What Does Yeast in Urine Mean?

Rebekah Kuschmider
Rebekah Kuschmider
August 21, 2023
4
min read
Technically reviewed by: 
Adele Morris
What Does Yeast in Urine Mean?
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Yeast in urine, known as candiduria, can sometimes be the cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs), though bacteria are more common culprits. This blog covers key information about yeast in urine, from its causes and symptoms to diagnosis and treatments. While it is most often seen in high-risk individuals, candiduria can present with symptoms similar to bacterial UTIs. Diagnosis typically involves a urine culture, and home testing options like Diagnox's Urinox-10 test strips can help detect abnormal urine pH. Treatment generally targets underlying causes, but antifungal medications may be prescribed when needed.

What You'll Learn

  • What Causes Yeast in Urine?
  • Recognizing the Symptoms of Yeast in Urine
  • How Yeast in Urine Is Diagnosed
  • Understanding Urine pH and Yeast Infections
  • Effective medical and lifestyle interventions.

Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria, but occasionally yeast (a type of fungus) is to blame. Read on to learn everything you need to know about yeast in urine, including causes, testing, and treatments.

Causes of Yeast in Urine

Although most UTIs are caused by bacteria, UTIs caused by yeast are becoming more common. Yeast in urine, known as candiduria, is most common in hospitalized patients and those with compromised immune systems. Those most at risk for developing UTIs caused by yeast include [1]:

  • Females
  • Premature babies and the elderly
  • Patients hospitalized for long periods or admitted to intensive care units
  • Catheterized patients
  • People on immunosuppressive therapy or receiving radiation treatment
  • Those with diabetes
  • People who have recently taken antibiotics
Those prone to yeast-caused UTIs include females, premature babies, the elderly, long-term hospital patients, catheterized individuals, those on immunosuppressive therapy or radiation, diabetics, and recent antibiotic users.
Those prone to yeast-caused UTIs include females, premature babies, the elderly, long-term hospital patients, catheterized individuals, those on immunosuppressive therapy or radiation, diabetics, and recent antibiotic users.

Symptoms of Yeast in Urine

Symptoms of yeast in urine may include frequent fever, chills, flanks pain urination, pain or burning during urination and cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
Symptoms of yeast in urine may include frequent fever, chills, flanks pain urination, pain or burning during urination and cloudy or foul-smelling urine.

What does yeast in urine look like? Well, you won't be able to see it without a microscope. And many times, people with yeast in their urine don't have any symptoms. But, if you develop a UTI caused by yeast, you could have symptoms similar to those of a bacterial UTI including:

  • Urinary frequency
  • Urinary urgency
  • Pain with urination

If the yeast infection spreads to your bloodstream, you might experience:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Flank pain

Yeast in urine occasionally leads to an obstruction of the ureters or urethra. With an obstruction, you might only pass small amounts of urine and you could also experience fever and flank pain [2].

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Diagnosing Yeast in Urine

Diagnox's Urinox-10 test strips provide an easy and affordable method to assess your urine pH without requiring a doctor's prescription.
Diagnox's Urinox-10 test strips provide an easy and affordable method to assess your urine pH without requiring a doctor's prescription.

Candiduria is usually diagnosed through a urine culture ordered by your doctor and performed in a lab. Because yeast normally lives on the skin and in the vaginal area, even in healthy people, it's common for urine samples to become contaminated. So if one urine test is positive for yeast, your doctor might test again to confirm that it's coming from your urinary tract.

One clue you can check for at home is abnormal urine pH. You can easily test urine pH using Diagnox's Urinox-10 test strips. The test strips are a discrete and affordable way to test your urine at home without a doctor's order.

Normal urine pH ranges from about 4.6 to 8. With a bacterial UTI, urine is alkaline, meaning you'll see a higher pH when testing [3]. If you have a UTI caused by yeast, your urine will likely be acidic, meaning a urine test will show a lower-than-normal pH level [4]. Fungal UTIs aren't the only cause of acidic urine, so it's important to see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis. To learn more, refer to our blog on how to use at home yeast infection test .

Treating Yeast in Urine

Not all cases of yeast in urine require treatment. Doctors typically only treat patients who are experiencing symptoms of an infection, like fever or pain with urination. If the underlying cause of yeast in urine is obvious, like having a catheter or uncontrolled diabetes, treating the cause will often clear up the yeast without treating the yeast specifically.

If you have yeast in your urine and are experiencing symptoms of an infection, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication like fluconazole [1]. If your doctor prescribes a medication, take it exactly as prescribed and follow up as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Here are some common concerns about yeast in urine:

Can yeast in urine go away on its own?
Yeast in urine may not always require treatment, especially if there are no symptoms. If the underlying cause, such as diabetes or a catheter, is addressed, the yeast may resolve without specific antifungal treatment. However, if symptoms like pain or fever occur, treatment may be necessary.

How can I tell if my UTI is caused by yeast or bacteria?
While it’s difficult to identify the cause of a UTI just by symptoms alone, yeast infections typically result in acidic urine. You can check for abnormal urine pH at home with a simple test using Diagnox’s Urinox-10 test strips, which can help indicate whether further testing with a doctor is needed.

Is yeast in urine contagious?
Yeast infections in the urine are not typically contagious through casual contact. However, in some cases, the yeast can spread to other areas, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. It’s important to follow good hygiene practices and seek medical advice for proper management.

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