UTIs are frequent, especially in sexually active women who are in their reproductive years.
Bacteria that enter your urethra during sexual activity can cause urinary tract infections.
You might be worried that acquiring an infection of this kind might cause your period to be delayed because the opening of your urethra is just in front of your vagina.
UTIs don’t, however, immediately affect your reproductive organs or menstrual cycle.
Read on to learn more.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ UTIs are a prevalent illness that affects many people.
✅ They frequently arise in sexually active, reproductive-age women.
✅ Your menstruation won’t be delayed if you have a UTI. It’s possible that a UTI’s stress will have an effect.
✅ You can be more susceptible to developing a UTI at this time because of the low estrogen levels that happen right before menstruation.
A UTI may occasionally enter your higher urinary tract. As a result, you can have a kidney infection. Although this illness is more severe, it won’t stop your period. Menstruation may occasionally be postponed by being ill with one of the numerous illnesses.
You can feel unbalanced if you have the flu or a cold. Although there isn’t a direct link, this is also possible with UTIs.
UTIs often induce stress and burning in addition to pain. You can also feel ill and anxious around them. Your menstruation may be delayed by a UTI, but it may also be brought on by stress. High levels of stress affect your menstrual cycle, according to a review of the literature from 2006 and a 2015 study.
Ironically, rather than the other way around, it’s possible that your menstrual cycle influences the timing of your UTI.
Decreased estrogen levels are the cause of this. The anti-inflammatory effects of estrogen. You could be less likely to have a UTI if your estrogen levels are high. The beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus, which lives in your vagina, is likewise kept healthy and active by estrogen.
By regulating vaginal pH, lactobacillus keeps the number of harmful bacteria at a minimum.
Around menstruation, estrogen production decreases. You can become more susceptible to getting sick as a result of this. If you add severe stress to the mix, your menstruation can be postponed by a few days.
Can antibiotics cause a menstrual delay?
You will be given antibiotics to treat the infection if bacteria are the cause of your UTI. Antibiotics function by eradicating or preventing bacterial growth. The majority of antibiotics have no effect on the hormones that control ovulation and menstruation. The most frequent type of UTI, lower tract UTIs, often respond well to oral antibiotics.
For lower tract, straightforward UTIs, the most widely prescribed medicines are:
- cephalexin
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
- ceftriaxone
- fosfomycin
- nitrofurantoin
There is no evidence that any of these drugs can postpone menstruation. One antibiotic, rifampin, may affect hormonal balance and delay your period. Although it is not frequently used for UTIs, rifampin combined with trimethoprim can be helpful against these infections.
For upper tract UTIs, intravenous antibiotics like Vabomere may be necessary. There is no evidence connecting Vabomere to a missed period.
What could postpone a period?
The first thing that may come to mind if you engage in sexual activity and your period is late is pregnancy. There are other medical issues that could cause your period to be delayed even if you are not pregnant. They consist of:
- the polycystic ovary syndrome
- hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- primary ovarian failure
- stress
- Extreme weight gain or decrease
- poorly managed diabetes
The signs of pregnancy
Some early pregnancy symptoms, such as late or skipped menstruation, can mimic a UTI. They consist of:
- fatigue
- nausea
- urinating frequently
During pregnancy, a urinary tract infection is probable. Calling your doctor is the best method to find out for sure. Taking antibiotics or another prescribed form of treatment is crucial for recovering your health if you have a UTI.
When to consult your physician
Your doctor will need to recommend antibiotics if you have a UTI in order to treat the infection. Your doctor will prescribe medications that are safe to use while pregnant for you if you have a UTI.
They might also suggest preventative drugs that lower your risk of UTIs if you have repeated infections. Calling your doctor right away to discuss treatment choices is a smart idea because waiting to get treated could make your infection worse.
Lower back pain is one symptom that could signal both a kidney infection and a miscarriage. Call your doctor if you have lower back pain that is accompanied by nausea.
Consult your doctor about possible lifestyle modifications if you frequently have UTIs. These consist of:
- consuming enough water
- regularly urinating as opposed to holding it in
- urinating right away after a sexual encounter
- cleaning your genitalia each day and after sex
- wiping after using the restroom from front to back
- refraining from douching or using feminine care products like vaginal sprays