How Do You Test for Mucus in Urine?

Mucus is a thick, slippery fluid that coats and moistens certain parts of the body, including the nose, mouth, throat, and urinary tract. A small amount of mucus in your urine (pee) is normal. Having too much mucus may be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or other medical condition. A test called urinalysis can detect whether there is too much mucus in your urine.

Other names: microscopic urine analysis, microscopic examination of urine, urine test, urine analysis, UA

What is it used for?

A mucus in urine test may be part of a urinalysis. A urinalysis may be done during a regular check-up, or your health care provider may order the test if you have signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or other condition that can cause mucus in urine.

A urinalysis may include a visual check of your urine sample, tests for certain chemicals, and an examination under a microscope to look for certain types of cells. A mucus in urine test is part of a microscopic exam of urine.

Why do I need a mucus in urine test?

A urinalysis is often part of a routine checkup. Your provider may include a mucus in urine test in your urinalysis if you have symptoms of a UTI. These include:

• Frequent urge to urinate, even when you have little urine in your bladder
• Painful urination
• Dark, cloudy, or reddish-colored urine
• Bad smelling urine
• Weakness
• Fatigue

What happens during a mucus in urine test?

You will need to give a urine sample for the test. A health care professional may give you a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions for how to use the "clean catch" method to collect your urine sample. It's important to follow these instructions so that germs from your skin don't get into the sample:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them.
2. Open the container being careful not to touch the inside.
3. Clean your genital area with the cleansing wipe:
   • For a penis, wipe the entire head (end) of the penis. If you have a foreskin, pull it back first.
   • For a vagina, the labia (the folds of skin around the vagina) should be separated and wiped from front to back on the inner sides.
4. Urinate into the toilet for a few seconds, then stop the flow. Start urinating again, this time into the container. Don't let the container touch your body.
5. Collect at least an ounce or two of urine into the container. The container should have markings to show how much urine is needed.
6. Finish urinating into the toilet.
7. Put the cap on the and return it as instructed.

If you have hemorrhoids that bleed or are having your menstrual period, tell your provider before your test.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don't need any special preparations for this test. If your provider has ordered other urine or blood tests, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is no known risk to having a urinalysis or a test for mucus in urine.

What do the results mean?

A normal test result usually shows a small or moderate amount of mucus in your urine. A large amount of mucus may be a sign of a medical problem, including:

• A urinary tract infection (UTI)
• A sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Kidney stones
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Bladder cancer

To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

Is there anything else I need to know about a mucus in urine test?

If a urinalysis is part of your regular checkup, your urine will be tested for a variety of substances along with mucus. These include red and white blood cells, proteins, acid and sugar levels, and the concentration of particles in your urine.

If you get frequent UTIs, your provider may recommend more testing, as well as steps that may help prevent future infections.