Urine test and period

Urine tests in diagnostics

Let's start with the basics: what can we learn from a urine sample?

Performing a urine test is one of the basic steps in diagnosing diseases and disorders of the urinary system (and not only):

• Metabolic waste products (including toxins) are excreted from the body along with urine – examining the composition of excreted urine provides insight not only into the functioning of the kidneys, but also the liver .
• The detection of bacteria, parasites or fungal cells in urine may indicate a urinary tract infection.
• The presence of protein in the urine may indicate kidney disease (for example glomerulonephritis).
• Glycosuria (which is simply the presence of glucose in the urine) may indicate diabetes .

Normal urine

• It has a yellow (light, straw) color.
• It is transparent and clear.
• It is barren.
• It has an acidic pH.
• It is usually odorless, or may have a characteristic, slightly acidic odor.
• It does not contain parameters such as protein, glucose, bilirubin, nitrites and ketone bodies.
• It may contain (single in the field of vision) erythrocytes and leukocytes (i.e. red and white blood cells).

Any bacteria detected most often result from contamination of the urine sample or from their multiplication in the sample after it has been collected. Urine culture is used to determine bacteria in urine .

The detection of bacteria in urine in non-pregnant people who do not experience any unpleasant symptoms suggesting a urinary tract infection (so-called asymptomatic bacteriuria) does not require treatment, and in such a situation it is also not necessary to perform a culture (apart from exceptional situations, such as pregnancy or diagnostics before urological procedures).

How to prepare for a urine test?

• It is recommended to follow your standard diet and drink your usual amount of fluids .
• For 24 hours before urinating for testing, you should refrain from sexual intercourse , both in the case of men (due to the possible presence of sperm in the urine) and women (the female urethra is short: it is very easy to contaminate it, and it can also be damaged during intercourse, which may result in an increased number of certain parameters or bacteria in the urine. The possible presence of sperm in the vagina also increases the chance of sample contamination.).
• It is recommended to submit a urine sample from the first morning urination (after washing the intimate areas) .
• You should urinate into the container from the so-called mid-stream (i.e. after partially passing urine into the toilet).
• Urine should be taken to the lab at room temperature within a few hours – do not keep the container in the fridge !

Does menstruation affect the results of a urine test?

Menstruation may affect the results of a urine test.

During menstruation, along with urine, blood and uterine epithelial cells may be present in the sample prepared for testing, which will distort the results. Genital secretions may, among other things, contain small amounts of protein or distort the structure of urine.

How to provide a urine sample during menstruation?

There are situations where, despite bleeding, a urine test MUST be performed to diagnose various diseases or anomalies.

If you need to do a general urine test during your period, you should pay attention to hygiene when preparing the sample. It is important that it does not become excessively contaminated.

Step by step:

• Wash the area around the external urethral opening thoroughly, gently spreading the outer labia.

• To avoid contaminating the sample with vaginal secretions (not only during menstruation, but before every urine test) , try to cover the vaginal opening (you can use a sterile gauze pad for this purpose, for example).
• Next, no surprise – as I mentioned earlier, you should urinate from the mid-stream into the container.

Deliver the container with urine to the laboratory as soon as possible (preferably within one hour).

Inform your doctor that the sample was taken during menstrual bleeding . This fact should be taken into account when analyzing the results, but it may be necessary to repeat the test for preventive purposes after menstruation has stopped .

We also encourage you to read the articles: about the impact of COVID on menstruation and about the impact of vaccinations on menstruation .

Other tests and menstruation

The topic is certainly worth expanding on – but we won’t leave you without a short teaser.

Blood test during menstruation

If the blood test is scheduled during menstruation, you can still do it. Keep in mind that some biochemical or hematological parameters may fluctuate during menstruation. It is essential to inform your doctor that the blood was taken during menstruation so that he or she can interpret it correctly.

Preparation for blood tests for sex hormones is completely different – ​​your doctor will determine the appropriate day for testing based on your menstrual cycle and the purpose of the test.

Gynecological examinations

There are no health contraindications to having a palpation or even a vaginal ultrasound done at a gynecologist during menstruation. Bleeding can only make it more difficult to diagnose vaginal infections and inflammations – despite this, do not cancel your visit if it is provoked by worrying symptoms.

You can read more about this topic in our article: bacterial vaginosis .

A Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It is not recommended to do it during menstrual bleeding because the results may be unreliable (the presence of blood in the smear may "hide" any abnormal cells).

Important note : remember to always inform the doctor ordering the tests about your period. You will make sure whether the bleeding can affect the parameters and it would be better to postpone the tests or whether it is worth doing them anyway. The final decision is therefore made by the specialist. And don't be ashamed to ask questions - after all, it is about your health, and it is the MOST IMPORTANT!

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S. Makinoda, M. Mikuni, M. Sogame et al., Erythropoietin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 during the normal menstrual cycle , "International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics", 1996, vol. 55, i. 3, p. 265-271.
T. Nieszporek, Is protein in urine a cause for concern? , https://www.mp.pl/pacjent/nefrologia/lista/105628,czy-bialko-w-moczu-jest-powodem-do-spokoju [accessed 16/12/2021].
T. Nieszporek, Change in the smell of urine , https://www.mp.pl/pacjent/nefrologia/lista/96121,zmiana-zapachu-moczu [accessed on 16/12/2021].