If you are seeing white particles in urine that might be because of various reason such as UTI, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, kidney issues, chyluria etc.
The appearance of your urine can indicate a lot about your health. When you notice a difference like white particles in your urine, do not panic. It is sometimes quite common in women.
Urine is fluid waste excreted by kidneys of your body. The primary function of a kidney is to remove excess water and toxins from the blood. These toxins are then passed along with the urine.
If you have white particles in your urine without any other symptoms, it is nothing to worry about.
However, sometimes this change in urination is accompanied by other symptoms like pain and fever. Even men can experience such symptoms. In such conditions, it is advised to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
There can be various causes behind the appearance of these white particles in your urine.
In this article, I will discuss those causes individually in detail. Please read them carefully and take action if you can relate with any of them.
Table of Contents
What Are Causes Behind White Particles In Urine?
i. Sediments
Sediments are suspension like particles. Presence of sediments like phosphate debris can be seen as white particles in your urine. This is a common occurrence, and you need not worry about it.
These are just the detached walls of the lining of your urinary tract. It can occur because of the presence of yeast and fungus in your urinary tract.
ii. Milky White Discharge Before Periods
Discharge before periods is natural. It is normally thick, white, and sticky. It can occur due to congestion of the pelvis and is produced by the cervix glands in the vagina.
In reality, it is just mucus. It is a clear fluid, which is also not an indication of infection.
iii. White Discharge During Ovulation
Thick, milky white discharge during the initial days of menstruation is quite normal. It typically occurs between the tenth and nineteenth days of the menstrual cycle.
It is marked by increased hormonal changes in the body. This is the ovulating period for women. In this time, women may experience abundant, clear, wet, slippery and stretchy discharge with a white egg-like consistency.
iv. Urinary Tract Infection
Sometimes you might have a contaminated bacterial infection in your urinary tract. It can cause your urine to be cloudy and have tiny white particles in it.
This type of infection occurs when a bacteria called Escherichia coli attaches to the opening of the urethra and starts spreading.
If you believe that you might have UTI, immediately consult a doctor.
v. Kidney Issues
When the white particles present in your urine looks like sand granules, you might have kidney stones. This might change the color of your urine as the stones dissolve.
If not taken care at the time, this might also affect the other parts of the urinary tract.
vi. Parasitic Infections
When you see the white thread like particles in your urine, it might be an indication of parasitic infection. These infections like filariasis and schistosomiasis are caused by the worm-like parasites.
These parasites later appear as white particles in your urine. Other infections like trichomoniasis lead to the production of mucus threads. These are later suspended in the urine.
If these symptoms occur for a longer time, you might have a bladder cancer. In such cases, it is advised to seek medical attention immediately.
vii. Bacterial Vaginosis
This is one condition where vaginal discharge results in cloudy urine. Bacterial vaginosis is one such condition where bacteria naturally present in vagina tend to multiply and spread.
Symptoms like the foul and fishy smell from a vagina and increased discharge from vagina tend to appear in this condition. The discharge may be grey or white causing an itching sensation around the vagina.
Usually, BV is curable. But in some cases, it might be an indication of serious inflammatory disease if the symptoms persist longer
viii. Monilla ( yeast ) Infection
Presence of a small amount of yeast in the vagina is normal. Although, if it starts growing at alarming rates, it might cause monilla infection. This happens when pH of the vaginal tract changes.
Symptoms like increased vaginal discharge, an appearance of white particles in urine, itching sensation and redness in the vagina are likely to occur.
ix. Retrograde Ejaculation
This condition occurs in case of men. In this, the semen goes into the urinary bladder rather than coming out of the penis during ejaculation. This results in an appearance of white stuff during urination.
It is likely to happen with men who have undergone some prostate surgery before.
It can also indicate that the upper sphincter muscles of the urinary tract are not closing as they are supposed to. Or the lower sphincter muscles are not opening during ejaculation.
x. Chyluria
Chyluria condition indicated by the presence of fats in urine. Fats may give your urine a cloudy appearance in high concentration.
When you discharge fats in urine, it essentially means that your body is not fully utilizing the food that you consume every day. It might also indicate that you are constantly losing out on lots of vitamins.
Furthermore, this is also a probable indication of conditions like pancreatitis, cirrhosis, liver damage and metastatic cancer.
Other Causes
White particles in your urine can also be caused due to varied primary conditions like STDs. It occurs along with itchiness in the urinary tract and pus in the urine. Candidiasis, Polyps and bladder cancer can be other possibilities.
In case these symptoms are accompanied by pus or itching sensation, It might indicate that you have STD.
Is White Particles In Urine A Serious Condition?
