Is It Ok To Have Sex While You Have Your Period
Is it OK and normal to have sex while you have your period? Kathleen*
It all depends on the couple and how they feel about having sex when a girl has her period. Some girls don’t like the idea of having sex during a period. Some see it as a natural monthly break in the action. Others are perfectly comfortable with it.
However you feel, just be sure to talk it over with your partner beforehand to make sure you’re on the same page.
If a girl has sex with a guy during her period, she can still get pregnant. And guys and girls also can get STDs during this time. In fact, having sex when a girl has her period can make it even easier to spread some STDs. So always use a condom every time you have sex.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
You Don’t Have To Do It
Period sex is a personal choice, and not one every person chooses to make. Don’t ever feel pressured to have sex while you’re on your period if you don’t want to – if your partner can’t wait a few days, they’re probably not worth waiting for.
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Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period
Yes, you can still get pregnant during your period. Although the odds are lower, you can get pregnant having period sex if you skip actual protection like condoms or birth control.
A person’s chances of getting pregnant depend on the length of their cycle and where their fertility window falls. There are four phases that make up your menstrual cyclemenstruation, follicle, ovulation, and lutealand the fertility window usually begins a few days before ovulation. But there’s a lot of variation to account for here: One 2020 study found that even if a person can predict the length of their cycle, their ovulation date is still up in the air. Physician and intimacy expert Alexandra Stockwell, M.D., notes, “Bodies aren’t like math.”
Additionally, sperm can survive within the body for several days, meaning that if you tend to ovulate shortly after your period, you can still get pregnant from the sex you had during your period.
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Can You Get Pregnant
If you arent actively trying to conceive, using protection is a good idea, no matter what part of your menstrual cycle youre in. Your odds of conceiving are lower during your period, but its still possible to become pregnant at this time.
Youre most likely to get pregnant during ovulation, which happens about 14 days before your period starts. Yet every womans cycle length is different, and your cycle length can change monthly. If you have a short menstrual cycle, your risk of getting pregnant during your period is higher.
Also consider that sperm can stay alive in your body for up to seven days. So, if you have a 22-day cycle and you ovulate soon after getting your period, theres a chance youll be releasing an egg while sperm are still in your reproductive tract.
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If you are wearing a tampon, take it out beforehand. To avoid staining your sheets, have a towel ready to lie on. You can even get creative and enjoy some time in the shower together.
Keep in mind that you still need to use protection when you have sex during your period. Youre more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections , and pregnancy is still possible, so make sure you use birth control and are protected against STIs.
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Focus On The Advantages Of Your Flow
Instead of worrying about all the extra fluid involved, look at blood as a plusafter all, it’s just extra natural lube. “If lubrication tends to be an issue for you, you might love period sex,” says Marin. And even if it’s not, a little extra wetness never hurts…
Another perk to period sex, she says: It can increase your pain threshold, easing headaches, cramps, and other not-so-fun stuff that youre dealing with during that time of the month. Keeping the physical benefits in mind can help nix any of the mental hangups preventing you from going for it.
Benefits Of Having Sex On Period
Having sex during your period has a few advantages including:
- Relief from menstrual cramps Having an orgasm is a great way to get relief from menstrual pain. During an orgasm, the muscles of your uterus contract. Then they release, bringing some relief from menstrual cramps. Whats more, orgasms release endorphins that make you feel good.
- Less need for lubrication Introducing lube into your bedroom can result in more pleasurable sex, as many people dont produce sufficient natural lubricant. However, when you have period sex, blood acts as a natural lubricant.
- Shorter periods Having sex can shorten your period. The contracting of the uterus during an orgasm can speed up the shedding of your uterine lining.
- More enjoyable sex For many people, having sex during their period can be even more pleasurable than at other times of the month. This is because of the changes in your libido that occur throughout your menstrual cycle as a result of hormonal fluctuations.
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Try Clitoral And External Stimulation
If a person does not want to insert their fingers or a sex toy into their vagina while on their period, they can try stimulating their clitoris and other external erogenous zones instead.
This will create less mess than penetrative methods, and if someone is wearing a menstrual cup or tampon, they will not need to remove it.
How Does Conception Occur
The ability to conceive is miraculous. It requires the meeting of a males sperm with a females egg. Once a womans ovary releases an egg, the egg lives for only between 12 and 24 hours. The male sperm can live for about three days.
The typical female cycle is 28 days. Day 1 is when she starts her period. A woman typically ovulates around day 14 .
Ovulation is when a womans ovary releases an egg for fertilization. If a sperm is available in the uterus, pregnancy can occur.
Ovulation can vary based on a womans cycle. Some women have a longer cycle of around 35 days between periods. Ovulation would then happen around day 21. Women with a shorter cycle of 21 days ovulate around day 7.
