Did You Know: STIs Can Aggravate PMS Symptoms?

There are a number of reasons your PMS symptoms could worsen, but one that’s rarely considered is an undiagnosed STI. No one likes to think about STIs, but if you have been experiencing worse PMS symptoms recently, getting checked for a sexually transmitted infection could help to diagnose an unknown issue and treat the underlying problem. Here’s everything you need to know about how STIs can affect PMS symptoms.

Remind me again, what are the typical PMS symptoms?

Everyone experiences totally different symptoms, sometimes from month to month, but the most common symptoms are mood swings, headaches, anxiety, sleep issues, acne, bloating, breast tenderness, and changes in appetite or sex drive. If you’re thinking ‘huh… my PMS symptoms have been getting much worse recently…’, then ruling out an STI could be your first action step.  

Why do STIs affect PMS?

A study from Oxford University found that people who menstruate and have an undiagnosed sexually transmitted infection may be more likely to experience negative PMS symptoms. Many STIs are not detected because the person has no symptoms (for example, 70% of people with chlamydia don’t know they have it - yikes!), so it can be difficult to treat them. 

Some of the variables in the study included their age, whether or not the subject was infected, what phase of their cycle they were in, how long their cycle lasts, and whether they take medication, vitamins, or hormonal contraception. It’s clear from the study that STIs can aggravate PMS, but why? The review suggests this could be due to inflammation, the intensity of which depends on the phase of the subject’s cycle, and the risk of infection.

“Inflammation has a physiological cost on your body, and uses up a lot of energy that would otherwise support other functions... a particularly strong inflammatory state as [the period] approaches (menstruation is understood as an acute inflammatory event), it is likely that [there will be] less energy to produce serotonin - an emotional leveller.” - Dr Alexandra Alvergne, lead author and Associate Professor of Anthropology at Oxford University

In addition, lots of STIs - if left untreated - could eventually progress to become pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause longer term damage, exacerbate PMS symptoms, and in some cases lead to irregular or missed periods and fertility issues. 

Which STIs cause problems for PMS? 

According to the Oxford University study, before receiving a diagnosis, those with an STI such as chlamydia, herpes or human papillomavirus (HPV) were more than twice as likely to report increased symptoms like headaches, cramps and feelings of sadness as they approach the end of their cycle, and they could also feel more sensitive throughout. Though these infections are mentioned in the study, other STIs can cause symptoms similar to that of PMS, and could also exacerbate your monthly cycle. 

What can I do about it? 

When it comes to STIs, if you are in any doubt about your infection status, experiencing direct symptoms of an STI, or you have had unprotected sex after your last STI check-up, don’t delay - get tested! Similarly, if your PMS symptoms have gotten worse recently and you don’t know why, get tested to rule out any underlying infections.  

There are a number of resources anyone in the UK can use to get tested for free, and though it’s not the most fun afternoon out you’ll ever have, you should never be embarrassed to get tested. Your sexual health is important, and these services exist to help ensure it’s all good under the hood. If you are particularly worried about going, call ahead and let a practitioner know so they can do everything possible to make you feel comfortable. 

If you do have an STI, they will also recommend treatment options, and even help with telling any sexual partners to get checked (this can be done anonymously).  

How do I get checked for STIs?

It’s really easy to find your local STI clinic (or one that’s far away, if you’d rather not bump into anyone local!) on the NHS website at this link, and you can get tested at any time (including while on your period). Mostly the tests will involve giving a urine sample, or swabs of your vagina, both of which you can do in private and hand them back. Sometimes an examination of your genitals or a blood sample may be required, and clinics will usually test for a number of different infections at once. 

If you can’t face the idea of going to a clinic, or your symptoms are too intense to leave the house, you can order free at-home tests through services like SH24, send samples away, and receive results, recommendations and next steps straight to your phone. 

Have your PMS symptoms been aggravated by an STI? Our community members are always comparing notes about all things periods and sexual health over on the Full Stop FB group, or if you have a question you’d like answered in the privacy of our DMs, head over to our Instagram at @itsyoppie. Don't forget that our personalised menstrual care subscription can get organic tampons, PMS supplements and much more delivered easily and regularly through your letterbox, to take one worry off your mind each cycle.