Urine might be just a waste material to you but it is an important diagnostic tool for a doctor. Normal human urine is a pale yellow-colored liquid, but sometimes, people may notice white particles in it, indicating an underlying health problem. There are a lot of conditions that may cause these particles to show up in urine. To learn about the possible causes of white stuff in urine, keep reading.

Common Causes of White Stuff in Urine

The reasons why white particles may appear in the urine of both males and females are listed below.

1. Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common reason for having white particles in urine. This infection can be caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, or fungi. These infectious agents cause the urethra to produce a white discharge, which enters the urine in the form of white particles. Most of the time, UTIs affect the lower urinary tract including the bladder and urethra. However, in some cases, it may spread to the upper urinary tract causing infection of the kidneys and ureters.

Most UTIs are bacterial and require a full course of antibiotics like ampicillin or ceftriaxone to recover.

2. Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that spread through anal, vaginal, or oral sexual contact. These infections, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, can cause a white genital discharge in both males and females. As you urinate, this discharge leaks out into the toilet, making it appear like your urine has white particles in it.

The treatment for STIs includes one or two courses of antimicrobial drugs. Most of the time, medicines like ceftriaxone or cefixime are prescribed in the form of an injection.

3. Kidney stones

Kidney stones occur when your blood contains various crystal-forming substances such as uric acid or calcium oxalate in an excessively high amount. Over time, these particles start accumulating in your kidneys as well as urine.

As these accumulated substances harden, they form kidney stones. These stones do not stay confined to the kidneys and may move into other parts of the urinary system. If you have fairly small kidney stones, it is possible for you to pass them as you urinate. This makes it look like you have small white bits in urine.

If a kidney stone is small, it can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or alpha blockers like tamsulosin. In the case of larger stones, lithotripsy and surgical removal may be required.

4. Parasitic infections

Parasites refer to certain organisms that live off other organisms to survive. As these parasites grow and reproduce inside you, they invade your organ systems leading to a condition known as a parasitic infection.

Some of the most common examples of parasites causing infections include Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Giardia lamblia, Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm), Trichuris trichiura, and Necator americanus (hookworm).

These parasites can infect you via contaminated food, soil, waste, water, and blood. As these parasites enter your body, it recognizes them and activates defense systems against the infection. A large number of white blood cells are released, some of which enter your urine in the form of pus and appear as white particles.

The treatment of parasitic infections involves using antimicrobial drugs such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, and vancomycin.

Why Do Males Have White Stuff in Urine?

There are some specific reasons why males may find white particles in their urine.

• Prostatitis

The prostate gland is a tiny structure that surrounds the bladder in males. The inflammation of this gland due to an infection is known as prostatitis. It is caused by different bacteria invading the prostate.

Bacterial prostatitis is characterized by a white urethral discharge, which sometimes leaks out and enters into the urine during a bowel movement. The appearance of this discharge makes it look like your urine has small white particles in it.

To overcome prostatitis, you will be advised to take a course of antibiotics like doxycycline and drink plenty of water.

• Retrograde ejaculation

Men suffering from a retrograde ejaculation usually have dry orgasms, which means that they are unable to ejaculate normally. Retrograde ejaculation does not lead to any health problems, but it may cause a reduction in male fertility.

In this condition, the sphincter that normally stops the semen from making its way into the bladder loses its ability to close. This allows the semen to enter the bladder instead of the penis. When such a person urinates after ejaculation, the semen appears in the urine in the form of white particles.

Medicines that help keep the internal urethral sphincter closed, such as imipramine, midodrine, and ephedrine are used to treat this problem.

Why Do Females Have White Stuff in Urine?

In females, white stuff in urine can be due to the following reasons.

• Pregnancy

It is common for a woman to experience a vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Sometimes, it is just this white tissue that leaves the vagina, makes its way into the urinary bladder and gets mixed with the urine.

This condition is known as leucorrhea. The condition normally develops in a female during the second month of pregnancy. As the vaginal tissue enters the urine, sloughing of the epithelium surrounding the urethras, bladder, ureters, etc. occurs. This imparts a white color to the urine.

The problem is resolved as soon as you give birth and does not usually require treatment.

• Ovulation

Cervical mucus is a sticky substance produced by the cervix. The quantity of this mucus may increase before and during ovulation. Sometimes, this creamy white mucus may come out in a female's urine in the form of white particles.

It is common to observe white particles in urine during ovulation. Hence, no treatment is required. However, if it is accompanied by a foul-smelling odor, contact a doctor.

• Yeast infections

Yeast infections usually occur in the vagina and are due to the overgrowth of a yeast fungus known as Candida albicans. One of the most common symptoms of a yeast infection includes the production of a thick, odorless discharge that closely resembles cottage cheese. This major symptom of an underlying vaginal yeast infection, i.e. the thick white discharge may enter your urine in some cases. This causes white particles to appear in the urine. A yeast infection is treated by using an antifungal ointment, cream, or suppository. In some cases, oral antifungal medicines like fluconazole may also be required.

• Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis refers to a vaginal inflammation that occurs due to an imbalance in the bacteria occurring naturally in the vagina. The most common signs of a bacterial vaginosis include itching, burning, and a fishy odor coming from the vagina.

Most of the time, bacterial vaginosis does not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, some women may experience a thin, white discharge coming out of the vagina. If this discharge comes out when you are urinating, the urine may appear to have white clumps in it.

The treatment for bacterial vaginosis includes an oral antibiotic drug such as clindamycin or applying an antibiotic gel inside the vagina.

The Final Verdict

Urine can be an indication of your overall health condition. Infections of the urinary tract, sexually transmitted diseases, and parasites may cause white stuff in urine of both men and women. Some conditions like retrograde ejaculation only affect men. Women may spot white particles floating in their urine due to pregnancy, ovulation or vaginosis. If you find these white bits in your urine, consult a doctor for diagnosis and proper treatment at once. For more information about white stuff in urine, click here.