Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Cloudy Urine MeansOther CausesWhen to Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Cloudy Urine Means
Other Causes
When to Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Cloudy urine isn’t usually cause for concern, but it could indicate a health issue likekidney stones, an infection, ordehydration.
If you notice that your urine (pee) is cloudy or has changed color and it doesn’t go away within a short period of time, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider.
This article explores why your urine may be cloudy. It will also explain when it’s important to reach out to your doctor.
What Does It Mean If Your Urine Is Cloudy?
There are a few different reasons why your urine might be cloudy. Thecolorand level of cloudiness in urine may indicate health concerns. The most common causes of cloudy urine include:
Dehydration
Urine may appear cloudy when you haven’t been drinking enough water and you are dehydrated. If you have no other symptoms and your urine becomes clear once you re-hydrate, there’s likely no reason to worry.
Make sure you’redrinking enough waterevery day. Try to drink extra if you notice your urine is getting cloudy again. Keep in mind that alcohol and coffee can dehydrate you, so try to limit these beverages.
According to the National Academies of Sciences, adults should drink anywhere from 11.5 cups to 15.5. cups of water a day. However, this may vary based on:WeatherHow much physical activity you are doingFoods or drinks you are consumingAny medications you are takingYour kidney functionIf your urine is still cloudy after you’ve upped your water intake, consider making an appointment with your healthcare provider.
According to the National Academies of Sciences, adults should drink anywhere from 11.5 cups to 15.5. cups of water a day. However, this may vary based on:
If your urine is still cloudy after you’ve upped your water intake, consider making an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Aurinary tract infection(UTI) can affect any part of your urinary system, but most often involves the bladder.
If you have cloudy urine that smells off, you may have a urinary tract infection. Other symptoms may include:
Untreated UTIs can lead to serious problems. Pregnant individuals with UTIs are at risk for preterm labor, which is when labor begins before 37 weeks.If you think you have a UTI, be sure to see your healthcare provider right away.
What Is Pyuria?
Kidney Stones
Cloudy, foul-smelling, and/or crystallized substances in your pee can be symptoms ofkidney stones. Kidney stones are hardened mineral and salt deposits that can vary in size. They don’t usually cause symptoms unless they start moving out of the kidney and into your urinary tract.
Othersymptoms of kidney stonesmay include:
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, likegonorrheaand chlamydia may cause discharge from the penis or vagina. This discharge can get into your urine and make it appear cloudy.
Vaginitis
Vaginitisdescribes inflammatory conditions and infections that impact the vagina. Examples include:
Various vaginitis conditions can cause discharge that may make your urine cloudy.
Diabetes
Diabetescan causesugar to build up in the urine.It can also cause your body to use fats for energy, which produces substances calledketones. Both of these can lead to cloudy urine.
Urinating more frequently and cloudy urine can be some of thefirst signsof diabetes.
What Else Can Cause Cloudy Urine?
When Should You See a Doctor for Cloudy Pee?
If you experience cloudy urine along with other symptoms, you should see your healthcare provider. You should also contact your doctor right away if:
Your healthcare provider may do a test called aurinalysisto check your urine, as well as imaging or other tests to better understand your health concern.
Summary
The presence of protein, blood, or semen can also cause urine to look cloudy.
Be sure to reach out to your doctor if you experience cloudy urine along with other symptoms. If you have blood in your urine, experience any sharp pains, or your urine is an unusual color, contact your doctor right away.
A Word From Verywell
It can feel stressful to have urine that looks cloudy. Keep in mind that having cloudy urine can be due to many different factors and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an infection. If you have cloudy urine that won’t go away, or you are beginning to have other symptoms, it’s best to reach out to your doctor.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt means you’re likely drinking plenty of water! The color of normal urine can range from clear to light yellow.If your urine is cloudy, it’s possible that you are dehydrated. As a general rule, you should have about eight glasses of water daily. If you rehydrate and the cloudy urine still doesn’t go away, the next step is to see your healthcare provider.First, make sure to stay hydrated. Avoid processed foods, which may have high levels of sodium that can contribute to stone formation. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re getting enough calcium every day. The recommended value willdepend on your age and other factors.Learn MoreTips for Preventing Kidney Stones
It means you’re likely drinking plenty of water! The color of normal urine can range from clear to light yellow.
If your urine is cloudy, it’s possible that you are dehydrated. As a general rule, you should have about eight glasses of water daily. If you rehydrate and the cloudy urine still doesn’t go away, the next step is to see your healthcare provider.
First, make sure to stay hydrated. Avoid processed foods, which may have high levels of sodium that can contribute to stone formation. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re getting enough calcium every day. The recommended value willdepend on your age and other factors.Learn MoreTips for Preventing Kidney Stones
First, make sure to stay hydrated. Avoid processed foods, which may have high levels of sodium that can contribute to stone formation. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re getting enough calcium every day. The recommended value willdepend on your age and other factors.
