Does having your period also seem to mean peeing way more than usual? If you don’t deal with this side effect, perhaps you have a friend or family member that swears they have to take more bathroom breaks when they’re menstruating.
According to Amy Roskin, MD, JD, a board-certified ob-gyn and The Pill Club‘s chief medical officer, peeing more while menstruating is an occurrence that some people notice and others don’t.
So what causes this increased need to urinate for some? It might have something to do with another period-related symptom.
“If you tend to feel bloated or retain water due to hormonal changes (elevated progesterone levels) before your period, you may notice this resolving by peeing more on your period,” Dr. Roskin explained.
By the way, your period can influence other toilet habits as well. As Dr. Roskin explained, chemicals released during your period called prostaglandins can cause muscles in the intestines to contract, which can then lead to more frequent bowel movements.
While frequent urination can be tied to your period, it’s important to note that it can also be a sign of more serious health conditions that shouldn’t be ignored.
“If frequent urination is only occurring during your period, this decreases the chances of it being a different health issue,” Dr. Roskin said. “If you notice it at other times, you should check with your doctor. Sometimes UTIs can cause frequent urination. In other situations, vaginal inflammation, vaginitis, or other vaginal or even sexually transmitted infections can cause this symptom.”
So, again, if you notice any change in your bathroom behavior (or body in general), don’t hesitate to bring it up with your healthcare provider.
