Having Sex On Your Period: Benefits, Safety, Risks, And Tips

If you still wonder about having sex on your period, then you are far from alone. Many women experience vaginal pain or discomfort during menstruation. This can make you feel it’s hard to enjoy physical intimacy even with a loving partner. While you might not be in the mood to go out or do anything else during your period, that doesn’t mean sex is entirely off the table.

We’re all familiar with the typical symptoms of menstruation: cramping, bloating, mood swings. But there are often tidbits of information about menstruation that seem to fly under the radar. One of these tidbits is what sex during your period can be like. This article exposes the benefits, safety, risks, and tips for having sex on your Period.

To understand this, let’s quickly review exactly what happens during menstruation.

What Happens During Menstruation

When you menstruate, your body does what’s called shedding the lining of the uterus. This happens every month. For most women, this takes three or four days, but it can last longer for some women. 

The fluid released during menstruation is called menses, or menses blood. When you have your period, your body dumps the lining in your uterus. Menses blood comes out through the vagina. Some women have very light flows for only a few days, while others bleed heavily for as long as a week or more.

Can You Have Sex On Your Period

Women have been told many things about sex during their periods. There’s a lot of confusing and contradictory information out there. How do you know what’s true? 

To start with, one important thing to remember is that menstruation is a totally normal biological event. It happens to every woman in her lifetime, usually starting in her early teens and ends in her 40s.

The traditional and extremely negative view is that you’re unclean, sinister, and unloveable during your period. This is the very opposite of the femininity we associate with life and health.

There is no medical reason why you can’t have sex when you’re on your period. On average, you’re most likely to get pregnant in the seven days leading up to ovulation and on the day of ovulation itself. If anything, it can be an excellent time to experiment and try new things. Since the odds of getting pregnant and the anxiety about that or even just an unplanned pregnancy are quite low.

Benefits Of Having Sex On Your Period 

• Reduced chances of pregnancy 

A woman’s risk of getting pregnant during menstruation is extremely low (not impossible, but extremely low). Sex during your period may reduce the chances of getting pregnant because you are less likely to ovulate during menstruation. This is caused by the changes your body goes through during menstruation, where your hormone levels fluctuate.  

• It reduces period cramps.

Sex on your period is a natural way to relieve the discomforts of PMS. Including cramping and bloating. It helps in regulating menstrual flow and also helps to relieve menstrual pain. In addition, it alleviated the symptoms at this time of the month.

For many of us, menstrual cramps are an unavoidable monthly side effect of menstruation. Luckily for us, sex can be a tool for fighting off some of the discomforts during your period. Sex can help relieve cramps and even some of those monthly discomforts, such as headaches and backaches. Orgasm works wonders for menstrual symptoms if you’re lucky.

When women have orgasms during sex, the uterine walls contract, and release. The result is less cramping and more comfort. Additionally, you also release endorphins. These are chemicals that make you feel good and may distract your mind from the pain.

• Increased Sexual urge

A lot of women experience heightened sex drives when they’re menstruating. This might be due to diminished inhibitions during menstruation. Making you more open to pleasure and less worried about the consequences or potential for pregnancy. During menstruation, your body releases hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. It’s possible that these hormones increase libido by increasing blood flow to the genital tissue. 

Progesterone levels elevate to prepare your body for pregnancy if conception doesn’t occur during ovulation. However, it also triggers the feelings of horniness that precede your period.

• It serves as a natural lubricant. 

As a result of the blood, your vagina is naturally lubricated. This makes for less painful and more enjoyable sex with your partner.

 

But there can be a few risks.

Risks Involved 

It’s possible to get and pass on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during your period. HIV can live in body fluids, including menstrual blood. So, it is possible to contract HIV if you are exposed to the blood of someone who is HIV positive. Other than HIV/AIDS, other STIs like hepatitis can be contacted. Some STIs like herpes or syphilis live in blood and can also pass to another person through contact with menstrual blood.

Sexually transmitted infections are usually transferred in areas that are not protected by a condom when you are having intercourse on your period. Reduce the risk of disease for sex during menstruation by using a latex condom along with safe sex practices.

Another possible side effect is if you become upset by the appearance of messy sheets. 

