Sex during menstruation – 5 secrets to the best period sex
Sex during menstruation
You’re horny as hell and all you can think of is getting it on with your partner. You’re planning a sexy surprise for when they get home – an intimate meal for two, their favourite film (even though you’ve watched it a gazillion times) accompanied by their favourite ice -cream. The meal’s cooking in the oven and you’re buzzing with the thought that they’ll be back soon, imagining how the evening’s going to play out. Then it happens…Aunt Flo comes to town and suddenly, that intimate night in you were planning, doesn’t seem so romantic after all! You got your period – typical! But hang on a roly mo – does sex during menstruation have to be a no?
If you’ re someone (like many people) who thinks that the arrival of “shark week” (don’t ask me why they call it that!) means you have to postpone everything between the sheets for the next week, then read on…
But sex during menstruation is messy!
Yes, I hear what you’re saying, and you’re right, to a point. But it needn’t be if you prepare in advance. A well-placed towel on the bed can protect your sheets from any spills and a pack of wet-wipes (bio of course) in the bedside drawer, can be handy for cleaning up afterwards.
Or why not have sex in the shower? This eliminates the need for cleaning up any leaks from period blood and can be pretty good if you have a shower which is roomy enough for the pair of you.
My partner doesn't like having period sex
I hear this a lot, but this is no consolation to you when your hormones are raging and all you can think about is getting busy with the object of your affection. While I do understand the reluctance that some have to coming in close contact with menstrual blood, there are ways to get around this. Let’s look into this further…
1) Period cups/menstrual cups for during oral sex
If you both like oral sex, but don’t do that during your period because of the blood – wearing a period cup is the perfect solution. The period cup is worn inside the vagina and covers the entrance to the cervix, so it collects all the blood for you. Your period flow doesn’t go anywhere near your clitoris or vulva, so this is the perfect way to still enjoy non-penetrative sex during menstruation. Even better, there’s no icky, bloodstained string to contend with (who really wants to give oral sex with that in the way?) like with a tampon. Oral sex while wearing a period cup means no mess, no smell, no problem!
A dental dam is also a great way to ensure you, or your partner, don’t come into contact with any period fluid during oral sex.
2) Period discs are a game changer when it comes to sex during menstruation!
Period discs (or menstrual discs) are another great solution to the “No sex during menstruation” dilemma. They are also inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix, but have a much higher capacity, which means they can hold a lot more fluid. A period disc can take a little time to get used to if you’re a beginner.
I would suggest having a practice at inserting one before you’re planning on getting down to business with your partner, so when the time comes, using the period disc will be second nature. Also, you can wear the period disc for up to 12 hours (like a period cup) so you can insert it before going out on a date or before going to work.
You can buy single- use period discs, (sold in multi-packs) and which you throw away after each use. Great for when you go on holiday!
Or a reusable menstrual disc, which will ultimately save you money and is more eco-friendly. No-one has ever complained about saving money!
The beauty about this amazing invention is that not only can you have oral sex during menstruation, but you can have full penetrative sex and your partner won’t come into contact with any blood or feel the disc. Genius or what! Period discs have been a complete game changer when it comes to period sex. They have enabled couples, who would usually have avoided sex during menstruation, to have intercourse no matter what the time of month. Problem solved!
3) Condoms - avoid contact with period blood
Seems obvious, but condoms are a great way to make it more comfortable and less messy when it comes to sex during menstruation. Even if you and your partner don’t normally use them, keeping a packet of condoms in your bedside drawer for when your period makes an entrance, would absolutely make sense. This way, you won’t have to wait a week when you’re totally in the mood for some couple time.
4) Sex toys
If you’re by yourself and wanting some satisfaction, how about treating yourself to a toy? This could be exactly what you need, especially if you’re experiencing excruciating period cramps and could do with some relief. Orgasms are an awesome way to soothe period pain (yes, honestly!) because they release oxytocin and dopamine, which help you feel ohhhh so good
15 years ago, I worked for a famous lingerie company and to be honest, even then, the range of toys available to women was pretty good, but boy have things changed since then! If you’re interested in indulging in a little self-play, there are some incredibly realistic toys currently on the market. Check out the current, number one bestseller toy for women, which is reported to be so realistic that you feel like you’re actually receiving oral sex…sound good? I’ll leave the link below…
Share the fun - couples toy play
Of course, sex toys don’t have to be just for self-pleasure. They’re a great way to enjoy sex during menstruation with your partner. If your other half really isn’t keen to have penetrative sex while you’re on your period, then sharing a toy or two, could be exactly what you need to relieve a little menstrual tension.
Using some toys for mutual stimulation could be perfect for you to use as you wait for your period to become lighter, or to end. You never know, you might like them so much that you decide to use them at other times of the month, not just during your periods!
5)Masturbation
During your period, blood flow to your genitals is increased, so you could be one of those lucky people who experience really strong orgasms when you have sex during menstruation.
When those period hormones are driving you crazy and there’s just nobody around to help scratch that itch, why not give yourself some self-love? No-one knows your body quite as well as you do, and self- masturbation has been proven to be good for your menstrual well-being.
