White particles in urine? 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Some conditions, such as pregnancy, infections, and kidney stones, can cause white particles in the urine or make it appear cloudy. Pregnancy and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common causes of urinary changes, but many other conditions can cause similar symptoms. In this article, we look at what causes white particles in urine and when to speak with a doctor. Causes Possible causes of white particles, or sediment, in urine include: 1 Pregnancy During pregnancy, there are a variety of hormonal changes that can cause vaginal discharge and other symptoms. Discharge can mix with urine as it leaves the body, and it may appear as white particles in the urine. This is usually not a cause for concern. Anyone who is pregnant and has discharge that appears darker or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching or burning, should speak with a doctor, as they may have an infection. 2 Urinary tract infections UTIs UTIs are a common cause of white particles in the urine. UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urethra and make their way to the bladder, kidneys, or ureter, where they multiply and cause the infection. Less commonly, viruses, parasites, or fungi entering the urinary tract may cause a UTI. According to a 2018 review, a UTI can cause discharge in both males and females and can cause white particles to appear in the urine. Other symptoms of UTIs include:pain in the abdomen or pelvisan urgent need to urinatepain while urinatingtrouble urinatingcloudy or discolored urinefoul-smelling urinefever or chills Bacterial UTIs usually require antibiotics. If the UTI is left untreated, it may spread to other parts of the body and can cause serious complications. Anyone who thinks they have a UTI should speak with a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. 3 Ovulation Some people with vaginas produce extra cervical mucus during ovulation. This mucus may have a milky or creamy texture and may resemble a stringy white substance in the urine. While it is typical for some of this mucus to be released into the urine, a person should speak with a doctor if the discharge has a foul odor or is colored. 4 Retrograde ejaculation Retrograde ejaculation occurs when the muscle or sphincter that keeps semen from entering the bladder does not contract properly. This can cause the person to have an orgasm without ejaculating, as the semen goes into the bladder instead. According to a 2016 literature review, when the person empties their bladder later, they may notice stringy, white bits of semen floating in the urine. Retrograde ejaculation does not pose any direct health concerns, but infertility treatments may be necessary if a couple is trying to conceive. 5 Bacterial vaginosis Bacterial vaginosis is inflammation in the vagina caused by an imbalance of bacteria. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including a foul or fishy odor and a burning sensation while urinating. Some people also notice a thin, grayish-white discharge that may mix in with the urine and cause white particles to appear. Treatment for bacterial vaginosis varies but may include oral antibiotics or suppositories. 6 Yeast infections A yeast infection may also cause white particles in the urine. The fungus Candida albicans is found naturally in healthy people, but in certain situations, it can grow rapidly in the vagina and cause an infection. Yeast infections often cause a thick, chunky discharge that may resemble cottage cheese in appearance. This discharge can mix with the urine and lead to white bits appearing. In addition to this, a yeast infection may cause other symptoms, such as:redness and swelling around the vaginaitching or sorenesssoreness or pain while urinatingpain during sex Doctors often recommend prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal treatments to treat yeast infections. 7 Prostatitis Prostatitis refers to inflammation of the prostate gland and can be caused by a bacterial infection near the gland. It can cause discharge from the urethra that mixes with urine. People with prostatitis may have other symptoms, including:difficulty urinating or painful urinationchills or feverpain in the lower backthrobbing or pain in the testicles, perineum, or rectumpainful ejaculationerectile dysfunction Most cases of bacterial prostatitis require antibiotics. 8 Sexually transmitted infections STIs STIs are transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sexual contact, and many of them can cause changes in the urine. STIs that may cause genital discharge in all genders include: trichomoniasischlamydiagonorrhea This discharge may appear as white particles in the urine or make the urine itself appear white or cloudy. Anyone who thinks they may have an STI should contact a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. They should also refrain from sexual contact or use a condom or other barrier method to avoid transmitting an STI. 9 Kidney stones Kidney stones develop when the levels of certain substances, such as uric acid or calcium oxalate, in the body get too high. The excess can build up in the urinary tract and may turn into kidney stones. If the kidney stones are small enough, the body may expel them through the urine without a person noticing. They may appear as small white particles. Kidney stones may also cause significant pain in the abdomen and other symptoms, including:feeling the need to urinate constantlydifficulty urinatingburning and pain during urinationpain radiating through the lower abdomen, pelvis, and groinfoul-smelling, cloudy, or bloody urine Many kidney stones can be passed with the help of OTC pain medications. According to a 2018 literature review, doctors can also prescribe drugs called alpha-blockers that may help break the stones into smaller pieces. In rare cases, people may need medical procedures to break up and remove the kidney stones. Symptoms The appearance of white particles in urine may change, depending on the underlying cause of the issue. Symptoms may show up in different ways, including:white flakes in the urinestringy, cloudy substance in the urinegrayish sediment floating in the urinemurky or milky urine An underlying medical condition will often cause a few other symptoms to appear. These are important to note, as they will help a doctor diagnose and treat the problem. When to speak with a doctor Some causes of white particles in the urine, such as pregnancy and ovulation, are considered normal and require no treatment. If a person notices any additional symptoms, such as itching or pain, they may need to speak with a doctor. Additional symptoms may be a sign of an underlying condition or infection that requires prompt treatment. Anyone who has frequent white particles in the urine or is uncertain about the cause should also speak with a doctor. Receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to prevent any possible complications. Outlook Genital discharge is often the cause of white particles in the urine. Finding the underlying cause of this discharge is essential for getting the right treatment. Many cases are easily treatable with a doctor’s help. Some causes, such as STIs or kidney stones, may require more attention. However, the outlook is good in most cases. Frequently asked questions What are some causes of white specks or cloudy urine Pregnancy, UTIs, STIs, and some types of underlying conditions or infections can cause the urine to have white specks or a cloudy appearance. Any changes to the appearance or smell of the urine, or any pain or discomfort, should be addressed with a doctor. Is having white particles in the urine a serious condition While seeing anything out of the ordinary in the urine should be addressed with a doctor, most causes of white particles or specks in urine are not life threatening. What if a person s urine is cloudy Conditions that can cause white particles in the urine, such as infection, bacterial vaginosis, prostatitis, or yeast infections, may also make it appear cloudy. A person should speak with a doctor to address any new or worsening symptoms. Last medically reviewed on May 31, 2022Urinary Tract InfectionPregnancy / ObstetricsUrology / NephrologyCat 1urinaryhealth 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Alelign, T., et al. (2018). Kidney stone disease: An update on current concepts.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5817324/Koski, R. R., et al. (2018). Efficacy and safety of alpha-blockers for kidney stones in adults.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5998442/Muacevic, A., et al. (2021). Prevalence, etiology, and associated symptoms of vaginal discharge during pregnancy in women seen in a tertiary care hospital in Bihar.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7883588/Najmabadi, S., et al. (2021). Cervical mucus patterns and the fertile window in women without known subfertility: A pooled analysis of three cohorts.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8487651/Parnham, A., et al. (2016). Retrograde ejaculation, painful ejaculation and hematospermia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5002007/Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate. (2014).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems/prostatitis-inflammation-prostateShipman, S. B., et al. (2018). High prevalence of sterile pyuria in the setting of sexually transmitted infection in women presenting to an emergency department.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5851500/Tjagur, S., et al. (2020). Profile of sexually transmitted infections causing urethritis and a related inflammatory reaction in urine among heterosexual males: A flow-cytometry study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7710099/Vaginal candidiasis. (2021).https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.htmlWang, Z., et al. (2019). Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: A meta-analysis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6848925/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — By Jon Johnson — Updated on June 1, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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