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Yeast in Urine (Urine Yeasts): What Your Result Means

What yeast on a urinalysis means, why it often comes from contamination or colonization, who is more likely to have it, and when yeast in urine needs attention.

Published

August 10, 2024

Last updated

November 2, 2026

Read time

2 min read

Medically reviewed by

Rhonda Collins, FNP-C

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Yeast in urine, usually a Candida species, is called candiduria. It is a common finding and can come from contamination during collection, from yeast living in the bladder without causing infection (colonization), or less often from an infection. Most people with yeast in their urine have no symptoms ^[1][2].

What does urine yeast on a urinalysis mean?

The microscopic exam of a urinalysis checks the urine sample for cells, crystals, and germs, including yeast ^[3]. A yeast result means yeast cells were seen in the sample. It does not show whether the yeast is causing an infection, and no established test reliably tells infection apart from colonization ^[1].

Why does yeast show up in urine?

Yeast can reach a urine sample in three ways ^[1]:

• Contamination of the sample during collection. The clean-catch method is used to keep germs from the penis or vagina out of the sample ^[4].
• Colonization, where yeast lives in the bladder without causing illness.
• Infection of the urinary tract, either spreading up from the bladder or, less often, reaching the kidneys through the bloodstream.

Candiduria is more common in people with diabetes, an indwelling urinary catheter, recent broad-spectrum antibiotic use, or a blockage in the urinary tract, and in people treated in intensive care units ^[2]. If you have diabetes, urine glucose is reported on the same urinalysis.

Does yeast in urine need treatment?

Usually not when there are no symptoms. Yeast in the urine of a person without symptoms does not call for antifungal treatment, except in people with very low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), very low birth weight infants, and people about to have a urologic procedure ^[2]. Complications from yeast without symptoms appear to be uncommon. Yeast rarely spreads to the bloodstream unless the urinary tract is blocked or a procedure is done on it ^[1].

When is yeast in urine a concern?

Yeast in urine matters more when it comes with urinary symptoms, because Candida can cause bladder infection (cystitis), kidney infection (pyelonephritis), and infection of the prostate or epididymis ^[2]. A yeast finding is read alongside the urine white blood cell count and the rest of the urinalysis. Talk with your clinician if yeast appears with symptoms such as pain when you urinate, or if you have a urinary catheter or a blockage in the urinary tract.

Urine yeasts testing with Mito

The Urinalysis, Complete Test with Reflex to Urine Culture reports yeast on its microscopic exam, along with casts, crystals, and bacteria. Check the product page for current pricing and availability.

References

1. Kauffman CA. Candiduria. Clin Infect Dis. 2005
2. Odabasi Z, Mert A. Candida urinary tract infections in adults. World J Urol. 2020
3. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Urinalysis
4. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Clean catch urine sample