Considerations for Mucus in Urine Female
Analyzing mucus in urine can be more complicated for female patients. Healthy vaginas naturally secrete mucus, lactic acid, and vaginal flora. These secretions may contaminate a urine sample and lead to false positives [11].
For instance, the presence of mucus discharge in urine could cause healthcare providers to mistake normal vaginal mucus for proteinuria. This condition occurs when the body excretes abnormally high levels of protein in urine. Similarly, lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillales) may lead providers to mistakenly conclude that the patient has abnormal bacterial growth in their urine [11]. In women, a balanced urogenital flora (good bacteria) is vital to maintaining a healthy vagina.
Healthcare providers can verify the results of a woman's urinalysis by assessing her symptoms and reviewing a urine culture report [11].
Causes of Mucus in Urine Male
It's normal for men to have small amounts of mucus in their urine. However, several health conditions can cause mucus and other thick fluids to appear in men's urine, including:
- Prostatitis. Acute prostatitis occurs when the prostate gland gets infected by bacteria. This condition can cause thick discharge to secrete out of the penis from the urethra. This fluid may look like mucus in urine but comes from the prostate [12].
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Also known as an enlarged prostate, this condition commonly affects men over the age of 40. Symptoms of an enlarged may include discharge from the urethra, unusually colored urine, and frequent urination [13].
Considerations in Children
Children can experience a condition called chyluria that occurs when milky fluid from the bowels leaks into the urinary tract. Chyluria makes urine appear cloudy or milky and could be mistaken for mucus [14].
Chyluria is a sign of an underlying health issue affecting the lymphatic system, such as cancer or a parasite. Parents should consult a doctor if their child develops this condition [14].
Learn how at-home urine testing can benefit your child’s health in this article.
When Should You Be Concerned About Mucus in Urine?
Seeing white stringy stuff in urine can be alarming, but it's normal to have a small amount of mucus in urine. However, you should consult your doctor if you have a large amount of mucus or if the quantity of mucus changes. These symptoms may be signs of a medical condition like prostatitis or bladder cancer.
Summary
Unusual white, thread-like structures in the urine could be due to mucus in the urine. Clinical diagnosis of mucus in urine requires a urinalysis test. A small amount of mucus in urine is normal and has no clinical significance. Excess mucus in urine can signify several medical conditions, and which one you have depends on your other symptoms and the overall results of your urinalysis. As a general rule, if excess mucus in urine appears alongside pain when peeing, a more frequent need to pee, lower abdominal pain, or blood in your pee, you could have a UTI. Other medical conditions that could lead to mucus in urine include sexually transmitted diseases and kidney stones.