Sometimes these symptoms occur for a shorter period. They are not serious and can be treated by some mild medications.
But, in case these symptoms are accompanied by fever, pain, burning sensation, pus or blood, you should consult your doctor immediately. When the situation of a person gets serious overnight.
It is advised to seek medical attention as first thing in the morning.
How To Get Rid Of White Particles?
The treatments in such conditions are dependent on how serious the condition is. If you feel that the symptoms do not go away quickly, you might need to consult a doctor. Only a proper diagnosis can help you get a relevant treatment.
The basic treatments in this condition require some tests which determine the proper cause of these white particles in your urine.
a. In case of bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, some self-treatments can be used. It involves anti-fungal agents, vaginal creams, and tablets.
b. In case of kidney stones, sometimes it is not required to have a surgical treatment. Drinking a lot of water can also help you to get rid of it. Although, if your doctor suggests that it is not possible to get rid of it in that way, you might need surgery.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of White Particles
Some other home remedies for treating white particles in urine are as follows :
1. Vitamin C
Intake of vitamin C helps in enhancing the immune system. It also helps in protecting your bladder from infections and kidney problems. It is proven that vitamin C helps in reducing the formation of kidney stones.
2. Cranberries
Research has proved that cranberry is a possible antibiotic alternative for the treatment and prevention of UTIs.
The hippuric acid in cranberry has an anti-bacterial effect which helps in fighting with infections.
3. Uva Ursi
Uva ursi is a species of plant named bearberries. It has been used for centuries to treat UTIs. It cleanses the urinary tract, relieves pain, fights infection, and treats kidney stones.
4. Goldenseal
Goldenseal is one of the most powerful herbal anti-microbial remedies. The main ingredient in goldenseal is berberine. Naturopathic doctors have a long history of using goldenseal for treating infections like UTI.
However, there is no conclusive evidence of its efficiency, and further research is needed.
5. Low Oxalate Diet
A diet high in oxalate is said to be responsible for 80% of cases with frequent kidney stones.
Foods high in oxalates include okra, spinach, Swiss chard, beets, rhubarb, dried figs, buckwheat, peanuts, peanut butter, almonds, and sesame seeds.
Low oxalate foods include arugula, onions, zucchini, avocado, lemons, limes, cherries, wild rice, coconut, cinnamon, ginger, thyme, beef, chicken, eggs, and turkey.
6. Other Supportive Nutrients
Other nutrients and supplements that help reduce the chances of kidney problems include magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and inositol hexaphosphate (IP-6). Probiotics and D-Mannose.
These can help in treating and preventing bladder infections.
7. Other Herbal Remedies
There are also other herbs that help treat kidney problems like aloe vera, dandelion root, horsetail, and juniper berry. Echinacea and oil of oregano which can help treat the bladder infection.
8. Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies are great for both bladder infections and kidney stones. Aconitum napellus, in particular, is useful for the first two hours of a bladder infection. If kidney stones are accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and cramping, Nux vomica is suggested.
9. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a very effective method to treat conditions like bladder and kidney infections. Essential oils like, Chamomile and lavender are good and help in both types of infections.
It is advised not to do the self-treatment without any proper diagnosis. It might increase the problem despite reducing it.
In case if you are experiencing white particles due to periods. Following preventions are advised:
- Keep that area dry. Wear cotton underwear to prevent sweating.
- Do not use any lubricants.
- Avoid using perfumes, lotions and other vaginal hygiene products.
- Keep that area clean from front to back after urination.
White Particles In Urine During Pregnancy
Some women might get worried after observing white stuff in their urine. Although, it is nothing to be worried about. During pregnancy, the vaginal discharge increases than the usual. This condition is known as Leucorrhea.
Sometimes this discharge is also accompanied by a change in color of the urine. It occurs in the second month of pregnancy. It is not a condition to worry about.
This is just an indicator that the fetus has started developing organs. This results in increased vaginal discharge and secretion of mucus plug. This might cause urine to appear whitish with some white tissue like particles.
Final Talk
When there are white particles in your urine, it may not be a cause for alarm. However, these signs may not go away sometimes. It can be accompanied by some pain in the abdomen, back or side.
In such cases, one may consider seeking the help of a doctor. There may be some serious health condition that is causing the pain and is forming the whitish flecks in urine.
Yeast infection and other forms of vaginal or urinary tract infection might require taking a urinalysis or UA test to examine the urine.
Cystoscopy may be required to examine the bladder. When these both tests are okay, then you can be relieved.
However, when the cystoscopy is okay, and the UA test shows the white tissue, you might be required to have a complete CT scan.
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Bilirubin In Urine: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
