A common misconception suggests that the natural flow of menstruation might cleanse or flush out a urinary tract infection (UTI). This idea stems from the belief that the increased fluid volume could wash away the bacteria causing the infection. While both conditions involve the lower pelvic region, they are distinct processes affecting separate bodily systems. Menstruation involves the reproductive tract and the shedding of the uterine lining, while a UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract.
Examining the “Flushing” Theory
The theory that a period could eliminate a UTI is based on the visible flow of menstrual blood acting as a physical cleansing agent. People assume the increased discharge and fluid volume passing through the vaginal opening could carry away the infectious bacteria. This reasoning overlooks the specific location of the infection within the urinary system.
The flushing mechanism that truly helps with a UTI involves consistently passing urine, which mechanically clears bacteria from the urethra. This misconception persists because UTI symptoms can sometimes be temporarily masked or confused with menstrual discomfort, leading to the false impression that the infection has resolved.
The Source of the Infection
The definitive reason menstruation cannot cure a UTI lies in the distinct and separate anatomy of the female urinary and reproductive systems. The urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys, is where the infection resides. Most UTIs are lower tract infections, primarily located in the urethra and the bladder.
Menstrual blood originates from the uterus and exits the body through the vagina. The urinary tract and the reproductive tract have separate openings and are not directly connected internally. Therefore, menstrual flow does not pass through or cleanse the bladder or the urethra where the bacteria are multiplying.
The only fluid that can flush the urinary tract is urine, which is produced by the kidneys. Increasing water intake helps to increase urine production, creating a physical force that helps expel bacteria from the bladder and urethra. Menstrual flow, with its different origin and pathway, simply cannot reach the infection site to eliminate the bacteria.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
Ignoring a UTI in the hope that menstruation will clear it poses a health risk because the bacterial infection will continue to multiply. An untreated infection can progress upward from the bladder to the kidneys, leading to pyelonephritis, or a kidney infection. Pyelonephritis can cause symptoms like high fever, chills, nausea, and pain in the back or side.
A kidney infection can result in permanent kidney damage and may enter the bloodstream, causing sepsis. Because of these potential complications, seeking prompt medical consultation is necessary for a definitive diagnosis and prescription.
The standard treatment for a bacterial UTI is a course of antibiotics, which directly target and eliminate the bacteria. While over-the-counter pain relievers can temporarily ease the burning sensation and discomfort, they do not treat the underlying infection. It is important to finish the entire course of antibiotics prescribed, even if symptoms begin to improve, to ensure the infection is completely eradicated and to prevent antibiotic resistance.