Mucus threads in urine-What is it, 8 Causes, Symptoms, 7 Treatments

Mucus threads in urine can be an indicator of many illnesses in your body. The color of the urine and the contents of the urine can tell us a lot about our health, if we are suffering from any sort of disease, etc. So, doing a urine routine examination forms the first step in identifying many diseases.

What is mucus threads in urine:

Mucus threads in urine can be found in normal people who don’t have any diseases also. The color, consistency of the mucus in urine is very important to note. Also, the other symptoms that the person is suffering from along with the mucus threads in urine is also important.

In most people, mucus threads in urine are generally thin and transparent fluid like. Sometimes mucus in urine can also be white in color. But, if you see any yellow colored mucus threads in urine, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition in your body.

Mucus threads in urine or mucus in urine causes:

There are many causes of having mucus threads in urine ranging from mild discharge to lethal conditions like bladder cancer. Let us explore them below.

Urinary tract infection:

A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria, most commonly E.coli or Escherichia coli. Urinary tract infection can affect both men and women, but omen are more prone to these infections due to their short urethra. A urinary infection can damage the epithelium of the urinary tract leading to release of mucus threads in urine.

A person having UTI will have symptoms like:

• Increased frequency of urination or having to go to bathroom more often
• Burning micturition or burning sensation while urinating
• Urgency or having to rush to the washroom
• Passing small amounts of urine each time
• Pain in the pelvic part of abdomen or lower abdomen
• Having blood or RBC’s in the urine
• Having mucus threads in urine

Sexually transmitted infection:

Sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia or Gonorrhea can also release mucus threads in urine. Both of them have similar symptoms like:

• Burning while urinating
• Vaginal bleeding in women
• Pus discharge from the penis in males or vagina in females
• Discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region
• Release of mucus threads in urine

Discharge from urinary tract:

Our urinary tract produces mucus normally from the bladder and the urethra. This is to help in protecting our urinary tract from the bacteria which cause urinary infections. This mucus is released as mucus threads in urine.

But, generally, they are of transparent or white color and small in quantity. If you notice that the color of the mucus threads in urine is changing to yellow, or the quantity of mucus in urine is increased, you need to contact your healthcare provider.

Vaginal secretions:

In women mucus-like substance is released from the vagina regularly, and it helps to protect the vagina from infections and helps in lubricating the vagina. In women, many hormonal changes take place regularly due to menstruation, ovulation, pregnancy, usage of oral contraceptive pills, etc.

These changes increase the secretion of mucus from the vagina. This mucus secreted from the vagina is released in urine when urinating, women tend to assume that this mucus threads in urine are released from kidneys, though that is usually not the case.

Bladder cancer:

Mucus threads in urine can also be caused by bladder cancer. But, this is not a very common condition. Bladder cancer is common in people aged more than 50 years, and that too in people who smoke regularly. People with bladder cancer also have the symptom like:

• Having blood in urine
• Passing urine is painless
• Losing weight more quickly

Kidney stones:

Kidney stones can occur due to the deposit of certain minerals in your kidneys like calcium oxalate, etc. They are triggered due to eating certain specific type of foods. When you have kidney stones, you will notice mucus threads in urine as your urinary tract produces more mucus to get rid of the kidney stones. You will also have other symptoms like:

• Having severe colicky pain in the loin or beside your backbone
• This pain in the loin can radiate to the groin
• You might notice blood in urine
• You might develop severe nausea and vomiting

Ulcerative colitis:

Ulcerative colitis is part of a condition called Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. IBD includes Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In Ulcerative colitis also we can see excess mucus production from the digestive tract which is released from the anus.

This might come out along with urine while passing urine, making you notice mucus threads in urine or mucus in urine. People with ulcerative colitis also have many other symptoms like:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Bleeding from rectum or blood along with stools
• Losing weight due to malabsorption of nutrients
• Development of fissures, fistulas in the intestines, etc.

Irritable bowel syndrome:

It is a condition associated with stress. People who are very stressed can develop this condition. People having Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS have symptoms like:

• Alternating constipation and diarrhea, that is they tend to suffer from constipation sometimes, and diarrhea sometimes
• They have severe abdominal pain or cramps
• They pass small pellets or ribbon-shaped stools which come out very hard
• A lot of mucus is produced from the anus which is released as mucus threads in urine when passing urine

Mucus threads in urine Symptoms:

There are many symptoms caused by conditions that cause mucus threads in urine like:

• Burning micturition
• Increased frequency of urination
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Loin to groin pain
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Discharge of pus from the genital regions like penis in males or vagina in females
• Blood in urine
• Weight loss
• Pain during sexual intercourse

 Mucus threads in urine treatment:

There are many treatments for mucus threads in urine. They are:

Increase water intake:

Increased water intake can help in clearing up any urine infection that you might be having. It can also help to expel kidney stones if they are small in size. It can also help relieve constipation if you are suffering from IBS. Drink at least 2 liters of water every day.

Using appropriate antibiotics:

Mucus threads in urine are caused by urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted infections sometimes. They need to be treated with antibiotics. Urinary tract infections are generally treated with antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Nitrofurantoin, etc.

Sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia and gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics like Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, etc.

Using anti-inflammatory drugs:

Sometimes usage of anti-inflammatory drugs like Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, etc is also essential to reduce the swelling or inflammation of the genital tract or urinary tract associated with the infection. If the inflammation is reduced, the problem of having mucus threads in urine will also be reduced to some extent.

Proper hygiene:

You need to be hygienic to avoid urinary tract infectionsStop urinating in unhygienic places. Wear loose cotton underwear. Keep your genital region clean and hygienic to avoid infections.

Cranberry juice:

This juice has many properties that help in getting rid of urinary tract infections very easily. Drink this when you have urinary infections.

Yogurt and honey:

They help in the growth of probiotics or helpful bacteria in the gut. The increase of helpful bacteria in gut promote digestion and help in getting rid of symptoms of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.

Dietary modifications:

A disease like IBS are controlled mostly with diet, and also with some medications. You will need to eat fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, green leafy vegetables to reduce constipation associated with IBS.

When to see a doctor for mucus threads in urine:

• You need to see a doctor fast if you have any of the following:
• Yellow or greenish colored mucus threads in urine
• Foul smelling mucus in urine
• Pain in the pelvic region or lower abdomen
• Having burning micturition or increased frequency of urination
• Having blood in urine or red colored or pink colored urine along with mucus threads in urine
• Weight loss even though you are eating properly
• Painful sexual intercourse

You have seen all the possible causes, symptoms and treatments of having mucus threads in urine. Hope you have liked the article. Do visit your physician if you have any of the symptoms that we pointed out above.