In most cases dark cloudy urine causes may be quite serious and may require immediate medical intervention as it could be an indication of an underlying medical problem. Cloudy urine may also be accompanied with other symptoms such as burning or pain while urinating, increase in the frequency of urination and so on. One of the most common cloudy urine causes is completely harmless.


In this case, dark cloudy urine is causes because of the build up of excessive phosphate in ones urine. This is usually observed after an individual has consumed a large meal or even had milk that has high phosphate content. One may check if the dark cloudy urine is caused because of excessive phosphate at home itself which maybe done by simply dropping some vinegar in one’s urine sample.


If the cloudy urine is because of phosphate build up then the urine will become clear almost immediately. Cloudy urine symptoms may also be observed in women on account of vaginal discharge which may be because of abnormal vaginal discharges or even normal vaginal discharges. Pus in the urine is also one of the cloudy urine causes which may indicate the presence of kidney infections, urinary tract infections. Infections of the bladder may also result in dark cloudy urine which is because of the presence of white blood cells in the urine. In such cases one may also experience some other cloudy urine symptoms such as fever or chills, abdominal pain, feeling of urgency, frequent urination and so on. One of the other causes of cloudy urine especially cloudy urine during pregnancy that is a matter of concern is a medical condition called proteinuria. In this medical condition, the urine becomes cloudy on account of excessive protein in the urine. This is especially dangerous if observed during pregnancy as protein in the urine is one of the symptoms that may lead to pre-eclampsia. High blood pressure and excessive protein in the urine during pregnancy is a matter of serious concern especially during the second and third trimester of ones pregnancy and hence requires immediate medical attention. On the other hand, dark cloudy urine may also be observed in men who are suffering from an infection of the prostrate. This infection may also result in the prostrate becoming very tender and may also result in other symptoms such as chills and fever as well as pain and urgency in urination.

What you eat or drink may sometimes result in cloudy urine. Organic foods high in vitamin B and C, dark foods like beet, carrots, asparagus, and rhubarbs, vitamin supplements with beta-carotene, and food dye based edibles may cause discoloration in the urine. This will usually cease with a change in diet.

However, if you notice a combination of cloudy, smelly urine you should immediately seek medical advice. Other cloudy urine symptoms may be prevalent like pus in the urine, pink color due to blood in the urine, stomach pain, or discomfort in the bladder or urethra. If any of these cloudy urine symptoms persist, they could be a cause for concern.

Cloudy Urine Causes

• One of the cloudy urine causes could include UTI or urinary tract infection. This could be due to an infection in the bladder or an infection which has progressed towards the urinary tract. UTI’s are more common in women than in men. The urethra of women is closer to the bladder and therefore the chances of spreading infection are higher. Most women will suffer from urinary tract infection at one time or the other.

• UTI’s may also be a symptom of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia are some examples of STDs which could also result in cloudy urine along with symptoms like burning or itching sensation during or after urinating, frequent urination, passing small quantities of urine at a time, pain in the urinary region, and so on.

• Vaginal discharges in women may also cause cloudy urine. While these may be common during or after a menstrual cycle, they are likely to fade away. However, if the cloudy urine persists with foul smelling or yellowish vaginal discharge, it could be a sign of UTI and must be medically examined. Many women mistake the sign of blood in the urine as part of the menstrual process. However, any blood in the urine is abnormal and needs immediate medical examination.

• Cloudy urine during pregnancy could be a sign of UTI. During pregnancy, women are at an increased risk of contracting infections since their immunity is lower. UTI’s are more common during pregnancy when the progesterone production is high and the ureters are relaxed. With the uterus bearing down on the ureter, urine passes slowly into the bladder increasing the chance of accumulation of bacteria.

• Cloudy urine causes could also include dehydration. Concentrated urine may look darker or cloudy. Intake of fluids can help relieve this problem. Another oft-cited remedy includes consuming cranberry juice. While this is not a medical cure for UTI or cloudy urine causes, it may help as the acid level in cranberry juice neutralizes the phosphate levels in urine.

• Kidney infection could also result in cloudy urine symptoms. If cloudy urine is followed by high fever, nausea, stomach pain and pain in the lower back region, consult your doctor immediately. Individuals suffering from kidney stone may also see cloudy urine.

• A more serious condition called proteinuria (protein in the urine) may also cause cloudy urine symptoms. Kidney problems, blood pressure, and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women are medical conditions which lead to protein in the blood. These are severe conditions and need medical diagnosis immediately.

Cloudy urine symptoms may have benign or severe causes; but they are usually hard to recognize. It is best not to self evaluate and have these symptoms checked by a doctor, followed by a proper course of antibiotics and care.