Urine is one of the most critical determinants of our health and physical well-being. Not just the color but even the urine composition can ascertain if there is something wrong with our physiological functions. The normal urine color typically switches from pale yellow to deep amber, depending on the concentration of urochrome in the urine.
Foamy urine is a lot more common in men than we think. Although the condition is normal if it happens sporadically, persistent discharge of foamy urine is a concern. The biggest reason behind foamy urine is the unwanted discharge of proteins out of the body.
This article explores the topic of foamy urine in men, what it means, the causes behind the condition, and a few effective treatment options.
Also Read: Semen Analysis Report: How to Read a Sperm Analysis Test Report
Get a consultation with the best specialist in your Location
In this Article
What are the Alarming Symptoms of Foamy Urine in Men?
Foamy urine can either happen once every few months. This is considered normal. For the most part, it doesn’t have to do with the physiological functions but the speed and flow of the discharge.
However, if you frequently find the persistent discharge of foamy urine, paired with a host of other associated symptoms, it requires immediate medical attention.
Some of the common additional symptoms you should consider are:
- Edema in the body’s extremities, including hands, feet, etc.
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chronic tiredness throughout the day
- Having trouble getting quality sleep
- Very dark-colored urine
- Issues during ejaculation in men
- Possible infertility signs
You might experience bubbles in urine with no additional symptoms or with some or all the symptoms mentioned above. If the condition worsens over time, it is ideal to seek medical help to find out the underlying cause.
Also Read: How to Increase Sperm Count: 9 Best and Natural Ways to Boost Male Fertility and Sperm Count
What are the Causes of Foamy Urine in Men?
Now that you know what foamy urine is and what symptoms and risk factors you need to consider, let us highlight the causes. Remember that you don’t necessarily have to jump to conclusions without getting a proper diagnosis.
Sometimes, the cause doesn’t even correlate with your physiology and has to do with the flow of urine or the surfactants in the toilet bowl. So, always make sure you get a proper diagnosis and consultation to rule out every possible cause.
That said, there are a few alarming triggers that could be causing foamy urine in men. They include:
| Cause | How does it Affect? |
| Dehydration | – Lack of water balance leaves the urine color extremely dark.
– Concentrated urine also contains protein in them, which has surfactant properties. Studies have found that the surfactant property can cause a foamy appearance. – If prevalent even after proper hydration, it is an indicator of a condition called proteinuria. |
| Kidney Disease | – Damaged kidney function leads to the passing of excessive albumin through the kidneys without reabsorbing them into the bloodstream.
– Albuminuria or proteinuria can lead to foamy urine in men. – This indicates an early sign of kidney disease. |
| Diabetes | – Can cause excess passing of albumin through the kidneys, causing a foamy appearance.
– Can be a sign of diabetic nephropathy. – Can be an outcome of damage to the kidney’s microvascular and filtration system due to nephropathy. |
These are some of the medically concerning causes that need immediate interventions. If you consult a doctor with the symptoms, they will conduct the associated tests to rule out any of the above issues before curating a treatment plan aligned to your needs.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Foamy Urine in Men
Besides the general speed and flow of the urine contributing to the foamy texture and appearance, the protein stands out as the primary trigger.
So, if you consult a primary care doctor with the symptoms, the first line of diagnosis is with a routine urine test. This can be a dip test to check the protein levels in the urine. If the initial reports show alarmingly high levels of protein, a doctor can suggest a 24-hours urine test to get a better picture of the condition.
Another crucial test is to measure the albumin to creatinine ratio. A higher range of this indicates possible signs of kidney damage in the patient. The last line of diagnosis is to conduct an ultrasound to get a clear picture of the kidney’s anatomy and its functionalities.
The treatment for bubbles in urine in men is subjective to the diagnosis. Your doctor will assess all the test reports, conclude the problem, and draw a proper treatment plan. Besides modern medicine, a few lifestyle and dietary changes can help too.
Get a consultation from the best IVF center of your Location
Conclusion
If you witness the recurrence of foamy urine every day, don’t take the situation for granted. Instead, it is ideal to consult the primary care doctor to clear out any possible underlying disease. It could be nothing of concern, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
FAQs
Can sperm cause foamy urine?
Remnant semen in the urethra, especially in patients with retrograde ejaculation can result in foamy urine. However, the condition is very rare and isn’t the first line of diagnosis. However, if none of the other factors are responsible, your doctor might resort to the possibility of remaining semen in the urethra as a cause.
Does foamy urine mean high creatinine?
Patients with foamy urine often have a high risk of having a condition called proteinuria, which is marked by the presence of protein in the urine. Signs of proteinuria lead to high creatinine and phosphate levels in the patient.
What home remedy stops foamy urine?
One of the most common foamy urine causes is dehydration. If that is the case, drinking more water and fluids throughout the day can fix the issue.
References:
1- What are the Causes of Foamy Urine in Men? | NCBI
2- Diagnosis and Treatment for Foamy Urine in Men | NIDDK
This content has been reviewed by Srujana Mohanty who is working in scientific & medical writing and editing since 2018. She is also associated with the quality assurance team of scientific journal editing.
