Period Sex Tips: How To Have Mess
With Valentines Day right around the corner, we thought wed share our very best tips for enjoying great period sex – without the mess!
So, can you have sex during your period? Yes, absolutely! Having sex during your period is completely safe and can even be beneficial for lifting your mood. It is also reported that orgasms help to relieve period cramps! Many people experience a surge in libido during their period, so if this is you – go for it. As with any sex, it should always be mutually consensual between you and your partner, and you should take the same precautions to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
How To Have The Best Period Ever
Have sex while you are on your period or dont, but one thing is never optional: using the best, holistic period care products available. Rael is your go-to source for all the period products that keep you comfortable and protected during every phase of your monthly cycle .
No matter what kind of periods you usually have, Rael has a product that will work for you. From organic cotton tampons and pads that absorb without exposing your body to harsh chemicals to reusable products like period underwear and menstrual cups, weve got you covered with everything you need to have a great period.
You Might Like It A Lot
Arousal is different for every woman, and some may be too distracted by their period and its annoyances to actually get in the mood for sex. But for others, menstruation could actually be a turn-on of sorts. Thats because your estrogen and testosterone are low on day 1, but they start to rise by day 3. Some women report they feel more aroused and more sensitive around this time, says Ford says.
Plus, your flow can serve as extra lubrication during sex, which can also increase pleasure. If you typically use a store-bought lubricant to help with dryness during sex, this may be your week to go natural. And some research suggests that orgasms can even relieve menstrual cramping and PMS.
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Infection Risk From Sex During Your Period
Its crucial to practice safe sex while youre having your period because you could still get or transmit an STI, like HIV, during this time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus may be present in menstrual blood. Therefore, doctors strongly encourage using a condom to decrease this risk.
Lauren Streicher, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, says that anecdotally speaking, there are two reasons for this risk. Any bodily fluid can carry HIV or STIs, and , the cervix opens slightly, which might allow viruses to pass through, she says. My message to women is youre not off the hook as far as using protection.
You may also be more prone to some infections in general at this time. Your maintains a pH level of 3.8 to 4.5 throughout the month, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . But during menstruation, that level rises because of the higher pH level of blood, and yeast is able to grow more rapidly.
Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are more likely to occur the week before your menstrual period, and intercourse during this time can exacerbate symptoms. But clear evidence is lacking for any increased risk of getting a yeast infection if you have sex during your period.
Remember: You Can Still Get Pregnant During Your Period
Menstrual discs and sponges may create a barrier to prevent blood spills during sex, but they dont provide a barrier that protects against pregnancy. If youre preventing pregnancy, remember to use a condom or other form of birth control as well as your sponge or disc. It’s a popular misconception that you can’t get pregnant during your period, and although it is unlikely, it certainly isn’t impossible. Sponges and menstrual discs also dont protect against STIs, so always use protection!
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Quick Quiz: Do You Give Lousy Blow Jobs
If you are new here, then you may want to take the quiz below to learn how good you are at giving oral sex and satisfying your man. You may discover you that you suck or that you are already a blow job queen.
Many people consider these silicone cups safer than tampons, which consist of bleached cotton. You can also rinse and re-use them to save money, too! Menstrual cups keep you feeling clean enough so that you can even receive oral sex when you have your period, but they do take some time to get the hang of. If youre trying out a cup, make sure you practice a bit before you dive right into sex.
A dental dam comes in handy during oral sex . Your partner holds this small plastic square between your genitals and their tongue when performing. This reduces the likelihood of contracting STIs and coming into contact with period blood .
So as you can see, with the right preparation, period sex doesnt have to be any less healthy or less pleasurable or any riskier than sex during the other three weeks of the month!
Having Sex During A Period May Reduce Cramps
Yup, you heard right. Having sex on a period may actually help with pain reduction. This may mean lessening cramps. One of the most common PMS symptoms, cramps are the result of uterine muscle contraction. Orgasms may help manage this cramping sensation and pain and also produce endorphins, which make you happy.
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But If You’re Not In The Mood Know That That’s Okay Too
The same rules apply to period sex as they do for any sex. Not into it? Don’t do it. Research suggests that people who menstruate are may be horniest during ovulation, which takes place right in the middle of your cycle, rather than at the end of the cycle when you get your period. If you feel cranky and bloated during your period, how about requesting a massage from your partner as a way to enjoy intimate touch without straight-up sex? You can also turn to the pros to alleviate symptoms: Some spas, such as Greenpoint Massage in Brooklyn, even offer special massages designed to ease period pains. What’s more, sometimes waiting to have sex makes it so much better when you do. “If you don’t like period sex, the sexual build-up for when youre done is fantastic,” Richmond says.
What Different Things Can I Do Sexually While On My Period
Some tips that one can follow to enhance menstruation sex experiences are:
- Use a menstrual cup after intercourse to reduce vaginal blood.
- Put some towels on bed sheets or mattresses to avoid blood staining.
- Try sexual positions that are more comfortable and less messy.
- Try having sex in the shower to reduce the mess.
It is preferable to have sex on days when blood flow is light, e.g., having sex on the first day of the period is less messy than the third or fourth day. However, this theory also depends on unique flow patterns that play out differently for all women!
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How To Have Sex On Your Period
So you know it’s OK but you aren’t sure where to begin? We were once there, too. Remember: there is no wrong way as long as you’re being safe, which means using prevention for STIs and birth control, and in a consenting situation. There are, however, a few ways to make period sex easier and less stressful. Worrying is a great way to ruin a romantic evening.
