When your period and UTI hits at the same time

Medically Reviewed by Board Certified Urologist, Dr. Yanina Barbalat.

For many women, the start of a menstrual cycle can sometimes bring another unwelcome surprise: a urinary tract infection (UTI). While UTIs do not directly affect your period, certain factors that occur around menstruation — such as hormonal changes, stress, sexual activity, and hygiene habits — may increase the likelihood of developing one.

Because 50–60% of women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives, it’s not uncommon for one to occur during a menstrual cycle. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce your risk. But why do these two unwelcome experiences sometimes appear at the same time?

Why do I get UTIs with my period?

Hormones

Estrogen can help keep UTIs at bay. "While UTIs are generally correlated with sexual activity, they tend to appear around your period," board-certified gynecologist Dr. Felice Gersh of Integrative Medical Group of Irvine explains to HelloGiggles. Vaginal estrogen is protective against UTIs and because it is at its lowest during the menstrual period, this may put a woman at an increased risk for an infection during that time.

Sex 

Sex is a known risk factor for UTIs.  Some women have more sex during their period because they are less concerned about getting pregnant. Unfortunately, the bacteria that cause a UTI that lives in the anus area can shift toward the urethra during sex. It can also aggravate your already sensitized urethra (due to your period), making it more open to bacterial infections.

Stress

It's no surprise that the pain and discomfort from your period can cause you stress. Stress can not only delay your period, but it can also lead to a UTI, as our bodies have a harder time fighting off infections when we're stressed. This is primarily because stress leads to high cortisol levels, which weakens our immune systems.

Pads and Tampons

When you have your period, you likely wear pads or tampons. These feminine care products can trap more heat and moisture than just underwear alone, especially if they aren't changed regularly. All of these factors promote bacterial growth, which increases your risk of getting a UTI.  

How Can I Prevent a UTI During Your Period?

Change Your Feminine Care Products

Always change your pads and tampons regularly to prevent an infection. In particular, don't leave a tampon in for longer than six hours. On average, a pad can be worn overnight or for four to six hours during the day. Change it when it is full or saturated, or it starts to develop an odor.

Consider Buying the Right Feminine Care Product

Cotton, absorbable, chemical free, and breathable pads may help prevent UTIs in patients who are prone to infections during their menstrual period. If you do have a UTI, avoid using tampons, as they can worsen your symptoms.

Urinate After Sex

Make sure to pee after doing the deed. This will help ensure that any bacteria that entered the urinary tract during sex is flushed out. 

Stay Calm 

Meditate. Breathe. Take time for yourself. Whatever it takes to ease your nerves, do it. You're worth it!

Stay Well Hydrated

Women lose fluid during their menstrual period. Studies have shown that drinking at least 1.5 L of water daily helps with UTI prevention. If you tend to get UTIs, it is very important to stay well hydrated. 

Drink a Glass of Water After Sexual Activity

"I tell all of my patients to drink a glass of water after sex. It usually forces them to go to the bathroom and pee in the middle of the night, which helps flush out any remaining bacteria in the urinary tract," says board certified urologist, Dr. Yanina Barbalat.

Utiva can help you prevent your next UTI 

Utiva’s urinary tract health products are designed to help support UTI prevention and are trusted by healthcare professionals. Our ingredients are sourced from North America and formulated to meet high quality standards. All Utiva products are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

Utiva Cranberry PACs provides the clinically researched 36 mg dose of cranberry PACs, a formulation supported by urology guidelines for helping reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs. For additional urinary tract support, Utiva also offers D-Mannose, which can be used alongside cranberry PACs as part of a prevention routine.