The human body has mucous membranes in many areas, such as oral, respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary levels. A mucus-producing cell in these mucous membranes acts as a lubricant and protector. The presence of Mucus in the urine is much more common in women since, due to the expulsion of normal vaginal discharge, it is straightforward for the urine to be contaminated by it. However, when what is found is an excess of Mucus in the urine, it is essential to pay attention, as it could be a sign of some urinary infection or more severe disease that requires medical treatment. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we show what Mucus in urine means and its possible causes.
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What is Mucus in urine?
Mucus is produced by the mucosa, which is the tissue that lines the internal part of organs such as the lungs or the large intestine, but also other parts of the body such as the mouth, nose, throat, and urinary tract. It can be defined as a dense and thick substance that protects and lubricates the area in which it is located.
In the case of urine, this is an acidic liquid in itself, so if that thick Mucus does not protect the urinary tract, the internal part could be injured. Therefore, a reduced amount of Mucus in the urine is expected. However, when excessive Mucus is detected in the urine, it could be a sign of a condition or medical problem, as we will see in the next section.
Causes of Mucus in urine
Different diseases or disorders can cause an excessive presence of Mucus in the urine, and among these, we find the ones mentioned below:
Urinary infection
Urine infections are widespread among females and can be one of the causes of Mucus in the urine. They are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract and can reach the bladder, urethra, kidneys, or prostate. Although the symptoms can vary from one patient to another, in general, some of the signs that can alert us to your condition are the need to urinate frequently, burning and stinging when urinating, cloudy urine with the presence of Mucus and even blood sometimes, fever, nausea, etc.
In case of urinary infection, it is essential to go to the doctor and start an antibiotic treatment when the condition is caused by bacteria or antiviral therapy when a virus causes it.
Gonorrhea or chlamydia
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are two sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can cause the presence of excessive mucous filaments in the urine since there is an increase in vaginal secretions and the mucosa of the urinary tract due to infection.
- Gonorrhea: An infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae that causes symptoms such as burning with urination, heavy vaginal discharge, and vaginal bleeding between periods.
- Chlamydia: a disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis that gives rise to abnormal vaginal discharge, burning when urinating, frequent urination, abdominal pain, discomfort during intercourse, breakthrough bleeding, etc.
Kidney stones
The kidney stones or kidney stones may also increase the amount of Mucus in the urine, and secretions of the mucosa of the urinary tract are increased as a defense mechanism against infection and irritation. However, kidney stones are usually discovered by symptoms such as severe side pain in the lower back, cloudy urine or blood, and fever.
Treatment will depend on the type of kidney stone present and its size since sometimes it is enough to increase your fluid intake and take some medication to facilitate its expulsion. However, surgery may be necessary for others if the stones are large and cannot be passed through the urethra.
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive system and usually affects the lower part of the small intestine. In this case, excessive mucosal segregation can occur in the walls of the intestines, and that Mucus can accumulate in the urethra and subsequently mix with the urine.
It is essential to treat this disease to avoid complications such as intestinal obstruction, the formation of ulcers in the intestine, and problems with absorption of nutrients. Although there is no definitive cure, treatment is based on improving symptoms through medication, nutritional supplements, healthy lifestyle habits, or surgery if necessary.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome involves inflammation of the large intestine (colon) walls, which causes a more significant amount of Mucus that can later be expelled from the body in the urine. People who suffer from this chronic condition usually have symptoms such as abdominal inflammation, abdominal pain, gas, periods of constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc.
In the following article, we explain the causes, symptoms, and treatment of irritable bowel in detail.
Ulcerative colitis
This is a disease that causes inflammation and the formation of ulcers in the membrane that lines the large intestine and rectum. This can lead to the secretion of many Mucus, and fluids from the excretory system can easily contaminate the urine. The main symptom of ulcerative colitis is bloody or tarry stools, to which abdominal pain, tenesmus, and fever can be added.
Other possible causes of Mucus in urine
- Bladder cancer: an excess of mucin filaments in the urine could also be an indication of bladder cancer, although this usually causes other symptoms such as the presence of blood in the urine, the need to urinate even when the bladder is empty, less force in urination and pain or stinging when urinating.
- Taking some medications.
How to detect the presence of Mucus in the urine
The presence of Mucus in the urine is detected by a medical test called a urinalysis. This is usually carried out in patients who have symptoms such as the following:
- I need to urinate frequently, but little urine is expelled.
- Burning, stinging, or pain during urination.
- Cloudy, dark, or bloody urine.
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Soft spot.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Mucus in urine: causes and meaning, we recommend that you enter our Kidneys and urinary system category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.