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More Birth Control Options Without Using Hormones
If you are not sure about the answer,”is it safe to have sex right after periods?” do not take any chances. You can always use several birth control options to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Below are some effective ones that don’t require using hormones.
1. Male and Female Condoms
While there are many new ways of contraception, the classic condom is still among the best. It not only prevents pregnancy but also protects you from contracting sexually transmitted infections. Condoms today are made out of latex as well as synthetic materials and are used for oral, vagina, and anal sex. There are options available if you are allergic to some material. There are female condoms as well that you need to insert into your vagina it fits like a pouch and prevents sperm from entering. When used properly, the success rate for female condoms is 95%, whereas the success rate for male condoms is 98%. No mater female condoms or male condoms, there is always a risk that they will break or split.
Are Other People Having Sex On Their Period
Based on the number of folks who are reading this blog article yup. But really, it doesnt matter if other folks are doing it or not. Having sex during menstruation is a personal decision, so we again emphasize that you should talk with your partner to see how they feel. If nothing else it can be another opportunity to get to know your partner and their likes, dislikes and comfort level.
This article has been edited for clarity and updated formatting since its original publishing date.
Most recent edit: November 5, 2019
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What Should I Watch Out For
While having sex on your period is mostly safe, you may have to keep a few important things in mind. For starters, you may have to deal with bacterial infections. That is mainly because bacteria can penetrate the cervical mucus more easily during this time. This may result in the infections of your upper reproductive tract. Bacterial vaginosis is another possibility in this case. It is also easier for bacteria to grow quickly because they will have plenty of iron around to feed on during your menstruation. It is also important to understand that you are more susceptible to infections and STDs at this time because your cervix is more open at this time of month. This is to allow the blood to pass with ease.
You Can Get Pregnant at This Time
If your partner does not use condoms, you may be at a greater risk of developing STIs. This also increases the risk of HIV transmission. You may also consider wearing female condoms to practice safer sex and protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections and other diseases.
Some women think they cannot get pregnant when they have sex during period. That is not true. You can become pregnant if your ovulation overlaps with menstruation. Even if you are not ovulating at the time of intercourse, you may begin to in a couple of days after your period. Sperm can live up to 5 days and fertilize an egg soon after your period ends. It is therefore a good idea to take contraceptive pills and practice safe sex to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
Is Having Sex On Your Period Bad For You
No. Having sex while one or more partners are on their period is not harmful. In fact, there are a few ways in which it might be helpful! First, the contractions of orgasm might help relieve menstrual cramping. Second, sex might feel particularly great because the vagina can become super lubricated from menstrual secretions. If you or your partner worry about a mess from the blood, consider spreading out a towel or having sex in the shower to minimize post-coital cleaning.
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Sex During Your Period: Possible Consequences
Although having sex during your period comes with many upsides, there are also a few downsides:
- It can be messy. Theres always a chance that blood will get on you, your partner, and the sheets, especially if you have a heavy flow. Whats more, you might find yourself worrying about making a mess, and this can take some of the fun out of sex.
- You have an increased risk of STIs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having sex during your period increases your risk of getting or transmitting an STI like HIV. The virus may be present in your period blood. Health experts strongly encourage using a condom to decrease this risk.
- It might be smelly. Period blood can often have an unpleasant smell. In the heat of the moment, you and your partner might not be focusing on the smell, but its good to be prepared.
- Your positions are limited. You or your partner might not be comfortable with oral sex when youre on your period. Being on top might also be messier, thanks to gravity. A great position to try could be lying on your back.
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Is It Okay To Have Oral Sex During Your Period
Just as with vaginal penetration, oral sex during your period can be safe and really depends on you and your partners comfort level. If oral sex is something you enjoy, theres no reason to stop. Using a dental dam can reduce exposure to STIs.
STIs via oral sex are still possible, and with menstrual blood, there may be a slightly increased risk because of the added body fluids. If you prefer oral sex to penetration, you could consider keeping a tampon or menstrual cup in to minimize exposure .
How Can A Woman Get Pregnant On Her Period
Its easy to mistake vaginal bleeding for the beginning of a period. Its possible you could bleed during ovulation when youre most fertile. This could easily be mistaken for a period. Having unprotected sex at this time dramatically increases your chances of becoming pregnant.
For the average woman, the ovulation cycle is somewhere between 28 and 30 days. This means that if you have sex while on your period, you wont likely ovulate until several days later.
But women with a shorter cycle wouldnt have the same amount of time between having their periods and ovulating.
Another consideration is that a mans sperm can live inside a woman for up to 72 hours after ejaculation. Toward the end of your period, your chances of becoming pregnant will increase.
If youre curious about your ovulation patterns, you can track the number of days between your periods. This includes when you start your period, and then when you start your period again.
Over several months, you can identify a pattern to determine roughly when your ovulation cycle occurs.
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