When you urinate (pee), you may sometimes see bubbles in the toilet. Bubbly urine, which may occur from urinating quickly or forcefully, is harmless. Foamy urine, which appears foamy or frothy, may indicate an underlying health condition.
Seeing foamy urine in the toilet isn’t an immediate cause for concern; it can occur after a hard workout, from being dehydrated, or after an illness like a urinary tract infection (UTI).
If you frequently notice foamy urine, there may be protein in your urine, which can indicate a problem with your kidney function.
You may notice changes in your urine’s appearance from time to time. Foamy urine describes a foam that appears on top of your urine and is often confused with bubbly urine. It is normal for bubbles to appear in your urine, especially if you urinate quickly and with a lot of force. These bubbles typically disappear after you finish.
Foamy urine has a thicker, white texture that can appear frothy, like steamed milk on top of a hot drink. It does not disappear quickly and can last for several minutes. There is usually no pain unless you have a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Proteins in the urine cause foamy urine and are present because of an issue with your kidneys. These proteins make it easier for bubbles to form in the urine, similar to how soap helps suds form with water.
Proteins are not always a cause for concern. They are sometimes present due to recent exercise, fever, or other illnesses.
However, if you frequently have foamy urine, speak with your healthcare provider to help determine the cause.
Your kidneys help conserve substances your body needs and release substances it doesn’t. For example, the kidneys help conserve water during dehydration. When dehydrated, your urine can be darker because your kidneys reabsorb as much water as possible before it leaves your body as urine.
Your kidneys also help conserve proteins in your blood. Proteins like albumin cannot pass through a healthy kidney’s powerful filtration system. Foamy urine occurs when proteins sneak past your kidneys and end up in your urine. The clinical term for the presence of proteins in the urine is proteinuria or, in some cases, albuminuria.
Foamy urine is not always an immediate cause for concern. However, foamy urine could be a symptom of a health concern, which should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Some possible causes of proteins in your urine include:
- Diabetic neuropathy: Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your kidney’s filtration system and blood vessels, causing proteins to pass through the kidney and present in the urine.
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure can impact the function of your kidney’s filtration system, damage your blood vessels, and affect your water balance. Protein in the urine of people who are pregnant may be a sign of preeclampsia, high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy.
- Lupus: This autoimmune disease can target and attack organs in your body, like the kidney. When this occurs, your kidney may not function well, leading to proteins in your urine.
- Dehydration: Your kidneys work harder to conserve water so your body can function properly, resulting in proteins in the urine. Proteinuria from dehydration is usually harmless.
- Heavy exercise: When you exercise, your kidneys can experience short-term stress, resulting in proteins in the urine. Proteinuria from exercise is usually harmless.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Up to 80% of individuals with UTIs may have proteins in their urine. Once the UTI is resolved, this usually goes away.
- Fevers and acute illness: When you are sick, your kidney function can be affected, and proteins may be present in your urine. Proteinuria caused by acute illness is usually not a cause for concern.
- Medications: Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can impact your kidneys’ ability to reabsorb proteins that pass the filtration system.
Most people will occasionally see bubbles in the toilet after urinating. If these bubbles appear frothy and do not dissipate quickly, you may have proteins in your urine. Although not an immediate cause for concern, frequent cases of frothy urine should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
If you experience additional symptoms along with frothy urine, it may be a sign that your kidneys are not functioning properly, and you should seek medical attention. These symptoms include:
- Frequent and/or painful urination
- Swelling in your legs, hands, or joints
- Skin rash
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Very high blood pressure
Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and may order laboratory tests to investigate the cause of your foamy urine. These tests may include blood draws, urine dip tests, or 24-hour urine collection. In some cases, they may order imaging of your kidneys.
Foamy urine caused by a fever, infection, dehydration, or exercise will likely resolve as your body recovers from the short-term stress. Foamy urine may sometimes persist, requiring treatment by a healthcare professional. Some common treatments include:
- Drink more fluids: When you are sick or after exercising for an extended period, your body can become dehydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and resolve foamy urine.
- Treat the underlying cause: If foamy urine is caused by an underlying condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure, work with your healthcare provider to better manage these chronic conditions.
If your healthcare provider believes medications such as NSAIDs may be causing foamy urine, they may recommend not using the medication or finding an alternative option.
Preventing foamy urine depends on the underlying cause. If you have foamy urine due to dehydration or exercise, staying well hydrated can help prevent the issue.
To prevent foamy urine from underlying health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle can be beneficial. Some ways to support your overall health include:
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Stay active
- Avoid or quit smoking
No matter the cause of your foamy urine, keeping open communication with your healthcare provider will help support your kidney health.
Foamy urine occurs when proteins like albumin are present in your urine. This can be caused by dehydration or exercise, but it can sometimes be a sign of an underlying kidney problem caused by chronic disease.
If you frequently experience foamy urine—especially if it occurs alongside swelling, fever, or nausea—speak with a healthcare professional to identify the cause of protein in your urine.
