UTI After Period: Every Woman Should Get The Basics Right  

Do you always get UTI after period? It might be linked to the use of poor feminine products or bad menstrual hygiene. Here’s a word of advice for you all. 

There are only a few things worse than getting your monthly period, and urinary tract infection (extremely common in women) is one of them. We speak for every woman out there when we say that period is a disappointing experience every woman has to go through once a month. Add to this the chances of getting UTI after period every month, and bam, you have the worst combination in the world down there. 

So, what is the connection between UTIs and periods? Do you get UTIs just because you are menstruating? What is the real cause of frequent urinary tract infections? Are these questions buzzing around in your head too? Get on board with us to learn better ways of staying away from this double trouble. 

UTI After Period: What Is A UTI?

UTI or urinary tract infection is one of the most common infections experienced by women all over the globe. Women get UTIs when bacteria enter their urinary tract through the urethra. They then move up the urethra into the bladder and wreak havoc in your urinary tract. 

Women get UTIs more frequently than men because they have a shorter urethra which means that bacteria have to travel a relatively less distance to reach your urinary organs. UTIs are painful and irritating and can create several problems down there. 

What Are The Symptoms Of UTI? 

If you get a UTI after period, you will experience the following signs and symptoms. 

• Constant itchiness
• A burning sensation while peeing 
• Pain while passing urine 
• Frequent urge to urinate but only a few drops of urine come out 
• Restricted flow of urine 
• Pressure and pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis 

In case of serious UTIs (when the infection spreads to your kidneys), you may experience the following: 

• Fever 
• Upper back pain 
• Nausea
• Chronic fatigue 

If you want to get speedy treatment for UTIs, look out for these symptoms after your period and stop them at their source with the help of antibiotics. 

UTI After Period: What Are The Causes Of UTIs?

Although the urinary system is designed to shield you against bacteria, sometimes, the bacteria find one or another way to move up your urinary tract and cause mayhem down there. There are several factors why women get UTIs. 

• UTI because of body anatomy – As we mentioned, women have a shorter urethra than men. If your urethra gets in touch with bacteria, it takes less time to reach the bladder. Additionally, in women, the urethra is situated in close proximity to the anus. The bacteria from your poop can travel to the urinary tract from the route of the urethra. 
• UTI because of birth control methods – Any woman who uses a diaphragm is at a higher risk of getting UTIs than the ones who don’t. Also, using condoms with spermicidal agents can put a woman at a greater risk of developing UTIs. 
• UTI after sexual activities – Women can get UTIs after sex because the bacteria may enter the urethra from the vagina as both organs are located closely. Additionally, bacteria can enter your urinary tract from your partner. You must always maintain proper sexual hygiene to prevent getting UTIs. Safety first, pleasure second! 
• UTI after period perimenopause – Women experience low estrogen levels after menopause(1) which can cause changes in the vagina lining. It is because of this that bacteria stick more quickly to your vagina and give rise to urinary tract infections. 

How Periods And UTIs Are Connected?

Most women don’t know this but there are some links between UTIs and periods. They often brush off the symptoms of UTI during periods as one of the side effects of periods. Who would want to handle two devils at once? However, you cannot sweep aside the truth just like your urinary tract won’t sweep aside the bacteria sometimes. 

We have listed the reasons why you get a UTI after period every month below. 

• Low estrogen levels – Your estrogen levels decline during periods. As a result, your vagina becomes a better host for bacteria. This leads to the entry of bacteria into your urinary tract and also causes vaginal infection. hence, is the number one reason behind UTIs during the periods. 
• Sexually active during periods – If you are sexually active during your periods, you can get UTI. The bacteria from foreign sources can enter your urethra and cause UTI. 
• Poor menstrual hygiene – If you keep sanitary pads and tampons for long periods of time, they can hold bacteria and lead to their growth in the region. Due to the increased heat and moisture, bacterial growth is accelerated and you end up with a UTI. Therefore, it is suggested to change your feminine hygiene products frequently. 
• Emotional stress – A woman experiences a roller coaster ride of emotions during her period every month without any fault of hers. Slightly going off-topic, what are we women being punished for? Never mind, this emotional stress is linked to your defenses and might lower your immunity, making you more prone to UTIs. 

What Are The Ways To Prevent UTIs During Your Period?

Women and UTIs share a relationship like cats and dogs. If you give a woman an option between eating diet food daily and suffering from UTI, she will choose diet over this awful condition. Believe us and give us a shout-out if you find this right – a woman will do anything to prevent the development of bacterial infection in her urinary tract. 

Who wants another complication down there on top of periods which is the epitome of pain, irritation, and inconvenience? We hear you totally! 

If you have ever felt, “Why do I feel like I have a UTI on my period?”, we are here with some tried-and-tested ways to prevent UTI after period every month. 

Drink Water Because There’s No Replacement For It

The first and most important to avoid Uti after period is You should drink plenty of water during your periods to ward off bacteria that might have entered your urinary system. You should drink at least 2-3 liters of water every day during your periods to prevent the rise of urinary tract infections. You should focus on your water intake if you are more prone to UTIs. 

When your bladder tissues remain hydrated, they reduce the presence of bacteria in your urine by diluting it. Sometimes, you don’t even have to take antibiotics(2) if you drink ample water every day. Water will flush the bacteria out from your body by making you pee more often than usual. 

Furthermore, drinking water during your period can reduce the severity of cramps and reduce bloating. 

UTI After period Due To Feminine Care Products

Ever heard of toxic shock syndrome? Yes, that’s what can happen to you if you leave a sanitary pad or tampon on for prolonged periods. These feminine care products can care for you only for limited periods of time. When they become fully saturated, you have to let them go and put on a fresh feminine care product. 

