Cloudy Urine

Some medications that may cause cloudy urine include:

UTI During Pregnancy

A urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy is very common. Symptoms include painful urination, cloudy urine and needing to urinate often. Your provider can prescribe an antibiotic to safely treat a UTI during pregnancy.

Overview

What is a UTI during pregnancy?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy is an infection in your urinary system that occurs during pregnancy. Your urinary system includes your:

This system usually works to filter waste and extra water from your body as pee (urinate) — without contamination. As long as it’s inside you, there’s usually no bacteria in it. But there are lots of bacteria on the outside of your body. If it moves into your urinary system, an infection can develop.

Pregnancy increases your risk of developing urinary tract infections. During pregnancy — especially weeks six to 24 — your urinary tract changes as your uterus grows. The increased weight and pressure of your uterus on your bladder can block urine from flowing, making it an ideal environment for bacteria. Pregnancy also suppresses your immune system, which is your body’s natural defense against illness. This can increase your risk of infection, including UTIs.

What are the different types of urinary tract infections?

There are a few different types of urinary tract infections that can affect your urinary system:

• Asymptomatic bacteriuria(ASB) is usually caused by bacteria that were in your body before you became pregnant. Because it has no symptoms, healthcare providers usually screen for ASB through a urine test at the first prenatal appointment.
• Urethritis involves your urethra, the tube that carries pee out of your body.
• Cystitis involves your bladder, which holds your pee.
• Pyelonephritisaffects your kidneys.

Symptoms and Causes

What are UTI symptoms during pregnancy?

The most common signs and symptoms of a UTI while pregnant include:

• Pain when peeing (dysuria).
• Blood in your pee.
• Abnormal urine color (cloudy appearance) with a strong smell.
• Incontinence (leaking pee).
• Increased and urgent need to pee.
• Pain during sex.

Less common UTI symptoms during pregnancy include:

• Fever (temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.77 degrees Celsius).
• Chills.
• Mental changes or confusion.
• Vomiting.
• Pain in your side (flank).

While less common, be sure to report any of these signs and symptoms to your healthcare provider.

What causes UTI during pregnancy?

The same organism that causes UTIs in non-pregnant people is the most common cause of UTI during pregnancy: Escherichia coli (E. coli). It causes 80% to 90% of UTIs during pregnancy. E. coli is commonly found in stool (poop), and it can easily travel into your urethra.

Wiping from back to front (rather than front to back) can push E. coli bacteria into your urethra.

Other types of bacteria that cause UTIs include:

• Proteus mirabilis.
• Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• Group B streptococcus.
• Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is a UTI during pregnancy diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can use two tests to diagnose a UTI during pregnancy. For both tests, you pee into a cup, and then, a healthcare professional analyzes it:

• Urinalysis: This test checks your urine for white blood cells, red blood cells and bacteria. The amount of white and red blood cells may indicate an infection.
• Urine culture: This test looks at the type of bacteria in your urine. Knowing the type of bacteria causing the infection helps your provider determine the best treatment.

Management and Treatment

What is the treatment for UTI during pregnancy?

UTIs require antibiotics. Your provider will prescribe an antibiotic that’s safe and effective — for both you and the developing fetus. You’ll likely take the antibiotics for at least three to seven days.

Do I need a healthcare professional to treat a UTI during pregnancy?

Yes. You need a prescription from a healthcare provider for antibiotics.

Can I treat a UTI at home while pregnant?

There are no at-home treatments that guarantee a cure for UTI. UTIs can turn into serious kidney infections. So, if you suspect you have a UTI during pregnancy, call your healthcare provider.

How soon after treatment for a UTI will I feel better?

When you take the medication as directed, your symptoms should start to clear up by day three. (But be sure to finish your whole prescription per the directions and your provider.) If they don’t, call your healthcare provider.

Cloudy Urine

Cloudy urine occurs when your pee looks milky or hazy. It should be clear, light yellow. The most common cause is high levels of alkaline. Treatment often includes drinking plenty of water and following healthy eating patterns. Cloudy urine is generally harmless. But frequent or repetitive cloudy urine could be a sign of a medical condition.