According to Dr. Jolene Brighten, in her post; “Why orgasms are good for women and how to improve your libido”, “Orgasms can actually help with menstrual cramps! The release of oxytocin and other endorphins help reduce symptoms of pain.” So, next time it’s your time of the month, don’t forget that a little self- exploration is good for your health!
Better sleep
You may also find that you sleep better after a good masturbation session as you should be more relaxed after an intense orgasm. The oxytocin which makes you feel good on climaxing, will then make you sleepy once the “high” has worn off, so make the most of it and have a good night’s rest.
F A Q's about having sex during menstruation
Is it safe to have sex during menstruation?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to have sex while on your period is the short answer. If you’re in the mood and are feeling up to it, then sex during menstruation is not going to cause any harm to anyone. All that is different from the rest of the month is that your uterus lining is shedding, due to the lack of a viable pregnancy, otherwise, nothing has changed.
Any safe practices that you used before you got your period (condoms, dental dams, contraception, hygiene) still apply during menstruation, so you don’t need to change anything – just relax and enjoy your body and what it’s capable of!
Can I get pregnant during my period?
Yes. Although it’s less likely, you can still get pregnant if you have sex during menstruation. Some pregnancies occur because people are under the false impression that they don’t need to practice safe sex while one partner is menstruating. This is not quite true. You should keep using your chosen birth control as advised by your medical practitioner, as if you’re wanting to avoid pregnancy, you are still at risk of conceiving.
Some sperm can live for up to 5 days inside the uterus, so if you have unprotected sex during your period, then ovulate soon afterwards, there can be a chance to get pregnant – better to be safe than sorry, as they say.
Is it good or bad to have sex during menstruation?
Sex during your period is as good or as bad as you make it. If you’re not comfortable having sex during menstruation (either because you have period cramps or just don’t feel like it) then it’s not going to be a very pleasant experience. Having sex during your period is absolutely your choice and that needs to be respected.
Sex during consenting adults at any time of the month can be wonderful or, let’s face it, downright boring and unfulfilling in some cases – or anything in between! The fact that you’re on your period shouldn’t really affect anything, apart from maybe being a bit messier than usual.
If you want to have and feel like having sex during menstruation, then this is your right. We are all individuals and what is good, or bad for one person, may not be the same for another. My personal view on this is that no-one has the right to judge anyone else on their personal choices in life. We have established that sex during menstruation is healthy, as long as it is practiced safely, therefore, if you choose to do it, then it is right for you.
Can a man get an STD from period blood?
Period blood is a bodily fluid, just like saliva and sperm, so a virus could be present and therefore infect another person. For this reason, it’s always best to practice safe sex and use barrier protection such as condoms. This applies to heterosexual or same sex couples.
Can you get sick from someone’s period blood?
If the person who is menstruating has a clean bill of sexual health and has no STI’s, then menstrual blood is not going to make anyone sick.
HOWEVER – there are certain viruses which are passed on via blood, such as HIV and hepatitis. This means that if your partner is infected with one of these STI’s, you could be at risk from being infected via the period blood if you don’t wear protection. Similarly, if a man has an STI, the woman who is menstruating is also at risk from catching the virus from her partner, via the period blood.
Again, practicing safe sex (condoms, dental dams etc) is always the best way to enjoy sex when either partner is menstruating, in order to stay safe and healthy.
This advice is pretty much the same whether someone is menstruating or not – safe sex should be practiced all the time for best sexual health.
Is it “dirty” to have sex during menstruation?
Messy – yes! Dirty? NO! There is nothing “dirty” about having sex during menstruation, or shameful for that matter.
Sex during menstruation is still very much a taboo subject in many cultures and even talking about it, prohibited, which I find very sad. Personally, I think that there’s nothing wrong with wanting to have sex during your period and nobody has the right to make you feel ashamed if you do.
Being sexually active or aroused during any time of the month is a perfectly natural and healthy part of being Human. We don’t suddenly stop being interested in sex, just because our bodies tell us that we’re not pregnant and don’t need our uterus lining just now. Your body is capable of giving and receiving pleasure during all phases of your menstrual cycle – why not take advantage of that?
If you, or your partner use your period as a reason not to have sex, I think you’re missing out on a whole week of potential pleasure and intimacy, which over the course of a year, is quite a long time. But I will reiterate this again – it’s down to personal choice.
Can sex change your period?
No, having sex during your period shouldn’t alter your menstrual cycle.
Side effects of having sex on my period?
- You’ll be less stressed
- You’ll smile more and be less cranky
- Messy bedsheets and clothes – be prepared!
- Less period pain – all those endorphins flying around!
- Possibly a shorter period – orgasms help push out period blood more quickly
- Sleep more easily, due to being more relaxed
- Feel more connected to your partner instead of having a week off from intimacy and closeness
- Physical contact makes you feel attractive and desired at a time when your hormones are possibly playing up (bloating, weepiness etc).
- Sexual contact more pleasurable and intense orgasms
- 12 weeks of the year feeling fulfilled instead of becoming frustrated because you abstained
Thanks for reading
Lisa
I love how everything in this post is explained so clearly!
Thanks Katherine, hope you found it useful.
Very informative post thanks 😊
Thank you, Tianna