Cloudy urine is common and normally happens due to increased mucus levels in the urine. This can occur due to urine contamination, dehydration or supplements, or pregnancy.
However, cloudy urine that presents with other symptoms, like pain or discomfort when urinating, and pain in the lower back, may be a sign of a UTI, which warrants further assessment for possible treatment. Read more about UTI symptoms and complete our online-symptom checker if you feel you may be experiencing one.
Treatment for cloudy urine will vary depending on the underlying cause. Generally, you are advised to increase your fluid intake to trigger more urine production, which will help to dilute the urine. Increasing fluid intake can also help to clear out any excess bacteria and prevent the formation of kidney stones.

What does cloudy urine mean?
Cloudy urine can be caused by:
1. Sample contamination
Contamination of the urine sample can occur at the moment of collection. It is one of the most common causes of cloudy urine, as there is usually a large number of naturally-occurring flora in the external genitalia, as well as epithelial cells or discharge that can contribute to a cloudy appearance of the urine.
Sample contamination can occur due to collection error, like avoiding the first stream of urine. When the first urine stream is collected, urine tends to be more concentrated, which is not an accurate representation of current health status.
What to do: It is important to pay attention to how you collect a urine sample. You should first wipe the external genitals with wet toilet paper or a baby wipe and pat dry. Then, you should urinate into the toilet, hold your urine, and then proceed to collect a sample. The sample should then be sent to the lab within 2 hours to avoid reporting errors.
2. Dehydration
Dehydration is characterized by the excessive loss of body fluid. It can cause cloudy-looking urine, because the urine is usually more concentrated. With dehydration, some substances or sediment, like fat or proteins, can be more visible in the urine.
Also recommended: 10 Signs of Dehydration in Babies & Children tuasaude.com/en/signs-of-dehydration-in-babiesWhat to do: If dehydration is causing your urine to be cloudy, you should increase your fluid intake and eat food that contains high water contents to restore water composition in the body. With severe dehydration, you should proceed to the hospital for IV hydration.
3. Supplement use
Frequent use of vitamin supplements can also lead to cloudy urine. This is because some vitamins are water soluble, and the body will often eliminate excess vitamins through the urine.
What to do: Cloudy urine related to supplement use is not considered to be a serious situation. However, you should see your doctor to determine whether the supplements are medically necessary. You can also consider obtaining recommended vitamins through diet.
4. Pregnancy
Cloudy urine during pregnancy is considered to be a normal finding due to increased discharge that occurs. It is especially common in the last weeks of pregnancy, as the production of mucus ramps up to facilitate delivery.
Read more about pregnancy discharge, and how it can vary from trimester to trimester.
What to do: The presence of mucus in the urine and cloudy urine during pregnancy is not a cause for concern and normally does not require any treatment. However, if the patient presents with other symptoms, like pain or burning with urination, or foul-smelling urine, then follow-up with the obstetrician is advised so that the urine is tested and treatment is initiated as necessary
5. Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection is a common cause of cloudy urine due to the increased levels of bacteria, leukocytes and epithelial cells in the urine. In addition to cloudy urine, the patient may also feel symptoms like discomfort with urination, urinary urgency and urinary frequency.
What to do: In this case, it is important to see your doctor for testing and treatment. UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics, adequate hygiene of the genitals, and increased fluid intake. Drinking more water can help to increase urine production and help to clear out any excessive bacteria in the urinary tract. Check out teas for UTIs that you can prepare at home to manage symptoms, as well as other UTI treatment options your doctor may consider.
6. Kidney stones
Kidney stones, or renal calculi, can also result in cloudy urine. This is due to increased levels of leukocytes, epithelial cells and crystals in the urine, which can alter the appearance of urine.
Read more about kidney stones and the symptoms they can present with.
What to do: Kidney stones will also cause symptoms like strong lower back pain. It is important to seek medical attention if you feel pain so that testing to confirm kidney stones can be ordered. Kidney stones are usually treated with medication that promote stone elimination or surgical removal.
Check-out some home remedies for kidney stones that you can use to complement your medical treatment.
7. Kidney infection
A kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, is an infection in the urinary tract that has spread to the kidneys. It can cause kidney inflammation and symptoms similar to a UTI, like lower back cramping, foul-smelling urine, fever, pain in the urinating and cloudy urine.
A kidney infection can be caused by bacteria (like Escherichia coli)and fungi (like Candida sp.)
What to do: if you suspect you may have a kidney infection, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment urgently to prevent further complications and damage to your kidneys.
8. STI
Some sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, for example, can make urine cloudier due to the presence of white blood cells in the urine. These can appear in the presence of a genital infection, and are usually a sign that the body has ramped up the production of immunity or "defense" cells.
Also recommended: 10 Most Common STI's, Treatment, How to Treat & Is It Cure tuasaude.com/en/stiWhat to do: If you noticed symptoms of an STI and have recently had unprotected sex, you should see your doctor for treatment, which usually involves the use of antibiotics.
It is also essential for any of your sexual partner to be treated, even if they do not have signs or symptoms, so that your risk of reinfection is reduced.
9. Vaginitis
Vaginitis is inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, which can cause symptoms such as intense itching, white discharge, vaginal burning and cloudy urine.
What to do: Treatment for vaginitis depends on the underlying cause, and therefore it is important to consult your doctor for assessment and treatment. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antifungals or vaginal ovules to help eliminate any microorganisms and relieve symptoms.