Have a dreaded urinary tract infection (UTI) and wondering where TF your period went?
At some point, up to 50 to 60 percent of women will experience the fateful burning, discomfort, and sad pee attempts brought on by a UTI. If your flow is ghosting you on top of the discomfort, it’s logical to think it’s related.
Hold up: Can a UTI really delay your period?
The short answer is no. UTIs don’t directly delay your period. The infection is caused by bacteria in the urinary tract, and it shouldn’t impact your reproductive organs or menstrual cycle.
However, illness and stress in itself *can* mess with your cycle.
Here’s what to know about UTIs and a late period.
Why can’t UTIs *directly* mess with your period?
UTIs can mess with your life in addition to your urinary tract, and in extreme cases, your kidneys. The pain and discomfort can leave you feeling sick and stressed. As a result, this stress (not the infection itself) may delay your period.
According to a 2015 study, perceived high levels of stress can impact your menstrual cycle. Basically, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed TF out may make your period show up late, become erratic, or not come at all.
Blame your cycle
In a cruel turn of fate, it might actually be your menstrual cycle that provoked the UTI — not the other way around.
When estrogen levels drop after ovulation, it makes you more susceptible to UTIs. Basically, estrogen has anti-inflammatory properties that can help keep UTIs at bay. Estrogen also helps keep Lactobacillus (the vagina’s “good” bacteria) thriving and healthy. This keeps your vaginal pH regular and fends off “bad” bacteria.
So, after ovulation, your bod may be a little more vulnerable to infection. If you’re really stressed, you may be even more susceptible. Voila! The perfect setup for a UTI.
Can antibiotics screw up your flow?
Chances are your doc will prescribe antibiotics to kill the UTI-causing bacteria and stop them from multiplying. These medications also shouldn’t impact the hormones that regulate menstruation and ovulation.
Lower tract UTIs, the most common type, tend to respond very well to antibiotics. Commonly prescribed antibiotics for UTIs include:
- cephalexin (Keflex)
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
- ceftriaxone
- fosfomycin (Monurol)
- nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
These meds don’t impact menstruation, so they shouldn’t cause your period to be late.
There is one big maybe
Rifampin (Rifadin), an antibiotic sometimes used to treat UTIs, may impact your hormones and delay your period. However, your doc is very unlikely to prescribe you rifampin (typically used with trimethoprim) to treat your UTI.
Sometimes, upper tract UTIs are treated with intravenous antibiotics like Vabomere. No data suggests these IV antibiotics will delay your period.
Wait, are you actually pregnant?
If you’re sexually active and your flow is nowhere to be found, you *might* be pregnant. Grab a few tests from the drugstore and hit up an OB-GYN to make sure.
In addition to a late or missed period, some early signs of pregnancy can mimic UTI symptoms, including:
Already preggo?
It’s also possible to have a UTI while pregnant, so talk to your doc to be sure.
If you are pregnant and have a UTI, treating it ASAP is the healthiest option for you and your baby.
OK, so what else can delay your period?
If you’re not pregnant, other reasons for a delayed flow include:
- stress
- extreme weight loss or weight gain
- thyroid conditions
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- primary ovarian insufficiency
- diabetes
Here’s when to talk with your doc
If you think you have a UTI, the CDC recommends heading to your doctor for treatment.
There are natural treatments for UTIs (such as apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice), but the research on their effectiveness is limited. Delaying treatment can make your infection worse, so it’s better to play it safe.
If you’re pregnant, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics that are safe to take while you have a bun in the oven.
If you have lower back pain in addition to UTI symptoms, that could signal a kidney infection, so talk to your doctor ASAP.
Have chronic UTIs?
If you have UTIs that treatment can’t kick or keep coming back, they’re considered chronic.
Talk to your doctor about medication or lifestyle measures. These may include:
- prophylactic meds that reduce your risk of UTIs
- drinking more water
- peeing as soon as you feel the urge
- peeing right after sex
- taking care to wash down there thoroughly and on the daily
- wiping from front to back after No. 2
- avoiding douching or feminine hygiene products
The bottom line
UTIs are common, especially in people with vaginas who are sexually active or of reproductive age. Having a UTI can’t delay your period directly, but the stress caused by one may mess with your hormones and your flow.
If you think you have a UTI or are unsure about the cause of your missed period, hit up a doc.
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