What You Should Know About Having Sex During Menstruation

While evidence shows that it is in fact perfectly okay to have sex with a woman while she is on her period, many couples refrain from the act during that time of the month either due to doubts or insecurities that they might have.

While periods are commonly an unpleasant experience, having sex while menstruating is perfectly normal and safe as long as both partners are comfortable with it. If you have questions or concerns about engaging in sexual activity during that time of the month, here are a few things that you should know:

1. It can be messy

While it’s perfectly safe to do, period sex does sometimes have messy side effects due to the fact that she is currently menstruating. It is recommended that you lay a towel on the bed to avoid stained sheets, or maybe try moving your fun to the shower where the water can do the cleanup for you.

Also, don’t be alarmed if you see those dark red or brown clumps during or after intercourse, this is normal during periods and is simply old blood and cells of the uterine lining.

There are also products, such as menstrual cups and female condoms, which can help reduce the amount of blood that is secreted during intercourse. Even using a regular condom can make the cleanup easier.

Also, having sex in the missionary position with the woman lying on her back can help limit blood flow, as can having sex toward the end of the cycle when the flow is often lighter. Whatever you decide to do, it’s best to talk with your partner in order to communicate what is best for them.

2. It can be a turn on

While periods can certainly provide discomfort that can make it difficult to get in the mood for sex, some women tend to become more aroused during their time of the month and have reported feeling more turned on and sensitive around the time that their estrogen and testosterone levels begin to rise.

This can lead to more pleasurable and fun sexual intercourse for both partners, and it is undoubtedly a great way to relieve the stress that can result from PMS mood swings and menstrual cramps.

3. Periods and sex can go hand in hand

While you might not think that menstruation and sex can benefit from each other, they certainly can. The blood flow that women experience during menstruation can serve as extra lubrication during sex, increasing pleasure and making sex more comfortable.

You can even forgo lubricant during this time if you wish. And as previously mentioned, it has also been suggested that orgasms can help relieve the pains of menstrual cramping and PMS. So it’s a win-win situation for everyone.

4. You don’t have to stick to penetration

There are many other options you can try when a woman is on her period if you are not comfortable with penetrative intercourse. For instance, she can wear a tampon and you can focus on stimulating her through the clitoris.

You both can also engage in manual or oral stimulation of each other to help reach orgasm without having to have period sex.

5. Don’t forget to use protection

One of the most important things to know about period sex is that she can still get pregnant while she is on her period. While the chance is definitely lower than usual, some women’s menstruation overlaps with their ovulation cycle, allowing the chance for the woman to get pregnant while on her period. Additionally, sperm can live for up to 3 to 5 days inside the vagina.

Even so, you should be careful about wearing protection anyway to prevent the transmission of STDs. Women are more prone to infection at this time of the month because their cervix is more open, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Having sex with a woman while she’s on her period doesn’t have to be gross and uncomfortable. Sex can actually have a beneficial effect on her menstrual cycle, and periods can even make sex more satisfying for both partners.

As long as you’re both comfortable with it and are able to communicate with each other about it, having period sex is safe and normal and can be a pleasurable experience.