If you keep pads or tampons on for a long time, they can encourage bacterial growth due to the trapped heat and moisture. As a result, they will be able to contain bacteria and facilitate their entry into the urinary system through the passage of the urethra. 

In general, you should keep a pad on for no longer than six hours during the day. You can wear it overnight and discard it in the morning. If you are experiencing heavy flow, you should change the products more frequently. Another warning sign is any odor coming from feminine care products. 

Don’t Use Scented Or Rough Feminine Care Products 

The main reason for getting UTI after period is the products that you choose. Choosing the right feminine care product is as important as choosing the right friend for yourself in school. You should always go for unscented and chemical-free feminine care products that won’t create a breeding ground for bacteria down there. These products should be soft, smooth-textured, made of cotton, and absorbable and breathable. 

Using the right feminine care product can prove to be a real game-changer for you if you are excessively prone to UTIs. Yes, there are some women who are more prone to UTIs just like there are some people who are more prone to cough and cold. It may be because of a weak immune system. You should stop using tampons altogether if this is the case for you. 

Sexual Hygiene Should Always Get A Upper Hand 

One of the major factors that contribute to UTIs is sex. You can come in contact with harmful bacteria during sex. Since your vagina is near your urethra, these bacteria have easy access to your urinary tract. Therefore, practicing sexual hygiene is of paramount importance with or without periods. 

The best life-saving hack is to pee right after having sex. When you urinate after sex, it can release the bacteria from your body. Also, remember to wipe the area front and back after peeing. It will eliminate all the living conditions that bacteria need to grow in. Bacteria won’t even have a chance at spreading through your urinary tract if you empty your bladder after sex. 

What Are The UTI Symptoms After Period? 

Your period is already over and you are once again ready to appreciate the beauty of the world. What you might not realize is that the bacteria is already sitting down there in your bladder waiting for its chance to mess with your urinary tract. 

You might not always get UTI during your period. Sometimes, you might experience the onset of UTI symptoms after your period. If you get a UTI after period every month, you might get the following symptoms. 

• Blood in urine 
• Burning sensation while peeing 
• Foul odor while urinating 
• Pee becomes cloudy and yellowish 
• Continued pain even after periods in the lower back 
• Frequent urination 
• Fever 
• Chronic fatigue 

You will be able to identify urinary tract infections more clearly after your period as you will no longer confuse the effects of periods with the symptoms of UTI. There is not much difference in the UTI symptoms you experience during and after your period. These are the same symptoms if you experience UTI after period of perimenopause. 

It is easier to deal with UTI after your period as you no longer have to manage two problems at the same time. UTI after period treatment generally involves a course of antibiotics. 

How To Prevent UTI After Period?

If you’re lucky, you won’t develop a UTI on your period days but if you’re down on luck, you might get a urinary tract infection right after your period and have to deal with two problems back-to-back without any break. Speaking honestly, without or without breaks, who even wants to deal with UTIs ever?

Fortunately, there are some ways in which you can prevent UTI after period on your own and stop this horrible bacteria from growing inside your body. 

• If you are prone to developing UTI after period, you should practice proper menstrual hygiene. Wear the right feminine care products even toward the end of your period. 
• Drink fluids that have the potential to flush the bacteria out of your body. Consume 2-3 liters of water every day and avoid the consumption of alcohol. 
• Wear comfortable clothes that are not too tight in the crotch area. This can increase the heat and moisture in the region which is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
• Avoid using irritants in the crotch area right after your period is over. These include scented products, powders, and wipes. 
• Use unscented wipes to clean the area front and back to make sure that no bacteria can travel up to the urinary system. 

Taking these preventive measures can save you from getting a UTI-after-period-treatment. 

What Helps UTI Go Away Naturally?

Some women have the chance of UTI after period, Some women don’t experience any UTI symptoms. This means that the extent of bacterial attack in your urinary system is not severe. If you have a not-so-serious urinary tract infection, you can also rely on natural methods to get rid of it. There are some proven natural remedies that can help you flush UTIs on your own. 

• Drink the right liquid and it will be a magic potion for you – Cranberries are supposed to eliminate bacteria from your urinary tract. They contain polyphenols that prevent the bacteria from sticking to the vaginal lining. You can drink unsweetened cranberry juice and eat dried cranberries to flush out bacteria from your body. 
• Probiotics are the enemies of bad bacteria – They can replace bad bacteria in your urinary tract with good bacteria and even help in the prevention of UTIs in the future. Drinking curd or taking oral probiotics can keep bacteria away from urinary tract cells. 
• Vitamins are your best friend – Consume more vitamins during UTIs. They help boost your immunity and strengthen your defenses against bacteria. Vitamins can reduce the pH of your urine and make the living conditions worse for bacteria down there.  

If you don’t like consuming antibiotics, you can avail the benefits of these remedies to get rid of UTIs. If you don’t get rid of the infection, the best step is to consult a healthcare professional and get the right medical treatment done. 

FAQ Related To UTI After Period

Here are a few common questions that always cross the minds of women whenever there is a discussion about UTIs and periods. 

Winding Up 

When we searched for UTI after period on Reddit, we found many women asking for solutions for UTIs during and after their period. There are many factors that contribute to UTIs during your menstrual time including sex, poor hygiene, hormonal imbalances, and stress. Hence, you should take utmost care regarding these factors during your period. 

It is best to boost your immunity and eat a balanced diet at this time that can improve your mood as well. You can also invest time in those activities that can lower your stress and keep your immune system strong during and after your period. 

We worry about the well-being of every woman reading this space. Your health and hygiene is in your hands. Don’t throw it all away for momentary comfort. Rather, be aware of the basic pointers that can keep you safe and sound down there.