If you suffer from a urinary infection and your period has been delayed, you likely ask yourself whether a urinary infection can delay menstruation and why this happens. As we will explain throughout this article, cystitis or urinary infection, initially, does not have to be the reason for said delay itself. However, it is essential to clarify that there are specific emotional symptoms that an infection of this type can cause in women that could cause menstruation to take a few more days to arrive. If you want to know the exact answer to the question, “can a urine infection delay the period?” And in addition, to discover what other causes could be behind the absence of your menstruation, keep reading this article by FastlyHealin, which we explain in detail.
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Can the period be delayed due to a urine infection?
A urine infection is caused by the entry of bacteria into the urethra, which then reaches the bladder, which is where the condition develops most of the time, although it can also spread to the kidneys. As specialists assure, in principle, the urine infection does not have to delay the menstrual period or cause significant menstrual alterations. However, it should be noted that menstruation is a very complex process that can be affected by physical and psychological factors.
Having a urine infection can cause symptoms such as the need to urinate frequently and urgently, burning, pain and stinging when urinating, urine with abnormal color and even blood in some cases, pressure in the lower abdomen or lower back, fever, chills, nausea, and discomfort during sexual intercourse. In addition to all these, it can also make the affected woman more irritable, distressed, and stressed than average, especially if it is more severe or prolonged cystitis or urinary infection. And it is these emotional symptoms that could affect the natural course of the menstrual cycle and cause a delay in the period.
How does stress affect menstruation?
Both stress and anxiety can cause essential changes in the natural course of the menstrual cycle since they also cause hormonal alterations in the body. When a woman is subjected to a lot of stress, has accumulated tension, or is excessively worried and distressed about something, her menstruation may become irregular, tending to cycles that are too short or, on the contrary, too long. In other cases, the period is likely to be delayed for a few days or even stop altogether. A condition called secondary amenorrhea. This occurs when a woman who has menstruated regularly stops having periods for at least three or more consecutive menstrual cycles.
On the other hand, it has also been pointed out that stress and anxiety can make the symptoms that a woman experiences during the so-called premenstrual syndrome appear more intense and worsen.
Why is my period delayed?
Now that we know what the relationship is between cystitis and delayed menstruation, we are going to detail what factors and conditions can cause menstruation to be delayed:
- Pregnancy: in the event of any menstrual delay, it is essential to take a pregnancy test to clear up doubts, especially if you have had unprotected sex or suspect a possible pregnancy. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we explain when to do the pregnancy test.
- Stress, anxiety, and excessive tension.
- I am taking some medications, such as antidepressants or psychotropics.
- Very different time zones.
- Sudden and significant changes in weight.
- Critical nutritional deficiencies in the daily diet.
- Hormonal alterations
- I am taking hormonal contraceptives.
- Presence of cysts in the ovaries.
- Vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- The onset of menopause.
- The practice of excessive physical exercise or submission to short training programs.
Suppose the period is delayed for more than seven days, and the possibility of being pregnant has been ruled out. In that case, it is essential to go to the gynecologist to undergo the appropriate tests and to be able to find out if there is any disorder or condition that is behind this menstrual delay.
How to cure a urine infection
Faced with a urinary tract infection, it is essential to see a doctor since the condition must be treated with antibiotic drugs caused by bacteria or antiviral drugs when it is the result of a viral infection. Hospital admission is usually only required when the patient has a severe illness, suffers from a severe kidney infection, kidney stones, diseases such as cancer or diabetes, or is pregnant and has a fever or other symptoms.
In addition to medical treatment for urinary infection, the patient must follow the following recommendations to ensure that the condition resolves as soon as possible and the symptoms do not worsen:
- Drink plenty of water and healthy fluids throughout the day to help cleanse the urinary tract and eliminate bacteria.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or caffeinated beverages.
- We are not holding back the urge to urinate.
- Urinate right after having sex to prevent the entry of new bacteria.
- Maintain good intimate hygiene at all times.
- Avoid that the vaginal area is wet.
- When going to the bathroom, it is essential to constantly clean the intimate area from front to back and vice versa.
- Do not stay in wet or sweaty clothes for a long time after playing sports.
- Increase the consumption of foods rich in vitamin C that help prevent the proliferation of the bacteria responsible for the infection.
Among the home remedies to cure urine infection, the consumption of cranberry juice stands out, so it is also an excellent option to take it to prevent and treat cystitis. The following article explains all the benefits of cranberry juice for urinary infections.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can a urine infection delay my period? We recommend that you enter our category of Kidneys and urinary system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.