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
-
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
Hi I’m Ruth.
I had unprotected sex with my partner last year November in which I saw my period I 25dec 2018 from then I didn’t see my period for the past ten months and I’m not pregnant though I’m cytitis positive what could be the cause of my period delayment please?
Ten months is really long period, you shoud definitely see your doctor cause it can be a lot of diferent causes.
Hello.
I was supposed to receive my periods date 18th last month but till now they haven’t come. And for the last 2weeks have been on treatment for UTI. Could this lead to delayed periods. And last week I tested and pregnancy test was negative😦.? So am confused.
Hello Gloria, having a UTI should not directly affect your period but there are other factors that link UTIs and periods, like hormonal imbalances, stress, sex, and hygiene.
My name is janie. I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend (withdrawal). I am supposed to see my period on the 6th but today is 9th have done a urinal pregnancy test which showed negative but I do feel cramps in my stomach. That’s the early signs I do get when I am close to my period but now I do urinate almost every time and I do feel pains after urinating, my breast is also becoming heavy and full
Pls help
Hi Janie, you could test again after another few days to see if maybe either your period is just late or you ovulated later than you thought and a positive won’t show up yet. But cramps and full breasts are normal before your period as well. I would test again.
Hi my periods are 7 days but pregnancy test says negative but I just found out I have a uti so could it delay my periods?
Hi Refliwe, a UTI can delay your period because our bodies are sensitive to change, illness, etc. When you say your periods are 7 days did you get it, is it late (how long is your cycle) and you can consider that. If there is no way that you could be pregnant I wouldn’t worry and also give it until after your UTI is gone and you may see your period return. That being said, you can always test again if your period is late.
Hi, my name is Blessing, I had unprotected sex ( with withdrawal) on Sunday 15th Nov, I’ve missed my period for 3 days now. Since Friday 23, I’ve been experiencing cramps which I usually get before my period but still no period, nor any form of spotting. Just the regular whitish discharge like I’m still ovulating.
P.S I’m in a boot camp which is really stressful and I’ve read that stress can cause a delay, but I’m still worried because of the cramps. All other PMS signs have stopped except for the cramps
Hello Blessing, cramps might be due to period being on the way. Once there was withdrawal at the right time during sex then you should not be pregnant.
I received my menstrual on August 26-30. The whole of September haven’t received and now its half a month still not yet. I have been having sex with my hubby without protection and am not on any contraceptives. I was having cramps and back pain, later tender breasts and a bitter taste and sometimes feeling sleepy. I tested for pregnancy on 6th of this month and it was negative. Now its three days i suspect am having uti coz of pain on my left side. Could u help me understand what is going on with my body.
Hi Angelah, if you haven’t had your period since August and you are usually regular I would speak with your doctor. Yes a UTI can delay a period because your body is trying to heal itself and will generally delay your period from happening. But if that isn’t the case and you are not pregnant then I would recommend an appointment with the doctor. Good luck and feel better.
Hi, I m 15 yrs old, I had unprotected sex (withdrawal) four days ago.. And since then I have been visiting the toilet frequently. I always have the urge to pee, I get this burning sensation when I pee, and I also get small amount of pee (leaking).
Can this stop me from seeing my menstrual period?
Hi Symphiiney, you could have a UTI and I would contact your doctor. Can it affect your period, most certainly because the body will try to take care of one thing prior to the other. Make an appointment and see your gyno so they can get you some medication to help the UTI and then after that you should see your period.
Hello, I am missing my period for 6 days now, I had an unprotected sex (withdrawal) on July 14th and had a period at July 23rd to July 27th. My period supposed to start in August 27th. But now it’s September 3. I had a urinalysis on August 31 because my urine color had become dark, and hazy. They had a findings that I had 24-35 WBC and more than 50 RBC in my urine. I sitll haven’t seen a doctor after my urinalysis. What could be the reason of my delayed period?
Hi Jenelyn, well you wouldn’t be pregnant if you got your period. However yes, a low WBC means that you have an infection, which can delay your period.
I’m Megan and I need advice, I am 15 and long story short I had unprotected sex, he did not cum, but then 2 days later I then found out I had a uti that got so bad it ended up into my kidneys. I had to go to the hospital bc I was having awful stomach pain. I took antibiotics to make both of them go away. But now my period is 6 days late, and I am scared that this is something I do not want it to be. So do you think that having a uti and kidney infection could be the cause to my late period?
Hi Megan, yes taking antibiotics and being sick can cause your body to suppress your period. However, I would recommend a pregnancy test just in case.
Hi, it’s 7 days now with my period not coming yet I experience abdominal pain below my bellybutton plus I have tenderness in my breasts and they kinda hurt when I jump or something, what could really be the cause of my delayed period.
Plus I had unprotected sex ( withdraw) around 26th of July and this is like the time for me to be in my period.
What could be the problem
Hi Sammy, take a pregnancy test honestly. The withdrawal method isn’t 100% effective.
Hi I am Jennifer and I have a uti I’m on antibiotics to treat it but I am noticing that I started my period and it lasted 2 days then stopped and today I noticed a little blood when I wiped but that was it could the antibiotics be causing my period to stop and start again
HI Jennifer, yes antibiotics can cause our period to be a little off. So yes if it’s not similar to one you normally get, this could be highly likely.
hi, i’m 22. 11 days missed period. my period cycle is 34 days. I feel burning sensation when i peed and i frequent urinate but i peed an small amount. I had just experience it before my period start but my period didn’t come 11 days now, we had sexually intercourse with my husband in my ovulation day and other days. My breast is sore and i feel sleepy always. i didn’t try to use HCG test kit yet.
Hi Arnie, take a pregnant test first. And if that’s negative see your doctor to get tested for a UTI. Which I would do anyway.
I already took a pregnancy test and it’s Positive. yey
Hi there Arnie, Congrats!
Hi
I am suffering from irregular periods. Its almost three months i had periods. From two days i was suffering from high fever. I had gone urine test. There i got to know that there is RBC of 30-35. I do not have any stomach ache. But my doctor said its an urine infection and prescribed me antibiotics for 5days. He also said that i may have stone in my bladder. How should i confirm this? As i do not have any symptoms like stomach pain,or frequently go for a urine pass.
Please suggest me what measure i should take. And what type of conclusion i should decide.
Hello Twinkle, please read the below link to help you with this.
Hi I am Patty ! Okay so I got my period last month from June 20th to June 25th.My partner and I had unprotected sex on June 29th so then I spotted on july 7th and 8th and then it stopped I was suppose to get my period on july 20th and no period soo i went to the E. R. Today JULY 30th because I’ve been cramping and lower back pain and they tested my urine and pregnancy test said negative but supposedly I have a bladder infection . But can I possibly be pregnant or is my period 10 days late because of the infection . Help please !!
Hello Patty, your period could be delayed as a result of the Urinary Tract Infection.
hi i have missed my period for over a month now and the doctor asked me to do a preg test and it came out negative. and based on my urinalysis result, i have uti and the doc prescribed antibiotics to treat the uti and progesterone to induce my period but i still have not gotten my period. i took a pregnancy test 3 times after that and it all came out negative. Should i go back to the doc?
Hello Grace, yes I believe you should see your doctor again.
I have a uti ( I know because I have them all the time) but this time my period came earlier and much lighter ( i have cyst that makes me bleed extremely heavy with painful cramps)..but this time It came 3 days earlier very light and was gone in 2 days…should I be worried I am not currently on antibiotics because it is the weekend and i haven’t seen my doctor yet!
Hello Keki, please see your doctor about this chronic and ongoing issue.