Is Frequent Urination During Periods Normal?

If this sounds like your monthly reality, you’re not alone. Frequent urination before period and during is a thing, and spoiler alert: it's not because your bladder has a personal vendetta against you. Let’s dive into the whys, the whens, and how do I make this pee stop during your period.

First Things First: Is It Normal To Pee A Lot On Your Period?

Frequent urination before period—or even smack dab in the middle of it—is common. Many people report hitting the bathroom more than usual around that time of the month. It’s all part of the menstrual magic (read: hormonal chaos) your body goes through.

Why Do I Pee So Often During Periods?

Here’s where the plot thickens—or rather, flows faster:

1. Hormonal Fluctuations Are Stirring Up Drama 

Around your period, estrogen and progesterone (those two hormonal BFFs who sometimes act like frenemies) are on a rollercoaster ride. This hormonal dip can mess with how your kidneys process fluids, which can lead to—you guessed it—frequent peeing during your period.

2. Your Uterus Is Bloated And Pushing On Your Bladder 

Ever feel like your lower abdomen is auditioning for a balloon animal contest? That’s bloating. Bloating and frequent urination before period are often linked because the swelling uterus ends up pressing against the bladder. More pressure on the bladder = more trips to the loo.

3. Prostaglandins Are Doing Their Thing 

These hormone-like compounds help your uterus contract (a.k.a cramp like it’s trying to fold in on itself). But prostaglandins can also cause increased sensitivity in nearby organs, like your bladder. More sensitivity = more urgency = more awkward bathroom sprints.

4. Bladder Incontinence During Period 

If you’re leaking a little when you laugh, cough, or sneeze during your period, it could be bladder incontinence during your period. That doesn’t mean you’ve lost control—just that your pelvic floor muscles might be a bit weakened or your bladder is reacting to the hormonal fiesta.

5. Bladder Endometriosis (Yep, It’s A Thing) 

Here’s a curveball: some people with endometriosis have it on their bladder. This rare but real condition, called Bladder Endometriosis, can cause pain when peeing, blood in the urine, or—you guessed it again—frequent urination. It’s worth speaking to a healthcare provider if the frequent peeing is paired with pain or other unusual symptoms.

Okay, But How Many Times Should I Pee In A 12-Hour Period?

On average, most people urinate 4 to 7 times in 12 hours. If you’re guzzling water like it’s a sport, expect that number to creep up. But if you're going 10+ times and it's interfering with your daily life, it's worth chatting with your doctor—especially if it's accompanied by burning, urgency, or pain.

How To Stop Frequent Urination During Your Period?

Look, we can’t exactly negotiate with our hormones (although wouldn't that be nice?), but here are a few things you can do:

1. Limit Caffeine And Alcohol 

Both are diuretics which means that they make you pee more. Cutting back around your period might help you avoid extra bathroom breaks.

2. Hydrate—But Don’t Overdo It 

Yes, you need water. No, you don’t need to sip like you’re prepping for a camel race. Balance is key.

3. Watch Your Salt Intake 

Too much salt = more bloating = more bladder pressure. Your chips might be betraying you. 

4. Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor 

Cue the Kegels. These simple clench-and-hold exercises can help tone your pelvic floor and reduce leaks. 

5. Track Your Symptoms 

A period tracker app or even a good old journal can help you figure out if your frequent urination is PMS, period-related, or something else entirely. 

Is Increased Urination PMS Or Pregnancy?

Ah, the age-old confusion.

Increased urination can be a sign of both. Before your period, hormonal fluctuations (hello again, estrogen and progesterone) may cause frequent peeing. But it’s also one of the earliest signs of pregnancy due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the kidneys.

So, how do you tell the difference?

• If you're also feeling bloated, moody, and your breasts hurt? Could be PMS.
• If you’ve missed your period and suddenly need to pee a lot? Time to take a pregnancy test.

What Are The Signs That Your Period Is Coming (Besides Peeing Every 10 Minutes)?

Because, yes, your body does like to drop hints.

Common Pre-Period Signs Include:

• Bloating (hi, old friend)
• Mood swings or irritability
• Cramps
• Breast tenderness
• Fatigue
• Food cravings (hello, carbs)
• Headaches
• Frequent urination (yep, her again)

Basically, if you’re swinging between crying at puppy videos and peeing every hour—you’re probably about to start your period.

Could It Be Something More Serious?

We hate to be alarmist, but if your frequent urination comes with burning, cloudy urine, pelvic pain, or blood (that’s not from your period), it’s time to see a doctor. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), interstitial cystitis, and bladder endometriosis are all legit possibilities and deserve medical attention.

Also, if you’re peeing a lot and not on your period, or if this is happening outside your usual PMS window, consider it a sign to check in with a healthcare provider.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Run To The Loo Yet?)

• Peeing more before and during your period is totally normal, thanks to hormonal fluctuations, bloating, and prostaglandins.
  You should normally pee 4–7 times in 12 hours, but this may go up during your cycle.
• Bloating and frequent urination before period go hand in hand.
• Bladder incontinence during period or Bladder Endometriosis could be the culprit if things feel a bit off.
• It's worth tracking your symptoms and seeing a doctor if frequent urination is disruptive or painful.
• And no, your bladder isn’t out to get you—it’s just reacting to the hormonal circus your body is hosting.

The Bathroom Isn’t Your Enemy (But Maybe Pack An Extra Snack)

So next time you find yourself sprinting to the toilet every hour on the hour while bleeding like a moody Shakespearean heroine, just know: it’s your hormones, not a betrayal by your bladder.

Give your body some grace, hydrate wisely, and maybe avoid that third cup of coffee. And if anything feels off? Trust your gut (and your bladder) and get it checked.

Because the only thing worse than period cramps is peeing your pants while having them.