More information about the Cookies we use, and why we use them, can be found here: Cookie Policy. Vaginal or cervical infections can also be a reason for irregular periods. Causes of anemia. The hormone causes breasts to grow during puberty, stimulates the production of breastmilk after childbirth, and helps control the menstrual cycle. UTIs don't directly delay your period. Featured image is of a person sitting on a train looking at their phone, Last updated July 2022 Simple vaginitis (eg, candidal, bacterial vaginosis) may cause intermenstrual . It could be uterine fibroids. By the same token, extreme weight loss, especially as a result of an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, also messes with your hormones and can even stop your periods altogether. Menstruation . Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. If your period changed became heavier, lighter, longer, or less frequent would you notice? Trauma to the cervix (the opening of the womb) can also cause intermenstrual bleeding this can occur during rough sex, following a medical procedure involving the cervix (from a smear test to a termination), or might even happen spontaneously if that person has an ectropion, when an area of cells usually found inside the cervix appears on the outside. Periods that become very irregular after youve had regular menstrual cycles. Hormonal birth control: Birth control pills can treat heavy period bleeding caused by endometriosis, fibroids, and PCOS. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition caused by changes in the amount of certain types of bacteria in your vagina. You may also bleed between periods if you: miss any combined pills. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Pelvic-Inflammatory-Disease-PID. . obstruction or blockage of the digestive tract, which may be caused by conditions such as colorectal, ovarian, or stomach cancer. Your body perceives excess exercise as an extreme stressor and may put the kibosh on the monthly hormonal symphony it's used to producing. Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse. They are common in sexually active women (although theyre not sexually transmitted). Squirting, orgasm, and female ejaculation: whats the difference? YourBiology: Best for gut health and digestion. Symptoms of PID include a heavy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, irregular periods and pelvic pain. 10 Reasons and What to Do, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause, Relationship among nutritional intake, anxiety, and menstrual irregularity in elite rowers, When you visit your doctor: Irregular menstrual periods, A menstrual cycle that changes by more than 20 days each month. 04. You should talk with your healthcare provider whenever you experience a significant change in your menstrual cycle. There are lots of STIs out there, with a huge variety of symptoms, or sometimes no symptoms at all. Cut back on prolonged or intense exercise routines. way around- fluctuating estrogen levels control the vagina's micro environment and may make it more or less prone to infections. Treatment of irregular periods depends on the underlying cause. This most common type of anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your body. or cause irregular periods? . Office on Womens Health. If youre concerned, its always a good idea to check in with your doctor. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. The average menstrual cycle is 28-days long, but it can last anywhere from 21 to 45 days. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. In short, bleeding in between periods can occur for a huge variety of reasons. There is a relationship between UTIs and sexual health, but a UTI will never directly cause you to develop irregular periods, experience a late period, or miss a period all together. Infections like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis can also cause . One of the common causes of irregular periods, antidepressants and other medications can disrupt your cycle and make you skip periods or get them more frequently. Can a bacterial infection cause bleeding between periods? As always, talk to your doctor about any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms you're dealing with and the medications you're taking. Everyones normal is different. There is a connection between reproductive health and urinary tract infections, but a UTI will never directly affect your menstrual period. Some women don't have any signs or symptoms. Complications from this damage might include: To reduce your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. If you recognise the symptoms youre having as thrush, its quite reasonable to buy these without seeing a doctor. A normal menstrual cycle lasts 24 to 38 days. Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the body stops ovulating, and periods temporarily stop. Anemia or anaemia (British English) is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, or a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin. Normally, the vaginas internal pH hovers within the acidic range of 3.8 to 4.5. Evie is a GP registrar currently based in Yorkshire. Ive just had a natural miscarriage, why is my period so heavy? While infertility can have symptoms like irregular periods or severe menstrual cramps, the truth is that most causes of infertility are silent. What does it mean if your bleeding and your not on your period? These and more less-expected causes of irregular periods could be to blame, too. Biotics 8: Best for testosterone, energy, and weight loss. They include: Disruptions or changes in your daily routine can have an impact on your menstrual cycle. Skipping one or two periods isnt ideal, but its not too concerning. Can a bacterial infection cause irregular periods? However, if some time passes and you still have symptoms of feeling off, it doesnt hurt to consult your doctor, whether youre on your period or not. Common causes of vaginal bleeding between periods are infection, injury and using hormonal contraception. Its easily treated with antibiotics. 2021;13(10):3436. doi:10.3390/nu13103436. Many other aspects of a period can also vary hugely between different people, including how heavy their period is and the symptoms experienced alongside it, including stomach cramps, and emotional symptoms. In 2013, about 88,000 women ages 15-44 in the United States were diagnosed with PID. Some people are able to predict their period to the exact day, while others cant. It's caused by a bacterial infection, usually a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia. Bacterial vaginosis, however, if that is what you are referring to, is not likely to do this, although the emotional impact of having any form of . Other irregular periods include heavy or light bleeding, bleeding between periods, and painful periods. When to Worry About Missed or Irregular Periods. Office on Womens Health. A typical menstruating individual typically gets their period every 21 to 35 days. The Femedic 2023. Infection can cause inflammation and bleeding. Possible treatment options include hormonal birth control, intrauterine device, and pain management. In addition to being one of the causes of irregular periods, other signs of PCOS include acne, excessive hair growth, and weight gain. Practice yoga. . The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease might be mild and difficult to recognize. Chlamydia can be tested for in the urine or by using a swab inserted into the vagina and is treated with antibiotics either a single dose of antibiotic then and there, or a course of antibiotics for a week. