What causes cloudy urine?

Cloudy urine can be unsettling, especially when a person does not know the cause. Sometimes it can signal an issue with the urinary tract, such as dehydration or a urinary tract infection, or it may point to kidney problems.

Each underlying cause of cloudy urine has additional symptoms, which can help a doctor make a diagnosis.

In this article, learn about the possible causes of cloudy urine, as well as how to treat them.
CausesCauses of cloudy urine can include:

1. Dehydration

Drinking more fluids may help treat cloudy urine. Cloudy urine, especially if it is dark, could indicate that a person is not consuming enough liquids.

Very young or very old people have a higher risk of dehydration. Also, anyone fighting off an illness that causes diarrhoea, vomiting, or a fever will need to drink more fluids.

Those who do strenuous exercise or physical labor during hot days may also have a higher risk for dehydration if they are not drinking enough water.

Dehydration can cause cloudy urine in some people, as well as other symptoms, including:

• dark yellow or orange urine
• fatigue
• confusion or difficulty concentrating
• dizziness
• dry mouth and a feeling of intense thirst
• dry eyes
• less frequent urination

Severe dehydration can cause more severe symptoms, including disorientation, a loss of consciousness, or bloody or black stools. Seek emergency medical care for severe dehydration.

2. Urinary tract infection (UTI)

A UTI is another more common cause of cloudy or milky urine. If the urine smells particularly foul, a person may have an infection.

The cloudy look typically comes from discharge of either pus or blood into the urinary tract. It could also be a buildup of white blood cells as the body tries to eliminate invading bacteria.

UTIs can happen in anyone but are far more common in females, according to the United States Office on Women's Health.

Along with cloudy urine, a UTI can cause other symptoms, such as:

• a constant need to urinate
• trouble urinating large amounts or emptying the bladder
• burning pain while urinating
• foul-smelling urine
• pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, or lower back

Anyone who experiences these symptoms should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Treating a UTI early can help relieve discomfort and prevent complications.

3. Kidney infection

Many kidney infections start as UTIs, which then spread due to lack of effective treatment and get worse over time.

Kidney infections cause similar symptoms to UTIs and may also cause additional symptoms, such as:

• a fever
• chills
• cramps
• fatigue
• nausea and vomiting
• pain in the back, side, or groin
• dark, bloody, or foul-smelling urine

Kidney infections require immediate medical treatment. Without prompt treatment, this type of infection may lead to permanent kidney damage.

4. Sexually transmitted infection (STI)

According to the Office on Women's Health, about 20 million people in the U.S. get an STI every year.

Some common STIs, such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia, may cause cloudy urine. Gonorrhea and chlamydia prompt the immune system to fight back and produce white blood cells, which may mix with the urine and give it a cloudy appearance.

These STIs may also cause unusual discharge from the vagina or penis. Other signs of an STI include:

• itching of the genitals or pelvis
• unexplained pain in the genitals
• pain during or after sex
• pain or burning during urination or ejaculation
• rashes, blisters, or other sores on the genitals

​Regular testing for STIs can help a person receive an early diagnosis and get treatment. Using protection during sexual activity may also help prevent the spread of STIs.

5. Vulvovaginitis

Soap products may cause inflammation of the vulva.Vulvovaginitis is inflammation in the vulva and vagina, and it can lead to cloudy urine.

Bacterial infections are the most common cause of vulvovaginitis, though the infection can also result from viruses or fungi.

In some cases, the body may react to ingredients in soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, or other products.

These reactions can cause inflammation in the vulva and vagina without an infection being present.

Other signs of vulvovaginitis include:

• itchiness around the vulva
• foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• thin, pale, watery discharge
• discolored discharge that resembles cottage cheese
• a fishy odor that gets worse after sex
• painful urination

A doctor will want to determine whether the infection is bacterial, fungal, or viral before moving forward with treatment.

6. Prostatitis

An inflamed prostate, or prostatitis, may also be the cause of cloudy urine. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services state that prostatitis affects between 10 and 15 percent of the males in the United States. It typically appears due to an infection in the prostate.

Other symptoms of prostatitis include:

• painful ejaculation
• pain or burning sensations while urinating
• a frequent need to urinate
• blood in the urine
• abdominal pain
• pain in the lower pelvis, genitals, or perineum

7. Kidney stones

Kidney stones can also cause cloudy urine. They develop from the buildup of certain minerals in the body.

Small stones may pass without incident, but larger stones can block the urinary tract and cause an infection, which could lead to pus in the urine, giving it a cloudy appearance.

A common symptom of kidney stones is severe pain below the ribs, generally near the side or lower back. The pain may also occur in the groin and radiate to the lower abdomen or lower back.

Other symptoms of kidney stones include:

• fever
• chills
• pain while urinating
• brown, red, or pink streaks in the urine
• foul-smelling urine

Some kidney stones do not require treatment. However, anyone who thinks that they may have kidney stones should see a doctor for a diagnosis.

8. Diet

In some cases, a person's diet can cause their urine to be cloudy. Anyone who consumes high amounts of vitamin D or phosphorus may notice cloudy urine as their kidneys filter the excess phosphorus out of their body.

The U.S. National Kidney Foundation state that protein-rich foods such as meat, beans, and dairy products may be higher in phosphorus.

9. Diabetes or kidney damage from diabetes

Sometimes diabetes or diabetic kidney disease is the underlying cause of cloudy urine. The body may be trying to remove excess sugars that it cannot process by sending them through the urine.
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Other signs of diabetes may include issues such as:

• prolonged thirst, even after drinking
• fatigue
• weight loss
• a frequent need to urinate
• frequent infections
• difficulty healing from simple wounds

Untreated, the issues from diabetes may ultimately lead to kidney failure.
Anyone who has diabetes or experiences these symptoms should talk to their doctor, who can check for signs of kidney damage.

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