Have you ever heard someone say that period blood is dirty and people should never have sex during their periods?
If you have, did that make you stop and ask yourself;
Is having sex while on your period really that bad?
If it was, your libido wouldn’t be shooting through the roof while you lay in bed all day, needing some TLC and maybe a little more during your period.
Arousal is different for every woman, and some may be too distracted by their period and its annoyances to get in the mood for sex. For others, menstruation could actually be a turn-on.
But can you have sex on your period?
Technically, you can. In this post, I will be busting the myth of period sex being bad and show you how to have sex on your period safely. Having sex on your period can actually offer a few advantages, including relief from menstrual cramps and improve those dreaded period blues.
One issue is that having sex while on your period can become a bit messy; it is always a good idea to be prepared!
So how should you do it?
Let’s start from the beginning.
Table of Contents
What Happens If You Have Sex On Your Period?
Having sex on the first day of a menstrual period can be uncomfortable, especially if you are getting strong and painful cramps.
Your estrogen and testosterone are low on day one of your cycle, so from that point of view, it is a bit unlikely that you will feel aroused or willing to play.
But these start to rise by day three and some women report they feel more aroused and even more sensitive around this time of the cycle.
Having sex on your period offers a few advantages that are difficult to turn your head away from. Here are some of them:
1. Relief from menstrual cramps.
When we have menstrual pain, we usually tend to reach for our painkillers.
But we seem to be underestimating an even better and more pleasurable way to relieve us from this annoying pain – having an orgasm.
When you orgasm, the muscles of your uterus contract at first, and then they release. That release often brings relief from period cramps for some time.
Moreover, while you are having an orgasm, your brain releases chemicals called endorphins, which can be thanked for the overwhelming feeling of pleasure.
Another big plus is occupying your mind and forgetting about the pain for some time. When you engage in sexual activity, your mind drifts away from even registering the pain caused by cramps.
Who even has the time to think of cramps while having sex, right?
2. Natural lubrication.
When you have period sex, blood acts as a natural lubricant to make the act even more enjoyable.
While many women don’t naturally produce enough lubrication for various reasons, having sex while on your period can take care of the extra fluid to make things glide with ease, leading us to the next advantage.
3. More enjoyable sex.
For many women, having sex during a period can be even more pleasurable than having sex at other times of the month.
This can be due to the spike in your libido due to hormonal fluctuations or simply because of the extra lubrication provided.
4. It can significantly reduce headaches and chronic migraines.
A team of neurologists found that sex can lead to partial or complete relief of headache in some migraines during a menstrual cycle.
The study originates from the University of Munster, Germany, and has been reported in Cephalalgia, the journal of the International Headache Society.
So instead of using a sore head or your period as an excuse to refuse sex, making love can be more effective than painkillers in some instances.
Worth a try if you’re asking me.
5. It can reduce stress.
As a result of the spike in endorphin-release, sex can prevent increases in blood pressure and relieve stress. Sex and intimacy can boost your self-esteem and happiness too.
We approve of sex becoming a prescription of pain-relief during a menstrual cycle.
6. Improves your sleep.
Your body releases the hormone prolactin shortly after having an orgasm, which can make you feel sleepy and have you relaxed within seconds after a satisfying session with your partner.
But it only gets better.
As a result of getting enough rest, this can improve your sexual response and may increase the chance of regularly engaging in sexual activity.
Researches discovered that when women slept for longer periods of time, they reported greater sexual desire the next day.
Which is yet another reason to help the annoying period blues, right?
What Are The Disadvantages Of Having Period Sex?
Although having sex while on your period comes with many upsides, there are also a few things you should watch out for. Here are some of them:
1. It can be messy.
When you have sex on your period, things can get quite messy. Do not exclude the possibility of most likely getting blood on you, your partner, and the sheets.
This can be troubling if you have a heavy flow and take all the fun out of sex.
2. Increased risk of STIs.
Another worry about having sex during your period is the increased risk of spreading a sexually transmitted infection like HIV, or hepatitis.
These viruses live in the blood, and they can spread through contact with infected menstrual blood.
For this reason, doctors strongly recommend and encourage using a condom to protect yourself and your partner and decrease the risk of possibly spreading infections.
3. Period blood can have an unpleasant smell.
Yup. It can be smelly.
Although in the heat of the moment, you may not be focusing on the smell, and your partner may be unbothered too, but you still need to be prepared and not surprised if it happens.
4. Your period is not a free pass to have unsafe sex.
If you aren’t actively trying to conceive, using protection during sex, even while on your period, is a good idea.
Your odds of conceiving are significantly lower, but it is not impossible to become pregnant at this time.
3 Tips for Having Sex While on Your Period
Here are a few useful tips to make period sex a more comfortable experience:
1. Be open and honest with your partner.
Tell them exactly how you feel about having sex during your period, and discuss how they feel about it.
If either of you is hesitant to try, talk about the reasons behind the existing discomfort or postpone the intercourse.
2. Dark-colored towels can come in handy.
Spreading a dark-colored towel on the bed can catch any blood leaks and can easily be washed without leaving any stains behind.
Having sex in the missionary position can also limit blood flow, as can having sex toward the end of your period when the blood flow is lighter.
3. Don’t forget to remove your tampon.
Don’t forget to remove your tampon before the intercourse, as it can contribute to some pretty painful sensation that may later require medical attention to be removed.
Or if you’re not into intercourse during your period, there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy other sexual encounters by keeping your tampon and preventing a mega-mess on your bedsheets.
You can still please your partner with manual or oral stimulation, and they can do the same for you.
Does Your Period Stop When You Have Sex?
Your period won’t end as soon as you have sex, but sex can actually make your periods shorter.
This is due to the muscle contractions that happen during an orgasm and allow for the uterine contents to be pushed out faster than it would on its own.
That being said, don’t expect your period to last for one day, but both the flow and length may be significantly reduced.
Sex Toys Couples Can Use While She’s On Her Period
When choosing to buy sex toys that can spice up your sex life even on the days of your period, you should always opt for body-safe materials.
Silicone, stainless steel, and glass toys should be the top three types of material you should go for.
These can be cleaned and sterilized correctly to avoid a buildup of bacteria and blood stains or residues whenever you reach for them in the future.
