Can UTIs Cause Period Delays or Irregular Bleeding?

How UTIs Can Lead to Menstrual Cycle Irregularities

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are uncomfortable bacterial infections that can cause painful urination, pelvic pain, and other unpleasant symptoms. For those who menstruate, UTIs can also sometimes throw off the regular menstrual cycle.

There are a few reasons why having a UTI might be linked to period delays or irregularities:

Inflammation and Hormones

UTIs cause inflammation in the urinary tract and sometimes other pelvic areas as the body fights the infection. This swelling and inflammation prompts the immune system to produce proteins called cytokines. Some research indicates that certain cytokines can impact levels of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Since carefully orchestrated rises and falls of these hormones control the menstrual cycle, changes provoked by inflammation could delay the cycle or make periods heavier or lighter than usual.

Stress Hormones

Dealing with UTI symptoms like persistent urges to pee, stinging sensations, pelvic discomfort, and more can be stressful. Stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight pathways, which include the release of hormones like cortisol and epinephrine.

Over time, having chronically high levels of these hormones from ongoing stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle and potentially lead to missing periods. The nerves and hormone regulation centers in the brain are very susceptible to stress.

Treatment Antibiotics

To clear up a UTI, doctors usually prescribe oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Some antibiotics like tetracyclines, penicillins, sulfonamides, and fluoroquinolones are more likely to sometimes cause menstrual irregularities as a temporary side effect.

Experts think that antibiotics might interfere with bacteria in the vagina that play a role in keeping reproductive hormones balanced. Antibiotics can also on rare occasions cause direct toxicity to ovarian follicles that release eggs.

In most cases, menstrual cycles return to normal within one or two months after finishing the antibiotics to treat the UTI. If not, make sure to follow up with your healthcare provider.

When UTIs Might Delay Periods

Some people with UTIs notice their next expected period doesn’t arrive on schedule. Others might have mid-cycle spotting and irregular bleeding instead of a typical period.

So why might UTIs be more likely to interfere with getting a period for some people but not others? Here are some potential reasons:

Age

Younger adolescents who have only recently begun menstruating seem most susceptible to UTIs delaying or disrupting their cycles. This may be because menstrual cycles in teens are still irregular as the body learns to coordinate hormone signaling.

By contrast, healthy adults who have had regular period for many years can typically tolerate the stress and inflammation of an uncomplicated UTI without seeing changes in their cycles.

Previous Menstrual Issues

Those will pre-existing menstrual problems like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or primary ovarian insufficiency may struggle with very inconsistent and unusual periods when battling any illness.

For these people, even mild disruptions in hormones or added inflammation and stress seem capable of halting menstrual cycles or drastically altering flow, timing, or PMS symptoms.

Severity of UTI

Mild UTIs might only delay periods by a few days or maybe one cycle at most. But more advanced kidney infections that spread up the urinary tract can cause high fevers, body aches, nausea and vomiting alongside UTI symptoms.

Battling severe systemic illness and inflammation places huge strain on the endocrine glands like the ovaries and thyroid that maintain reproductive health. Losing a period while very ill and then recovering is quite normal.

Other Medications

Sometimes treatment for UTIs involves not only antibiotics but also additional medications like NSAID pain relievers, Phenazopyridine to ease urinary discomfort, or antispasmodics to relax muscles in the urinary tract.

Some of these other drugs alongside certain antibiotic classes might increase the odds of menstrual delays or breakthrough bleeding more than antibiotics alone for a UTI would.

When to Seek Medical Care

Missed, delayed, or irregular periods can feel concerning. But in otherwise healthy people, temporarily losing a cycle or two during and after battling an infection usually resolves on its own.

However, check in with your doctor if:

• You miss more than 2-3 consecutive expected periods
• Bleeding becomes extremely heavy and protracted
• You struggle to get periods back even a few months after the UTI has cleared
• You deal with severe menstrual pain and PMS symptoms
• You feel very concerned about any bleeding changes or fertility impacts

When uncertain if your menstrual issues might indicate an underlying gynecological condition, getting professionally evaluated can help identify next steps. Your provider may check hormone levels, examine your pelvic area, order ultrasound scans, or suggest special diet and lifestyle changes.

Staying Healthy

Making smart choices when recovering from UTIs might help minimize impacts on your menstrual cycle:

• Take any antibiotics as directed to fully clear infections
• Get plenty of rest and nutrition to support healing
• Reduce added stresses until you feel better
• Give the body at least a few cycles to bounce back
• Keep up with annual well-woman checkups

While frustrating to deal with, try to have patience with some period abnormalities after battling UTIs and other illness. With time, cycles generally stabilize and return to what’s normal for you.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.