 

On another note, ensure you take out your tampon before sex. Penetration with a tampon inside can cause toxic shock syndrome, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Should You Use Protection?

When you’re in a sexual relationship, you definitely need to use protection, except when married to a monogamous person. The best way to protect yourself from pregnancy is by using birth control. Additionally, if you decide to have sex, protect yourself, especially from STIs, also includes using condoms.

If you use protection, your partner won’t absorb all the hormones in your period blood. Using a condom can reduce the risk of STIs during menstruation. When you use condoms, not only are you getting some protection against pregnancy, but you’re also getting some partial protection against HIV.

How To Have Period Sex: Tips On Having Sex On Your Period

There’s nothing unhealthy or unsanitary about having sex on your period. For some women, soon after menstruation begins, sex may be uncomfortable.

Trying to make sex during that time of the month complicated and uncomfortable. As a result, women and men end up having sex less often, and their relationships suffer as a result. Regardless of how much flow you have, everything should be fine as long as you and your partner take reasonable precautions. 

Knowing the Do’s and Don’ts of Sex on your period can help you reclaim your periods experience.

 

• Talk about it with your partner. If you and your partner are concerned about the mess that menstruating makes, find a workable solution.
• Ensure that you both are comfortable with the whole idea. This would ensure that the process is a pleasant one. 
• The right sheets can cut down on the mess. If you want to have sex while you are menstruating, protect the mattress and the sheets with plain old plastic wrap.
• Another option is to try placing a towel underneath yourself. Lie down on your back on top of the towel. Your menstrual fluid will soak into the towel instead of your sheets.
• Ensure you do not forget to take out your tampon before sex. This can push it further into your vagina, making it difficult to take out. If this happens, call medical help for removal.
• Reduce your worries by using a menstrual cup. This reusable cup forms a suction seal, collects period flow, and is removed for emptying. It works very well during sex with no mess.
• Having sex in the shower also makes things better as it takes away all the worry of creating a mess.
• Regardless of the method used, you and your partner should shower immediately after sex.

FAQs About Having Sex On Your Period

Can You Get Pregnant if You Have Sex on Your Period?

Rarely. However, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get pregnant in some cases. Since ovulation happens just after your period, sperm can survive up to five days. Pregnancy could occur if the sperm reaches an egg. You can use a form of birth control like a condom or have a partner pull out in time (although not safe), if you’re worried about pregnancy. You can also track your periods with an app so you know when you’re most likely to get pregnant.

What is the risk of infection for sex during menstruation?

Sex does not have to be avoided during menstruation. Although, as a result of the blood and fluid presence during intercourse, there is a high risk. Just use protection and a barrier method to prevent fluid exchange.

Does having sex on your period make you bleed more?

Sexually active women seem to agree that sex increases bleeding for the first time in their cycles. You may notice more blood than expected, even if your period is fairly light. For heavier flows, it can be less messy to just put a towel down on the bed first.

Does sex help with cramps?

Many women experience severe menstrual cramps, which can make it difficult to get through the day. While there is no cure for cramps, orgasms through sex alleviate symptoms and increase comfort.

Is period sex bad?

Not at all! In theory, the idea is a real turn-off. In practice, however, it can be a great way to spice up a relationship. It is even said to have some health benefits.

Can period blood harm a man?

No. Period blood can’t harm a man who comes into contact with it unless you have a vaginal infection that you’re not aware of. Blood from a healthy female partner can’t transmit STDs.

How do guys feel about period sex?

Many guys are afraid this time of the month is going to ruin sex. However, this is mostly because they feel like their partners may not be comfortable with the idea. Once you can make them feel you’re okay with the process, sex would be a great experience.

Final Takeaway 

Many women have the impression that sex during menstruation is strictly prohibited. As mentioned in the article, this is actually not correct. It is actually one of the best times to have sex with your partner. For most women, knowing when their period is coming gives them a heads-up to prepare for it before it starts. There’s also the benefit of knowing exactly when you’ll be safe and fertile.

Sex during a period is generally safe, and it can be a great way to relieve menstrual pain and cramps. As long as you’ve had a recent Pelvic examination and your health care provider gives the go-ahead. This way, there’s no reason not to have sex during your period if you feel like it.