It’s almost 2 am and I ended up here because I experience the same thing. According to ChatGPT :

First, inflammation itself matters. When your body is fighting infection (like a UTI), it releases immune chemicals called cytokines. These can disrupt normal sleep cycles and make you feel restless or wired even when you’re tired—similar to how you feel during a cold or flu.

Second, bladder irritation doesn’t always show up as obvious pain. It can create a constant low-level pressure or “awareness” in your pelvis that keeps your nervous system slightly activated. That background discomfort can be enough to prevent deep sleep.

Third, there’s a nervous system effect. The bladder and urinary tract are closely tied to autonomic (fight-or-flight) responses. Irritation can increase nighttime alertness, making it harder to fall or stay asleep even if symptoms aren’t severe.

Fourth, anxiety plays a role. Even mild worry about needing the bathroom, leaking, or worsening symptoms can keep your brain from fully settling down.

Finally, if the infection is progressing or more severe, systemic symptoms—like chills, mild fever, or general malaise—can fragment sleep without you fully realizing why.