TW gross/periods etc-why do my 'period knicks' smell of ammonia/urine?

[NCSue87]

I am new to using 'period pants'. I've noticed if I wear them over night or for a long time, I notice that when I go to change them they smell of pee!
I've never had an incontinence issue-I've had the opposite (after a bad vaginal trauma/kidney infection by body did not know when I needed a wee but this meant I sometimes went for far longer than I should, there wasn't ever any leakage or me weeing myself at all and this was some years ago now).

I've never given birth.
Never noticed anything like this when I used sanitary towels.
Just a bit disconcerting?

I’d guess it is due to hormonal changes and the fact that the pelvic area is more relaxed to allow menstruation. The period pants don’t breath either which may exacerbate the smell. I’ve noticed it too.

Thank you-that makes a lot of sense.I was worried I had randomly began peeing myself in my sleep but only when wearing certain knicks and that would be worrying. I am glad it isn't just me!

I don’t use period knickers but I do notice an ‘ammonia’ smell. Glad it’s not just me.