Sex in periods may intrigue curiosity, and you may wonder if it is okay to do it. While some people may be grossed about Sex in periods, yet some vouch for it. Do you worry about the safety and possibility of it happening? Well, you should equip yourself with the right information to decide for yourself.
Sex during periods
First things first, is it even safe to have Sex during periods? To answer your question, yes, it is absolutely safe to have Sex when you are menstruating. You may not feel like it, but it is not off-limits. It is not that blood keeps oozing out of the vagina in a steady flow. It is only a few tablespoons of blood during the entire period. So you can go ahead and try it for yourself and then decide.
Benefits of Sex in periods
Relief from cramps – Having Sex during periods might help ease the discomfort from the cramps. The orgasms during sex cause contraction and relaxation of uterine muscles, which helps ease the tension.
Shorter periods – What more could one ask for? Having Sex during your period can help in shortening the days you have your periods. Orgasms cause contractions that help in the faster release of the uterine lining, which makes the length of a period shorter.
Natural lubrication – The blood oozing during periods can provide natural lubrication, which makes intercourse smoother. It can help you avoid artificial lubes that can sometimes tear your condoms.
Headache relief – Migraines usually accompany women on their periods. Sexual intercourse can help relieve the pain and make your days easier. Sex also releases endorphins which are happy hormones. It elevates your mood when being on the edge and mood swings are a common symptom of women on their periods. It also helps you sleep better, where most women are uncomfortable during their periods.
Sex drive – Women usually claim their sex drive increases around the period of ovulation, but some tend to have a higher drive during their periods. The hormonal fluctuations could be the reason behind the perception. Period sex can help you gratify the desire and grant other benefits along.
Now, if you still wonder if Sex in a period is good or bad, you should understand it is your personal call. While we have enlisted the benefits here, we will go on to see the downsides and also the ways to manage Sex during periods.
Downsides Sex in periods
The major con will remain the main component of the discussion, blood. Period blood can make sex way messier and can dirty the sheets. It could get on your or your partner and inhibits the switch between penetrative and oral Sex. It could also make you conscious of your body or about the whole scene that could happen.
The main benefit of period sex is lubrication which could also be compromised if you have removed the tampon just before sexual intercourse. The tampon soaks the blood and, in this case, the lubricant that could help in a pleasurable sexual experience.
It could also increase the risk of transmission of infections. Sexually transmitted diseases like HIV could travel through the blood and infect the other person. The virus can travel through blood as it can through other bodily fluids. The cervix is more open during periods that could make the entry and exit of the virus easier and puts you at a higher risk of catching an infection.
The risk of getting a yeast infection also rises during periods. The vagina has acidic pH, but the blood being more alkaline compromises the pH of the vagina. It puts you at a higher risk of yeast infection. It normally occurs a week prior to the period, but Sex during the period could exacerbate the condition. It could also increase the chances of getting Urinary tract infections (UTIs). The weakened passage could aid the entry of any bacteria making UTI a possibility in menstruating women.
As said, it could be a messy affair but also a smelly one. The period smell is not appetizing for sure and could put you through a different ambiance. If you decide to go for it, you should be prepared for a different-smelling experience as well. Sex during periods also limits the options for sex positions. You would like to opt for sex positions that are not anti-gravity for women, like a cowgirl. Choose a neutral position that does not involve a woman sitting or standing to be precise.
Now you know both ups and downs of period sex, it is for you to decide if Sex in a period is good or bad.
Risk of pregnancy during periods
The major question that pops into your mind would be if you can get pregnant with period sex. Most people believe there is no chance of pregnancy as the woman is already shedding the unfertilized egg. Well, you may be wrong and end up in an unwanted pregnancy because it is possible to get pregnant with Sex in a period.
Although it is not common for a woman to conceive with Sex during periods, it is still not out of the question. Women with shorter menstrual cycles, like 21-24 days, could have ovulation soon after the period is over. The sperm can live up to 5 days after sexual intercourse and fertilize the egg even a few days after the initial deposition.
We cannot always decide the length of a menstrual cycle, and there are innumerable factors that play a role. The menstrual cycle could alter due to factors like:
- Breastfeeding
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Eating disorders
- Weight loss
There is no way to decide for sure that you will not get pregnant if you have Sex during your period. When there are several factors in the process, it is ideal to use protection even for Sex in periods.
Tips to enhance the sexual experience
Talk it out – It is ideal for initiating open communication with your partner if any one of them is interested in period sex. It should be clear and approved by both partners. You can also talk about how you would like to go through with it and share all the details you would keep in mind. Being honest about it would help you both be on the same page and make the experience better for both at the same time. Even if the period of Sex does not really turn you on and you cannot say no to your partner, make sure you express your feelings and be truthful than making it a terrible experience for both.
Hygiene – Make sure you have plenty of towels or sheets under you. Cover your mattress or furniture where you plan to have Sex to avoid any spillage.
Towels – Have a set of towels and tissue ready to wipe extra blood and clean yourself after Sex during the period.
Shower sex – Try having Sex in the shower to minimize the discomfort and mess. Sex in the shower will clean the menstrual flow on its own and make the process easier for both.
Choose later days – It is better to choose lighter days of the period, which are the last days of the period, like days 3-5 for most women. The flow will be lighter, which will make the process less cumbersome.
Choose wiser positions – Missionary or lying on the side position could be more comfortable for the woman on her period.
Tampon – Make sure to take the tampon out before initiating Sex. In case you forget to remove your tampon, it could be pushed too far by your partner and make the retrieval difficult afterward.
Menstrual cup – using a soft menstrual cup can help collect the blood in one place. It would reduce the seepage of blood in the vaginal canal, making the experience better. There are soft and disposable ones available that can be used during Sex. It could cause a little discomfort, and you can remove it if it gets intolerable.
Foreplay – While foreplay mostly includes stimulation with your hands, you can choose to opt for other methods for stimulation. It could be more cuddling, kissing, and rubbing your bodies than using the hands on the genitalia to avoid getting your hands dirty. You could go ahead with the clitoral stimulation if your partner is wearing a menstrual cup.
Contraception – Make sure to use condoms during Sex to avoid pregnancy and transmission of any infections.
Bottom line
Sex during periods remains debatable and is your personal choice. We have enumerated the pros and cons along with the ways to make it better. You should know all about it before you decide to give it a shot. If you have any other queries, you can book a sex doctor’s online consultation to get your answers.