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Foamy Urine - Why is it caused? Is this normal?

Last Updated - Fri, May 11 2018

Similar Questions - what causes foamy urine, foamy urine pictures, frothy urine , what does foamy uine look like, bubbles in urine, forth while uination, no protein in urine, proteinuria, foamy urine in morning

Detailed Question:

Hi Doc,

I have been having foam in my urine for past 2 weeks. I am actually confused to see so many bubbles while urinating in morning.
  • What can cause froth while peeing? 
  • Can you please tell me what is happening? 
  • I have been having lots of fish lately in my diet. It is because of that? 
  • Is it normal and happens for everyone?
  • But when I drink loads of water, I rarely see foams in my urine
I would be really glad if you can answer these questions in detail for me.

Look forward to your answer.

Category: General Physician


Hey there,

Thanks for asking the question about foamy urine (or bubbles in urine). Passing foamy urine every once in a while is nothing to worry about, it could be because your bladder is full and usually due to the speed of urine flow. In case if its persistently frothy while urinating, you should consult with a doctor.
This can be a sign of kidney problem and protein in your urine (proteinuria). Let me tell you in detail about foamy urine:-

Causes of foamy urine 
  1. Proteinuria: This is a condition in which protein is released into the urine in high amounts. Usually, urine should have very little or no traces of protein. When these levels become abnormally high, the urine can have a foamy appearance.  This can be an indication that your kidneys are not working properly.
  2. Diabetes: Diabetes can affect your kidney function and result in urine foaming up when you urinating. And other indication can be being overweight and high blood pressure.
  3. Urinary tract infections: Having burning sensation, higher urinary frequency and urgency may also make urine appear foamy. This is due to bacterial infection.
  4. Semen in urine: In a situation where there occur bladder sphincter malfunctions and
    causing the semen to go back into the bladder, which is called retrograde ejaculation can cause urine look like foamy.
  5. Other causes: Other causes of foam in urine include Rapid urination, Cardiovascular disease, Chemical reactiondehydration, rheumatoid arthritis and Preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Other Symptoms along with Foamy Urine
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Trouble in sleeping
  • Cloudy or dark colored urine
  • Releasing little to no semen during orgasm
  • Swelling of your hands, feet, face, and abdomen
Foamy Urine Treatment
  1. Eat a balanced diet and Exercise regularly to prevent foamy urine is caused by kidney damage
  2. Limit your salt intake. Excess of Salt can turn out to be your enemy.
  3. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices help to flush out the microorganisms but avoid soda and reduce alcohol consumption.
  4. Empty the bladder regularly to avoid forceful and speedy urination
  5. If the bubbles are due to proteinuria, you will need to avoid protein supplements and high-protein foods. Minimize eating foods rich in proteins like fish, chicken.
  6. If the bubbles in urine are due to kidney diseases or Preeclampsia, in case of pregnancy, you should consult a doctor.
When should consult a doctor
  1. When you notice cloudy or foamy urine for several days 
  2. When you have other symptoms such as swelling, loose motion, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, and you feel tired
  3. When producing fewer amounts or no fluid during orgasm, in case of a male.
How is Foamy Urine diagnosed
  • Testing protein levels in your urine. This is called the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), which is taken over a 24-hour period.If the result is higher than 30 milligrams per gram (mg/g), you might have kidney disease. And should do other tests to check how well your kidneys are working.
  • If retrograde ejaculation is a suspected cause for your foamy urine, then you should check for sperm in your urine.

Remember that most of us have foamy urine sometimes and it is nothing to worry about. Read more here. If you notice that your urine is more often gets a foamy look like and it is not a pale color, you should increase your water intake. However, If your urine continues to look foamy, please consult a general physician on JustDoc as it could be a more complicated problem in that case.


About Author

The above medicine data is written by . It is edited, updated and maintained by JustDoc Quality Team. If you have any queries regarding the data, please email us at doctors@justdoc.com. Read about our Medical Team here.



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