Mucus in the urine

it is a viscous and yellowish colloid which lubricates and protects the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory, urinary, visual, auditory and genital systems.
In the urine the mucus can become evident in the form of filaments: long, thin and undulating structures easily identifiable under the optical microscope (see figure).

Traces of mucus may exist in normal urine; however, as their numbers increase to the naked eye (cloudy, stringy urine), there may be an underlying problem of inflammation or irritation of the urinary tract.

Related articles: cloudy urine; leukocytes in the urine mucous membranes: by incorporating foreign agents and facilitating their removal, the mucus cleans the channels that connect the tissue districts (respiratory, ocular, gastric, intestinal, etc.) with the outside.
A certain amount of mucus is also normally produced in the genitourinary tract. However, the excess presence of this substance could indicate an irritative situation of the urinary mucosa, which can herald a real inflammatory state.

. This secretion manifests itself in the form of more or less thin filaments or bundles, which can sometimes form a variegated background in the microscopic field.
The increase of mucus in the urine can represent a sign of a pathology affecting the urinary tract (urethra, urinary bladder, renal pelvis and kidney). To identify the exact cause that determines an excess of this secretion and look for any pathogenic microorganisms a "urine culture" is required in the sample.

Possible associated symptoms

When mucus is particularly abundant in the urine, the viscous material may be visible to the naked eye.
If the episode is sporadic, there should be no cause for excessive concern, as it could be a momentary irritation of the urinary canal, to which our body responds by increasing the amount of mucus produced in the area.
In women, during or after urination, the presence of this manifestation is normal, as it may be due to vaginal discharge. In this case, the mucus is whitish in color and is not malodorous (see cervical mucus).
In both sexes, when the mucus appears yellowish, purulent and is accompanied by symptoms such as discomfort during urination, frequent urination and pain in the lower abdomen, it indicates urinary tract infections or inflammation.
If there is excess mucus, the urine may appear cloudy and darker in color.

: although all the organs of the urinary system can be affected by infectious processes, bacteria generally invade the urethra (urethritis) and bladder (cystitis), eventually spreading to the upper urinary tract. In addition to the finding of mucus in the urine, urinary infections typically cause symptoms such as an urgent and frequent urge to urinate, with poor urine output, pain, burning and difficulty in urination.

Sexually transmitted diseases: in the presence of venereal diseases such as gonorrhea, trichomoniasis or chlamydia it is quite common to find mucus-purulent discharge, often with a bad odor, from the "urethra (the tube which, opening to the outside, conveys the" urine from the bladder outside the body). As a result, the urine appears cloudy, yellow, and stringy. These symptoms are usually associated with itching and burning, especially during urination and sexual intercourse.

Irritable bowel syndrome: this is a rather frequent functional disorder, which affects the colon causing abdominal pain, intestinal swelling, alvo disorders (diarrhea or constipation, often altered between them) and meteorism. Irritable bowel syndrome is commonly associated with mucorrhea, which is the copious elimination of mucus with the stool. Sometimes the mucus can also be present in the urine or contaminate it in the toilet giving the impression of a urinary origin.

Ulcerative colitis: chronic inflammatory disease that affects the large intestine, first affecting the rectum, and then eventually extending to the entire colon; it causes the appearance of numerous punctiform ulcerations, which cause bleeding and the discharge of mucus into the lumen of the intestine. Typical symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and diarrhea, often mixed with blood and mucous discharge. Sometimes the mucus can also be present in the urine or contaminate it in the toilet, giving the impression of a urinary origin.

Kidney stones: presence of mineral aggregates inside the urinary tract, responsible for the emission of bad-smelling and dark yellow urine with traces of mucus. If the size of the kidney stones is such as to occlude the urinary tract, cramps and violent abdominal pain arise, which constitute the picture of the so-called renal colic.

and white, as well as favoring the identification of the possible presence of bacteria, epithelial cells, mucus and crystals. The result must be deepened with urine culture.

. In the case of women, it is good to carry out the examination away from the menstrual period.
The urine must be collected in a sterile container, which must be carefully closed immediately afterwards and taken to the laboratory within a short period of time.

(gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis etc.);

Kidney stones;

Pregnancy;

Poor hygiene in children.

What to do

As stated above, it is important not to overlook the presence of mucus in the urine, especially when it comes to a frequent or chronic finding, associated with any of the aforementioned symptoms. In these cases, a medical consultation is therefore appropriate and necessary.