Do Periods Make You Pee More? Why Your Period May Be Affecting Your Bathroom Breaks

Jessica Lubahn 7 min read

Do Periods Make You Pee More? Why Your Period May Be Affecting Your Bathroom Breaks

Periods are annoying enough as it is but add to that the sudden urge to pee more frequently, and you feel like you’re spending a week in the restroom.

You’re among the many women asking themselves, “Why do I pee so much on my period, anyway?!?

We share insight into why you may be peeing more during your period and what you can do about it. 

Table of Contents

 

why do i pee so much on my period

Do You Pee More on Your Period? 

For some women, peeing a lot during their period is an expected nuisance, while others may not experience this symptom. Some women may even find themselves peeing two to three times more than usual.

On top of worrying about a leaky tampon or soaked pad, women also have to consider urinary leakage during their periods.

But you don’t have to let it get you down. ONDRwear has developed the most absorbent leak-proof underwear in various styles and sizes to suit every woman. 

Forget the stress of wondering if your tampon will hold up until the end of a busy school day or if that sneeze during a work meeting caused a little pee to come out — ONDRwear has you covered.

peeing a lot during period

Is Peeing More During Your Period Normal? 

Peeing more frequently during your period isn’t usually something to be concerned about. If it happens every month, then it’s most likely a normal symptom caused by hormones, water retention, or stress. 

However, if you’ve never experienced the urge to urinate often during your period and suddenly you find yourself running to the bathroom more often, you may want to check with your doctor to ensure you don’t have a urinary tract infection, STI, or any other issues unrelated to menstruation.

4 Reasons You May Feel the Urge to Pee More Frequently During Your Period

In addition to changing your pad or tampon, you’re adding even more trips to the bathroom to relieve yourself. 

But why? 

What causes this sudden urge to pee while on your period? 

#1: Hormonal Changes

One word: hormones. The hormone responsible for all that fun bloating you experience before and during your period could also be the reason you’re peeing so darn much. 

As your cycle comes to an end — before your period starts — your progesterone and estrogen levels increase, causing increased fluid retention. More fluid means more pee; it’s as simple as that.

So even before you start to menstruate, your body starts retaining extra fluids that will need to go somewhere once your period starts!

#2: Release of Retained Water

Every month, your progesterone levels will drop to trigger your period. As a result of this drop in the hormone, your body releases all the water you’ve been retaining. 

How?

You guessed it — through urination. So, if you find yourself bloated every month, it’s quite likely you’re also urinating more frequently while on your period.

#3: Pressure on Your Bladder

Do you often feel the urge to pee but then hardly anything comes out when you sit on the toilet? This is because of pressure on your bladder.

Contractions, felt as period cramps, place pressure on your bladder, making you feel the urge to pee, even when there’s not much there. 

Additionally, certain period products can alter the intra-abdominal pressure, which can change the body’s ability to adapt, causing the muscles to be: 

a.) Hypertonic - unable to properly relax and remain in a state of constant contraction

b.) Hypotonic - unable to produce a contraction at all

If you’re only leaking when using a menstrual cup or a tampon, you should speak to your doctor or gynecologist about the possibility of stress incontinence

#4: Stress Response

Stress is real, especially during PMS and menstruation. 

Cramps, body pain, lack of motivation… These are all symptoms that can cause women to feel extra stress during their period.

Stress can cause the bladder and gastrointestinal tract to act up, causing enhanced urinary urgency and frequency, known as an overactive bladder (OAB). OAB can be exacerbated during menstruation for various reasons.

Sounds like a vicious cycle, doesn’t it?

Reducing stress by taking the time to relax and engage in self-care practices during menstruation can help reduce the symptoms of OAB. This may include practicing yoga and meditation or regularly exercising your pelvic floor muscles.

For some women, peace of mind knowing they’re protected from leakage may be enough. ONDRwear leak-proof underwear takes the stress out of having your period in social situations.

Whether you use ONDRwear as your main source of period protection — or you wear it as a backup to your tampon — knowing you’re protected gives you freedom to enjoy life worry-free.

why do I have to pee more on my period

When Should You Be Concerned About Peeing More on Your Period?

If urgency and frequency of urination are starting to interrupt your day-to-day, then you may want to speak to your doctor. 

It’s possible there may be another cause of your overactive bladder, such as:

  • Urinary tract infection - UTIs not only cause frequent urination, but you may also feel burning as you pee and the constant feeling of needing to pee, even after relieving yourself.
  • Sexually transmitted infections - STIs, such as … 
    • Chlamydia
    • Gonorrhea 
    • Trichomoniasis; and
    • Herpes 

… can mimic the symptoms of a UTI, making it difficult to distinguish between them. 

  • Yeast infection - Yeast infections are known to increase the frequency in which you need to pee and may cause a burning sensation while urinating. 

Some other less common causes of frequent or urgent urination include:

  • Kidney stones
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Bladder cancer
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Uterine prolapse
  • Incontinence; and
  • Some medications

In addition to frequency or urgency, if you’re experiencing any other symptoms, such as …

  • Blood in your urine
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Painful urination
  • Excess thirst
  • Blurred vision
  • Fever or chills
  • Redness or swelling in the vulva area
  • Vaginal pain
  • Thick, clumpy, or foul-smelling discharge
  • Or any other unusual symptoms

… you should speak to your doctor right away. 

What You Can Do to Lessen the Urge to Pee More During Your Period

If you pee more during your period, it’s most likely caused by hormone fluctuations. In this case, most women simply have to ride it out. 

You can ease your discomfort by: 

You can also actively reduce your stress levels before, during, and after menstruation. Less anxiety overall will help decrease the possibility of an overactive bladder during your period.

why do I pee so much on my period

Can Your Period Cause Incontinence? 

Hormonal changes and stress are the two most common causes of incontinence while on your period. However, if you’re experiencing ongoing incontinence, it may not be related to menstruation at all, and you’re definitely not alone.

Urinary incontinence is more common in women than it is in men, with approximately 60% of women over 18 experiencing episodes of involuntary urinary leaking.  

Understanding the cause of your incontinence is the first step to addressing the issue. 

Fighting the Urge to Pee More During Your Period? ONDRwear Offers All-Day Comfort and Protection

Running to the bathroom over and over is no fun, especially with the worry that your tampon — or bladder — may be leaking!

Whether it’s period-related or not, ONDRwear leak-proof underwear offers women a stylish and dignified way to take control of potential urinary or menstrual leakage.

ONDRwear is your solution for …

  • Discreet
  • Odor-free
  • Comfortable
  • Eco-friendly; and
  • Durable

… leak-proof underwear for those experiencing urge or frequency incontinence during menstruation.

Protect yourself from leaking and feel confident while wearing ONDRwear.

why do i pee so much on my period

BACK TO Blog