with symptoms such as itching or pain during sex, it may be a gynecological infection that needs to be evaluated by a gynecologist. See the types of vaginal discharge and how to treat each one.

3. Pregnancy

If the discharge is clear, thin, milky and with little smell, it may be a symptom of early pregnancy, starting as early as the 1st or 2nd week of pregnancy. Throughout the pregnancy, the discharge changes its consistency and thickness, becomes more frequent and in greater quantity, reaching its maximum in the last weeks of pregnancy, where it may also contain a pink mucus typically more sticky and in the form of jelly, indicating that the body becomes is preparing for childbirth.

What to do: in most cases, discharge is normal during pregnancy, however, any change in its quantity, consistency, color or odor may suggest a problem. If these changes occur, the woman, or the pregnant woman, should consult an obstetrician-gynecologist, to identify if there are any problems and to start treatment.

See what causes pregnancy discharge and when it can be severe.

4. Urinary infection

When the mucus comes with urine but is very abundant, colored or thick, it is possible that it is a sign of urinary tract infection. This can be urethritis, when the infection is in the urethra, cystitis, when the infection is in the bladder, or pyelonephritis when it is in the kidneys. It is more common to have mucus in the urine in cases of urethritis than in others.

Urethritis is more common in sexually active men and is often associated with sexually transmitted infections. Cystitis is more common in sexually active women or in elderly men, with an enlarged prostate.

In addition to mucus, there are also symptoms in urinary tract infections such as a sudden urge to urinate or difficulty starting to urinate, urinating to the penguins or in large quantities, burning or tingling to urinate and the feeling of heaviness in the bottom of the belly. Sometimes, in addition to mucus in the urine, blood can also be observed. See the risk of having a urinary tract infection.

What to do: If urinary tract infection is suspected, a urologist, gynecologist or general practitioner should be consulted as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment, which is usually done with antibiotics. Drinking a minimum of 2 liters of water a day, hygiene from front to back, peeing after intercourse and avoiding unprotected intercourse, helps to complete treatment and prevent further urinary infections.

5. Sexually transmitted infections

Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause excessive mucus production, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. In gonorrhea, the mucus is yellowish or greenish, resembling pus, while in chlamydia it is more yellowish-white and thicker.

These diseases have symptoms similar to those of urinary infections, such as pain or burning when urinating and abdominal discomfort, but it is also common to experience pain during intimate contact, bleeding between menstrual periods in women, and in men there may be inflammation of the skin of the penis and swelling of the testicles. Check in more detail the symptoms that may indicate an STI.

What to do: when the first symptoms appear, you should go to the urologist or gynecologist, so that you can correctly diagnose and start the treatment, which consists of using antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria that causes STI. As these diseases are transmitted in the sexual act, it is important to use condoms to prevent them and that the sexual partner is also evaluated by a doctor to make the treatment, since if the bacteria is not eliminated in both people, it continues to be transmitted and cause infection, even after treatment.

6. Kidney stone

The presence of kidney stones most of the time does not bring any symptoms, as they are eliminated in the urine in a natural way. However, there are situations in which the stones, when eliminated, get stuck in the urinary channels, which causes the kidney to produce mucus to try to unblock the system.

In addition to mucus in the urine, stones trapped in the channels cause other symptoms, which may go from milder, such as frequent urge to urinate or pain, to the so-called kidney crisis, with severe pain in the side of the back, nausea or vomiting and even blood in the urine. Here's how to know if you may have kidney stones.

What to do: As soon as the first symptoms of kidney stone are felt it is important to go to the urologist to start the appropriate treatment, which varies according to the size of the stone. If it is very large, surgery is recommended, but if the stone is small it may be sufficient to drink a lot of water. Depending on the degree of pain, the urologist may also indicate an analgesic medication.

7. Bladder cancer

Although it is rare, the presence of mucus in the urine due to bladder cancer is also possible. However, in this case the mucus is accompanied by other signs and symptoms such as blood in the urine, difficulty and pain when urinating, need to urinate more often, abdominal pain in addition to weight loss for no apparent reason and general tiredness.

What to do: when these symptoms appear, especially weight loss and fatigue, it is necessary to quickly seek the advice of a urologist because in addition to being a serious situation, the sooner you diagnose and treat cancer, the greater the chances of a cure. Learn about how to identify and treat bladder cancer.

8. Intestinal diseases

In certain intestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome, there may be excess mucus production in the intestine, which is eliminated in the poo.

When mucus is eliminated in the poop, especially in women, due to the proximity between the urinary and anal orifices, it may appear to be coming out in the urine, as it gets mixed in the vessel or appears in the urine analysis, if a proper cleaning is not done before pee into the glass.

What to do: If there is a suspicion of an intestinal change, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist to make the diagnosis and start treatment. Depending on the cause, treatment can be done with medications that allow to delay the progression of the disease or others to control diarrhea, as well as vitamin supplements and the adoption of a diet to avoid fatigue and anemia.

When to go to the doctor

It is important to go to the doctor when you notice a large volume of mucus being released into the urine and when in addition to this mucus you feel pain when urinating, low back pain, dark and smelly urine, swelling of the genitals or discharge, in the case of women.

It is important to pay attention to aspects of urine, as even a dehydration can be noticed from your observation. See what are the common urine changes.