Can STIs affect your period?

There are many factors that can affect and disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle. One rarely-discussed factor that can affect your period is an STI.

Read on to find out how your period might be affected by an STI you may not know you have.

STIs can affect many aspects of your overall health. Protect yourself with a comprehensive health screen at a clinic near you.

What are STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that you get primarily from sex. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, but it can also include things like foreplay, genital touching, and sharing sex toys.

These bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections easily go undetected since most infections don’t cause symptoms. You can have an infection like Chlamydia or HIV for weeks, months, or even years and not know it.

When they go untreated, STIs can cause serious damage to your health. Depending on the infections, they can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancies, cause damage to major organ systems like the heart, liver, brain, eyes, and bones, and raise your risk of getting certain cancers.

STIs can also affect your health in other ways, causing changes to systems that you may not expect.

One of these ways is how they can affect your menstrual cycle.

How does my period work?

Menstruation, commonly known as a period, is a natural process that occurs in the female reproductive system. It involves the shedding of the uterine lining, which exits the body through the vagina.

This cycle typically lasts between 24 and 38 days, with menstruation lasting from three to seven days. Hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone regulate the menstrual cycle, which prepares the body for potential pregnancy each month.

 If fertilisation does not occur, the thickened uterine lining is no longer needed and is expelled during menstruation.

What STIs can affect my period?

As you can imagine, many STIs can affect your period.

HIV

HIV can significantly impact a woman’s menstrual cycle due to its effects on the immune system and overall health. The virus can cause hormonal imbalances that disrupt the regularity of menstrual periods.

Women living with HIV may experience irregular periods, heavier or lighter bleeding, and increased menstrual pain. In some cases, HIV can lead to amenorrhea, which is the absence of menstrual periods. These changes are often linked to the body’s response to the infection and the stress it places on the immune system.

Additionally, the medications used to manage HIV can have side effects that affect the menstrual cycle. Some antiretroviral drugs may cause hormonal fluctuations, leading to irregular periods or changes in menstrual flow.

The overall health challenges associated with managing HIV, such as stress, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies, can further contribute to menstrual irregularities.

Syphilis

Syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, can have various effects on a woman’s menstrual cycle, particularly if left untreated.

The infection progresses through different stages—primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary—each with distinct symptoms. During the secondary stage, Syphilis can cause symptoms such as skin rashes, swollen lymph glands, and mucous membrane lesions. These symptoms can lead to increased stress and hormonal imbalances, which may disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing irregular periods or changes in menstrual flow.

In the later stages, untreated Syphilis can cause severe health complications that further impact menstrual health. For instance, the infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause irregular periods, heavier bleeding, and increased menstrual pain.

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

Hepatitis B can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle primarily through its impact on liver function.

The liver plays a crucial role in metabolising hormones, including those that regulate the menstrual cycle. When the liver is inflamed or damaged due to Hepatitis B, it can lead to hormonal imbalances that disrupt the regularity of menstrual periods.

Hepatitis C similarly affects the menstrual cycle by disrupting liver function and hormone regulation.

The liver is essential for processing oestrogen and progesterone, the hormones that control the menstrual cycle. Women with Hepatitis C may experience irregular periods, missed periods, or changes in menstrual flow. The chronic nature of Hepatitis C can lead to significant liver damage over time, exacerbating these menstrual irregularities.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia, a common STI caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, can have various effects on a woman’s menstrual cycle.

While Chlamydia itself may not directly cause changes in the timing of periods, it can lead to complications that disrupt menstrual regularity. One of the primary concerns is the development of PID, which occurs when the infection spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. PID can cause irregular periods, heavier menstrual bleeding, and increased menstrual pain. Additionally, chlamydia can lead to intermenstrual bleeding, which is bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can significantly impact a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Gonorrhoea can also lead to PID if left untreated, causing irregular periods, heavier menstrual bleeding, and increased menstrual pain. Gonorrhoea can also result in intermenstrual bleeding, which is bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods. The inflammation and damage caused by the infection can disrupt the normal functioning of the reproductive organs, leading to these menstrual irregularities.

Trichomonas

Trichomonas, caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle in several ways.

This infection often leads to symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning, and a foul-smelling discharge, which can cause discomfort and irritation. These symptoms can be particularly bothersome during menstruation, potentially exacerbating menstrual pain and discomfort. Additionally, Trichomonas can cause inflammation of the genital tract, which may lead to irregular bleeding or spotting between periods.

Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) is another bacterial STI that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle.

The inflammation and irritation caused by Mgen can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle, resulting in irregular periods or spotting between periods. Additionally, the infection can cause PID if it spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, further affecting menstrual regularity and causing increased menstrual pain.

Bacterial vaginosis

While it isn’t technically considered an STI, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance in the natural bacteria found in the vagina.

While BV does not directly affect the menstrual cycle, it can cause symptoms that may be more noticeable during menstruation. For instance, the hormonal changes and the slightly alkaline nature of menstrual blood can exacerbate BV symptoms, leading to increased vaginal discharge and a stronger odour. These symptoms can make menstruation more uncomfortable and may be mistaken for changes in menstrual flow.

Additionally, BV can disrupt the vaginal environment, making it more susceptible to other infections that could impact menstrual health. Although BV itself does not cause late periods, the associated hormonal imbalances and increased risk of other infections can lead to menstrual irregularities.

Am I more likely to get an STI during my period?

If you’re having sex without a condom during your period, you may be putting yourself at risk of getting an STI. You may also be at risk of getting or passing on blood-borne STIs, like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

People who report having sex during their period were more likely to report having a history of STIs. Also, changes during your menstrual cycle may make it harder for your immune system to fight infections.

What else might cause period changes?

Here are some factors that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle that aren’t related to STIs:

1. Stress: High levels of stress can disrupt the hormonal balance, leading to irregular periods or missed periods.
2. Diet and nutrition: Poor diet or sudden changes in eating habits can affect menstrual cycles. Nutrient deficiencies, such as low iron or magnesium, can contribute to irregularities.
3. Exercise: Excessive physical activity or sudden changes in exercise routines can impact menstrual regularity.
4. Weight changes: Significant weight loss or gain can affect hormone levels and disrupt the menstrual cycle.
5. Thyroid disorders: Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can cause menstrual irregularities.
6. Travel: Changes in time zones and routines can temporarily affect the menstrual cycle.
7. Sleep: Poor sleep patterns or changes in sleep routines can impact hormonal balance and menstrual regularity.

Final thoughts

If you’re concerned that an STI is disrupting your menstrual cycle, you should get tested. Click the button below to book an STI test at a sexual health clinic near you.  

Don’t leave your sexual health to chance. Get tested with Better2Know today.