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. . Can bacterial infection cause prolonged periods? One commonly known period problem is called amenorrhea; this is the lack of a menstrual period. Can UTIs be contributing to your irregular cycle or delaying your period? Hopefully the answer is yes: Paying attention to irregularities in your cycle provides a clue into your overall health. This type of infection is more serious, but will not delay your period. vaginas internal pH hovers within the acidic range of 3.8 to 4.5, untreated BV can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), your doctor might wait to treat the bacterial vaginosis, Rebalance Personal Moisturizing and Cleansing Wipes, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Vaginal pH, may disrupt the overall bacterial balance in your vagina, the insertion of tampons may affect the overall bacterial balance, if you start noticing any strange symptoms, IUDs, a common form of birth control, may alter the vaginal microbiome, Caring for Your Vaginal Microbiome: The First Step in the Journey to Pregnancy, Gratitude 101: How to Let Loved Ones Know You Appreciate Them, How Vaginal Health Can Reduce Risk of UTIs. If left untreated, it can raise your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cause problems . If youve ever had or are prone to getting bacterial vaginosis (BV), you might be wondering if BV can affect your period. Menstruation in adolescents: whats normal? Yikes. what you need to know about Graves' Disease, shorter and more irregular menstrual cycles, PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in people with vaginas. Pelvic inflammatory disease: Diagnosis, management, and prevention. Normally, it starts out as another sexually transmitted infection, like chlamydia or gonorrhea, that presents external symptoms. Yes: Menstrual irregularities can occur from a wide variety of systemic condition which alter the metabolism or hormonal levels, and this includes infection. It's caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Long-term use of steroids may cause heavy or irregular periods. Periods are uncomfortable enough without adding BV into the mix. Find information on women's health issues, fitness, and lifestyle at the Women's Health Center BV was assessed using Nugent scores. She also used to run the blog, A Balanced Life Cooks. Can an infection cause irregular periods? Vaginal thrush can cause itching and discomfort down below, and a change in discharge causing it to become thicker and white; often described as cottage cheese-like. For a bacterial infection to occur, bacteria have to find their way into the bloodstream. . You should. Other STIs are less likely to cause bleeding in between periods, but may cause some of the other symptoms listed above. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising moderately and eating nutritious foods. Yeast also contains an estrogen binding protein (EBP) which can bind to estrogen, tricking the body . Other symptoms include vaginal dryness and production of breastmilk when you're not pregnant or nursing, according to the Endocrine Society. The most common causes of irregular periods are: 3. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Examples of irregular periods include periods that occur fewer than 21 days or more than 35 days apart, missing three or more periods in row, and menstrual flow thats much heavier or lighter than usual. 1. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. What Causes Period Cramps So Bad You Cant Move? Can fighting an infection delay your period? In other words, the hormonal changes around your period might bring upon BV, but there doesn't seem to be a link to that being the other way around. "Bacterial infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and sexually transmitted infections can cause the inside of your uterus to become inflamed and bleed," says Dr. Lara-Torre. Your period is still considered regular even if it varies slightly from cycle to cycle. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and other infections can cause irregular periods. There are many types of stress, including: Emotional stress caused by relationship problems, depression, or anxiety. Click here for an email preview. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Can a bacterial infection cause breakthrough bleeding? Most often we hear about yeast infections occurring vaginally, but you can actually get the same type of bacterial infection in your skin, nails, or mouth. 2 doctor answers 9 doctors weighed in. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. While BV may not actually change the hormonal fluctuations that cause your period, it is possible that the infections may cause uterine contractions and/or a bit of spotting and bleeding. Severe pain (cramping) during your period or between periods. When the body does not get enough calories, it cannot produce enough hormones to sustain the menstrual cycle. If we combine this information with your protected To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Here's the thing: Even if you had regular periods before, you may spontaneously develop PCOS for unknown reasons. The keto diet can also mess with leptin and luteinizing hormones associated with your period. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) CDC Fact Sheet: Detailed version. The treatment for irregular periods depends on the underlying cause. Periods that occur fewer than 21 days or more than 35 days apart. One study found that women who worked rotating shifts were 23 percent more likely to have very short cycles (less than 21 days) or very long ones (40 days or more) than those who followed a more set schedule (even if they worked nights), reports the journal Epidemiology. Pain ranging from mild to severe in your lower abdomen and pelvis, Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant odor, Unusual bleeding from the vagina, especially during or after sex, or between periods, Nausea and vomiting, with an inability to keep anything down, Fever, with a temperature higher than 101 F (38.3 C), Being sexually active and younger than 25 years old, Being in a sexual relationship with someone who has more than one sex partner, Douching regularly, which upsets the balance of good versus harmful bacteria in the vagina and might mask symptoms, Having a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted infection.