Overview

What is cloudy urine?

Cloudy urine is when your pee has a milky color that isn’t clear. Generally, cloudy urine is harmless. But you may have an underlying medical condition if you have frequent or repetitive episodes of cloudy urine.

What does cloudy urine look like?

Typically, urine is light yellow (like the color of straw) and see-through (transparent). Cloudy urine is foggy white to yellow.

Possible Causes

What are the most common causes of cloudy urine?

The most common cause of cloudy urine is the presence of high amounts of alkaline. Urine consists of water, salts and kidney wastes. The balance of these components affects the pH of your urine. The pH scale is the levels of acids and bases (alkaline) in your urine. Typical urine acidic-to-alkaline levels range from 4.5 to 8 pH. Your pee is acidic if it measures under 5 pH. It’s alkaline (basic) if it measures 8 pH or higher.

Other common cloudy urine causes include:

• Dehydration.
• Kidney leakage (chyluria).
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Vaginal discharge.
• Eating lots of fruits and vegetables.

Does diabetes cause cloudy urine?

Cloudy urine may be a side effect of diabetes. Diabetes can cause sugar to build up in your pee. High levels of sugar can cause cloudy urine.

What other diseases or disorders have cloudy urine as a side effect?

Other diseases or disorders that may cause cloudy urine include:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Preeclampsia.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• Kidney stones.

What drugs cause cloudy urine?

Some medications that may cause cloudy urine include:

• Oral diabetes medications.
• Laxatives.
• Phenazopyridine.
• Warfarin.
• Rifampin.
• Vitamin supplements that contain phosphate.

What foods cause cloudy urine?

Some foods may cause cloudy urine because they increase your alkaline levels. Your alkaline levels may be higher if you eat lots of fruits and vegetables while limiting your consumption of meats, grains and cheeses.

Does cloudy urine mean that I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

Some STIs cause cloudy urine. Cloudy urine isn’t the only symptom of many STIs, but a healthcare provider may factor it into your STI diagnosis. The following STIs have cloudy urine as a symptom:

Care and Treatment

How is cloudy urine treated?

It depends on its cause. Some cloudy urine treatments may include:

• Drinking plenty of water.
• Taking vitamin C to reduce your alkaline levels.
• Taking antibiotics to treat any infections.
• Following balanced eating patterns.

How can I prevent cloudy urine?

You can’t prevent all causes of cloudy urine. But you can help avoid some by drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods every day. You can also visit a healthcare provider to treat infections early before they pose a greater threat to your health.

When To Call the Doctor

When should I see my healthcare provider for cloudy urine?

It’s OK to have cloudy urine sometimes. But if you have cloudy urine every time or almost every time you pee and it doesn’t go away within a few days, contact a healthcare provider.

Additional Common Questions

Is foamy urine the same as cloudy urine?

Foamy urine is the result of how fast you pee. This causes air pockets to form in your pee, which creates a bubbly texture and a lot of bubbles in toilet water. Cloudy urine isn’t clear and appears to have a milky, yellow color instead of a typical, light-yellow color.

Contact a healthcare provider if you have consistently foamy urine. It could be a sign of kidney problems.

Is cloudy urine smelly?

Urine odor can change. In most cases, it’s harmless and temporary. What you eat and if you take any vitamins or minerals can change how your pee smells. For example, asparagus and vitamin B6 supplements cause a strong odor in pee. Staying hydrated can prevent a strong urine odor. Drinking plenty of water can also prevent occasional cloudy urine.

Contact a healthcare provider if urine odor lasts more than a few days.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Cloudy urine is common and, in most cases, harmless. It often occurs due to natural changes in your body. Typically, it goes away quickly when you drink some extra water and eat well-balanced foods. But if the cloudiness in your pee doesn’t go away after a few days, reach out to a healthcare provider.