What you can expect

You might collect a urine sample at home or at your health care provider's office. Providers typically give out containers for urine samples. You might be asked to collect the sample at home first thing in the morning, when your urine is more concentrated.

You might be instructed to collect the sample midstream, using a clean-catch method. This method involves the following steps:

• Cleanse the urinary opening. Women should spread the labia and clean from front to back. Men should wipe the tip of the penis.
• Begin to urinate into the toilet.
• Pass the collection container into your urine stream.
• Urinate at least 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 milliliters) into the collection container.
• Finish urinating into the toilet.
• Deliver the sample as directed by your health care provider.
• If you can't deliver the sample to the designated area within 60 minutes of collection, refrigerate the sample, unless your provider has told you otherwise.

In some cases, if needed, your provider can insert a thin, flexible tube (catheter) through the urinary tract opening and into the bladder to collect the urine sample.

The urine sample is sent to a lab for analysis. You can return to your usual activities immediately.