Learn MoreTips for Preventing Kidney Stones
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Institute of Medicine.Dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. The National Academies Press; 2004. doi:10.17226/10925National Institutes of Health.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection-UTI) in adults.Chu CM, Lowder JL.Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;219(1):40-51. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231Verma I, Avasthi K, Berry V.Urogenital infections as a risk factor for preterm labor: a hospital-based case-control study.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2014;64(4):274–278. doi:10.1007/s13224-014-0523-6Alelign T, Petros B.Kidney stone disease: An update on current concepts.Adv Urol. 2018;2018:3068365. doi:10.1155/2018/3068365Rahman MS, Beever W, Skov S, Boffa J.Using urinary leucocyte esterase tests as an indicator of infection with gonorrhoea or chlamydia in asymptomatic males in a primary health care setting.Int J STD AIDS. 2014;25(2):138-144. doi:10.1177/0956462413495670Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.Wendt S, Trawinski H, Schubert S, Rodloff AC, Mössner J, Lübbert C.The diagnosis and treatment of pinworm infection.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(13):213-219. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0213Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Type 2 diabetes: measuring sugar levels in blood and urine yourself.Clark NG, Fox KM, Grandy S.Symptoms of diabetes and their association with the risk and presence of diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2007;30(11):2868-2873. doi:10.2337/dc07-0816Seminerio JL, Aggarwal G, Sweetser S.26-year-old man with recurrent urinary tract infections.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(6):557–560. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0600Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Protein in urine (proteinuria).Merck Manual.Prostate cancer.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Institute of Medicine.Dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. The National Academies Press; 2004. doi:10.17226/10925National Institutes of Health.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection-UTI) in adults.Chu CM, Lowder JL.Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;219(1):40-51. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231Verma I, Avasthi K, Berry V.Urogenital infections as a risk factor for preterm labor: a hospital-based case-control study.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2014;64(4):274–278. doi:10.1007/s13224-014-0523-6Alelign T, Petros B.Kidney stone disease: An update on current concepts.Adv Urol. 2018;2018:3068365. doi:10.1155/2018/3068365Rahman MS, Beever W, Skov S, Boffa J.Using urinary leucocyte esterase tests as an indicator of infection with gonorrhoea or chlamydia in asymptomatic males in a primary health care setting.Int J STD AIDS. 2014;25(2):138-144. doi:10.1177/0956462413495670Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.Wendt S, Trawinski H, Schubert S, Rodloff AC, Mössner J, Lübbert C.The diagnosis and treatment of pinworm infection.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(13):213-219. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0213Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Type 2 diabetes: measuring sugar levels in blood and urine yourself.Clark NG, Fox KM, Grandy S.Symptoms of diabetes and their association with the risk and presence of diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2007;30(11):2868-2873. doi:10.2337/dc07-0816Seminerio JL, Aggarwal G, Sweetser S.26-year-old man with recurrent urinary tract infections.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(6):557–560. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0600Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Protein in urine (proteinuria).Merck Manual.Prostate cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Institute of Medicine.Dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. The National Academies Press; 2004. doi:10.17226/10925National Institutes of Health.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection-UTI) in adults.Chu CM, Lowder JL.Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;219(1):40-51. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231Verma I, Avasthi K, Berry V.Urogenital infections as a risk factor for preterm labor: a hospital-based case-control study.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2014;64(4):274–278. doi:10.1007/s13224-014-0523-6Alelign T, Petros B.Kidney stone disease: An update on current concepts.Adv Urol. 2018;2018:3068365. doi:10.1155/2018/3068365Rahman MS, Beever W, Skov S, Boffa J.Using urinary leucocyte esterase tests as an indicator of infection with gonorrhoea or chlamydia in asymptomatic males in a primary health care setting.Int J STD AIDS. 2014;25(2):138-144. doi:10.1177/0956462413495670Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.Wendt S, Trawinski H, Schubert S, Rodloff AC, Mössner J, Lübbert C.The diagnosis and treatment of pinworm infection.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(13):213-219. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0213Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Type 2 diabetes: measuring sugar levels in blood and urine yourself.Clark NG, Fox KM, Grandy S.Symptoms of diabetes and their association with the risk and presence of diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2007;30(11):2868-2873. doi:10.2337/dc07-0816Seminerio JL, Aggarwal G, Sweetser S.26-year-old man with recurrent urinary tract infections.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(6):557–560. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0600Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Protein in urine (proteinuria).Merck Manual.Prostate cancer.
Institute of Medicine.Dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. The National Academies Press; 2004. doi:10.17226/10925
National Institutes of Health.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection-UTI) in adults.
Chu CM, Lowder JL.Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;219(1):40-51. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231
Verma I, Avasthi K, Berry V.Urogenital infections as a risk factor for preterm labor: a hospital-based case-control study.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2014;64(4):274–278. doi:10.1007/s13224-014-0523-6
Alelign T, Petros B.Kidney stone disease: An update on current concepts.Adv Urol. 2018;2018:3068365. doi:10.1155/2018/3068365
Rahman MS, Beever W, Skov S, Boffa J.Using urinary leucocyte esterase tests as an indicator of infection with gonorrhoea or chlamydia in asymptomatic males in a primary health care setting.Int J STD AIDS. 2014;25(2):138-144. doi:10.1177/0956462413495670
Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.
Wendt S, Trawinski H, Schubert S, Rodloff AC, Mössner J, Lübbert C.The diagnosis and treatment of pinworm infection.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(13):213-219. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0213
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Type 2 diabetes: measuring sugar levels in blood and urine yourself.
Clark NG, Fox KM, Grandy S.Symptoms of diabetes and their association with the risk and presence of diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2007;30(11):2868-2873. doi:10.2337/dc07-0816
Seminerio JL, Aggarwal G, Sweetser S.26-year-old man with recurrent urinary tract infections.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(6):557–560. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0600
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Protein in urine (proteinuria).
Merck Manual.Prostate cancer.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
