Periods should come regularly when you’re not trying to conceive. However, there are instances when they get delayed and it can be a worrying thought for any women whether or not they are trying to get pregnant. Yet again, there are reasons why your period might be a bit late.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) affects more women than it does men. The female anatomy puts ladies at a slight disadvantage here as the urethra in women is shorter than that of males. As such, bacteria only need a short distance to travel in order to reach the bladder. [1]
Many ladies have also wondered whether getting a UTI affects the arrival of menstruation. There are a certain number of days between the previous bleeding and the next, and when a UTI is thrown into the middle of it, it’s not unusual to wonder whether it is causing periods to be delayed.
Before the question can be answered, it’s important to know just what a urinary tract infection is and what causes delayed menstruation.
What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
As its name suggests, a UTI is the infection of the urinary system which includes the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. Most of the infections occur in the lower urinary tract which includes the bladder and urethra. A UTI can be a painful experience for a sufferer and symptoms [2] include:
- a burning sensation when urinating
- constant need to urinate
- passing small amounts of urine frequently
- urine with a strong smell
- cloudy urine
- pelvic pain
A UTI affects different parts of the urinary tract and, there are specific signs and symptoms depending on which part is infected:
- bladder (also called cystitis) – discomfort in the lower abdomen, urination that is frequent and painful, blood in the urine, pelvic pressure
- kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) – pain on the upper back and side, high fever, nausea, vomiting, shaking and chills.
- urethra (urethritis) – burning sensation when peeing, discharge
UTI occurs when bacteria gets into the urinary tract by way of the urethra and multiply in the bladder. Your urinary system is designed to keep them out, but there are occasions when they fail. The uncontrolled growth of bacteria is what leads to infections.
Normal case UTIs can be treated with antibiotics but more severe varieties may need hospital treatment.
There are ways to limit the risk of UTIs [3], and these include:
- drinking plenty of water – this dilutes the urine and although it makes you go to the bathroom more often, it is an effective way of flushing out bacteria from the urinary tract
- wiping from front to back – this stops the spread of bacteria from the anal region to the vagina and urethra; always do this after urinating and bowel movements
- changing birth control method – items such as diaphragms and preservatives treated with spermicide are culprits in the growth of bacteria
Reasons for a Late Period
Pregnancy might be the top reason for a missed period but if you’re not trying for a child, there may be other reasons for your late period [4]. It may be caused by:
- too much exercise and excessive weight loss – a dramatic drop in body weight may lead to missed periods and so can excessive exercise. For instance, training for a marathon puts the body in too much stress and prevents ovulation in the process.
- stress – period hormones are regulated in the hypothalamus which can be affected by stress.
- thyroid imbalance – the thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism and problems with it can affect your period.
- polycystic ovary syndrome – a hormone imbalance that leads to lack of ovulation causing you not to menstruate.
- birth control method – the side effect of some products include missed periods plus it takes a while for menses to return if you’ve stopped birth control.
- chronic diseases – celiac is often mentioned but chronic diseases (especially those that are left untreated) in general cause stresses your system which can then affect your period.
UTI and Your Menstruation
Now that you know the basics of a urinary tract infection and the possible causes of a late period, is there a possible connection between them? Put simply, can suffering from a UTI be the cause of menstruation being delayed? The short answer is no but it may also be possible. How can that be?
As discussed earlier, stressors to the body can delay ovulation leading to your period coming in later than expected. But generally, UTI isn’t a common reason for you not menstruating on an expected date. [5]
Women are more prone than men to be affected by UTI mostly because of shorter urethras. They can even suffer from it more than once and when that happens, it’s best to consult a doctor who can tell you the further steps to take which may include additional treatments.
References
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1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
2. https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/your-guide-urinary-tract-infections
3. https://www.everydayhealth.com/urinary-tract-infection/how-prevent-utis/
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/why-is-my-period-late
5. https://uqora.com/blogs/news/can-having-a-uti-affect-your-period
I last had my period 1/3 or 4/18, I had unprotected 1/23/18, after that, I went to the restroom and experienced the burning sensation when peeing, discharge and constant need to urinate, passing small amounts of urine frequently, cloudy urine. A few days or weeks later, it stopped and now I very seldom (sometimes still do) experience the symptoms of a bladder infection. I’ve taken 3 first response pregnancy tests and they all came out negative. It is now 2/28/18 and I have still not gotten my period. I’ve had no pregnancy symptoms: swollen/sore breasts, a bigger belly, cravings etc, none, but a missed period. Instead I’ve been worried sick and not not really eating much lately. I’ve not went to the doctor.
Should I get this checked out?
Is there a slight or 0% chance I could be pregnant?
Is this an infection for sure?
Hi V, having a UTI or a bladder infection generally would not cause the delay in your period however if your body has been run down lately it could delay it. If you still have not had your period I would take another test and if that’s negative I would make an appointment to help clear up the infection if that’s what you indeed have.
Hi, I am 28 days delayed of my period. I had several hpts, all were negative. I have occassional abdominal twinges. I used to have lower abdomen cramps during the early days of my cycle, and I sometime have on and off back pain. I never had that burning sensation when voiding but could I have infection?? I don’t know why I don’t have my period yet.
Hello Budz, all these symptoms could be as a result of having a Urinary Tract Infection. Read more here: https://womanjunction.com/can-a-uti-delay-or-stop-your-period/
hello….thanks for that wonderful piece of information. For me since October 2017 till now i have not seen my periods and i had the pregnancy test of which i was negative. What could be the cause?
Hello Anne, there could be quite a number of things responsible for this, read the following link: https://womanjunction.com/what-if-your-period-is-late/
I last got my period on 25 Dec, then a week later experienced a burning urine with blood. and I only got antibiotics today, could the bleeding possibly made my periods to be this late?
Hi Kamo, you seem to have a urinary tract infection which the antibiotics will treat.
does that I’m going to get my periods when the infection is treated?
Yes Kamo, your period should return after.
Hi. My last period was on Dec 11th. I have t recieved .y period this month. I have very irregular periods that last upto 14 days sometimes. I had unprotected sex on Dec22 three days after my period. I have been feeling serious breast pain, lower back pain and burning sensation while peeing, spotting and cramps. What does this mean?
Hi Brenda,
First things first, make a appointment with your doctor to address the potential UTI. Lower abdominal pain could be a side effect of the UTI, but could also be your period. If you had unprotected sex you could also consider pregnancy (especially if the spotting is light and only when you wipe), especially if you are highly irregular and don’t know when you ovulate. I would also take a pregnancy test or have them do one when you go to an appointment. Also know that it could be from an STI or an STD as well.
Hii my last period was Jan 12 but for only 1 day and today they told me I have a UTI can that be the reason my period stopped??
Hi there Giana, yes a UTI can definitely contribute to a delayed period.
My last period was on December 13th. I am suppose to get my next period in 7 days and have been pretty consistent with the 28-day schedule. I just got a UTI 4 days ago and have been on antibiotics since. I had unprotected sex 2 weeks ago but he pulled out. My breasts have been growing and are very tender for the last 5 days, usually it begins a couple days before I get my period. Should I take a pregnancy test?
Hi tbt. I would recommend taking one if you haven’t gotten your period yet at this point, which would be about 9 days since you posted the comment.
I am success Gabriel, was having UTI last month I treated it and I saw my ovulation last three weeks and my period is late could that be the result of the UTI.
Hello Success, if you had taken antibiotics for treatment of your UTI this might have delayed your period.
Hello alison and everyone, can I ask something.
Im 21 years old. My last period is oct. 16. But until now I don’t have period. I have contact since oct.28-30. Unprotected but withdrawal . Am I pregnant? I feel something in my lower back, but nothing cramps. Sometimes i have migraine. But My pt is negative. I don’t know if it’s cause of my delay is UTI. Not so much pain in my lower back but I have something feel if I straight my body. Hope you notice me mam.
Hello Shina, a UTI can result in a delayed period. Your period should return naturally soon.
I had a uti for the week my period was due. My last period was the 20th of September. Between then and now I have moved to a different country, I have also had colds in this time. I have not had October’s period. I am not pregnant. Can a uti affect your period?
Hello Gemma, yes UTI do have a record of affecting periods as it delays ovulation.
Ive been diligently recording my cycles for over a year with no hiccups. I started on the fourth or so I thought. I used one tampon and havent had any type of flow since midday sunday. I had a slight pain in my lower left side day before yesterday now it has gotten worse and moved under my ribs and side. Could I be pregnant or is there something else that could be the issue?
Hello Melissa, please see your doctor about this ASAP.
Hey I treated uti last month and my period has been late for about 8 days now what should I do?
Hello, Mherscie, this delay might be as a result of the use of the antibiotics to treat your UTI.
I am 13 and I have UTI my menstruation stopped for almost a year now and I’m fat too what should I do??
Hi there Anne, please ask mommy to take you to the doctor to thoroughly assess you and find out what’s going on.
I have UTI and my period has been delayed for two months now,pls what will I do next
Hi there Precious, please read the below link: https://womanjunction.com/can-a-uti-delay-or-stop-your-period/
I just had my period and during the middle of it, it stopped because I had a uti. And it just started again. Should I be worried?
Hi there Alyssa, this is normal during a UTI, see link below on this: https://womanjunction.com/can-a-uti-delay-or-stop-your-period/
I have UTI and then my period started on its regular timing but it causes more irritation with the presence of UTI. Is there any way to minimize the pain of this combination?
Hi there Rama, yes please see your doctor who will immediately administer antibiotics to treat this.