I Found Myself Judging My Partner
Like most people, I can be fairly judgmental in certain situations. However, where Im least likely to be judgmental is in regards to sex. Im extremely sex-positive and no matter what youre into, I will give you the highest of fives and tell you to enjoy it.
But in this particular case, I was judging my partner. In fact, I think it was the only time in my life that Ive judged a sexual partner for anything and I felt like a total a-hole for it. Maybe it was because he was enjoying the period sex far more than I was or perhaps I was projecting, but I do know that even before it was over I had no intentions of seeing him again which sucks because hes the head chef at one of my favorite restaurants in the West Village. I havent been to the place since.
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Less Need For Vaginal Lubrication
Youre less likely to need lubricants if you engage in intercourse during menstruation, because menstrual discharge tends to provide enough lubrication. If you do need a lubricant, then water-based lubricants are widely available and safe both for sex and for condoms, says ob/gyn James Simon, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Silicone and hybrid lubricants that are water-based and silicone-based are likewise safe for both sex and condoms. Oil-based lubricants, especially mineral oil-based lubricants, can deteriorate condoms increasing the risk of breakage and are not recommended with latex condoms, he says.
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Doctors Say Go For It
If the patient is comfortable with it, then its great to continue having sex throughout the month and not have to take a break, says Ford. Its perfectly natural and safe for both partners.
To avoid stained sheets , she recommends putting a towel down on the bed, or getting busy in the shower. And dont be concerned if you see dark red or brown clumps during or after sex thats just older blood and cells of your uterine lining, and its perfectly normal.
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And Your Partner Might Too
Women shouldnt assume their partner will be grossed out by their period. In fact, its often the person whos menstruating who puts a stop to sex, not her other half, Ford says. Every couple is different, and some people will be more open to it than others. If youre curious what your partner might think, however, dont spring it on him or her in the heat of the momentbring it up before things get hot and heavy. Good communication can lead to great sex at any time during the month, she says.
Can I Get Pregnant From Period Sex
Another great bonus of period sex , is that its very unlikely you are going to get pregnant from it. We are most fertile before, during and after ovulation – aka when your body releases an egg to be fertilized. When you have a period that is essentially your uterus recognizing that the egg has not become a fetus and shedding the uterine lining
Generally speaking, you cant get pregnant on your period – however, some peoples cycles like to play tricks on them – so we do always recommend still using contraception if babies are not on the cards for you right now. Another important reason to use contraception – and condoms specifically – is that you are more likely to contract STIs when you have period sex. Viruses like HIV can be carried in menstrual blood, so make sure you are keeping yourself and your partner safe!
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So How Do I Make It Less Likely To Have A Baby
- Dont have penile-vaginal sex.
- But if youre going to have penile-vaginal sex
- Control your and your partners behavior:
- Carefully track menstrual cycles to better understand normal cycles and predict ovulation.
- These methods take a lot of self-control and 100% consistency on the part of both partners. You cant control your partners behavior, so this can be a good backup method, but we dont recommend using one or both of these behaviors as the primary way to avoid pregnancy.
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Period Sex Helps Cramps
You may have heard that sex on your period can help alleviate the pain you experience from cramps, and its actually true! Having sex releases endorphins into your system. Say bye-bye to period cramps if you decide to get it on.
Endorphins not only make you feel good, but they also help alleviate discomfort. While they wont give you lasting pain relief, they can take away your cramps during a particularly intense day.
Period sex also helps alleviate cramps by causing your uterus to contract and release. The cramps you experience during your period are from uterine contractions, so having sex can help release you from cramps.
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Use Birth Control And Practice Safe Sex
Just because youre menstruating does not mean that you cannot get pregnant. Though the chances of pregnancy are lower than at other phases in your menstrual cycle, over 30% of women have irregular cycles. This means that you may not know exactly when you are menstruating and when you are ovulating. Please speak with a gynecologist to find the right birth control for you.
Keep in mind that not all birth control methods prevent STI transmission. Again, check with a licensed medical professional on how to practice safe relations — whether or not its period sex.
It Will Make You Feel Good In All The Right Ways
When youre menstruating, you are generally a little more turned on than usual due to a spike in estrogen and testosterone, says Jill Hechtman, MD, ob-gyn and medical director of Tampa Obstetrics.
And when you take your O to new heights, you might also experience some pain relief when it comes to cramping. While research hasnt completely confirmed this connection, some women swear it helps. Sex isnt a guaranteed cure for those painful aches, but it can certainly be an enjoyable supplement to downing a couple of Advil.
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You May Want To Use Extra Lubrication
While some consider menstrual blood to be a natural lubricant, your menstrual cycle can actually lower your body’s natural lubrication levels.
Dr. Felice Gersh, M.D., a gynecologist at Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, previously told INSIDER that your body’s natural lubrication will be at its lowest while on your period because that’s when your body’s estrogen levels are at their lowest.
So, using some form of extra lubrication can make sex on your period a bit more comfortable.
Your body won’t actually stop menstruating while you’re submerged in water, but physics works in your favor. As Tonic reports, the water pressure can stop blood from flowing out.
While you may still experience some bleeding during sex, having sex in the bath can potentially be more comfortable and make for less of a mess.
Having Sex On Your Period May Relieve Cramps
Cramps are one of the worst PMS symptoms that we ladies have to deal with. Luckily, period sex can help with that. Its scientifically proven that vaginal stimulation affects the neurons in the brain to elevate a womans pain threshold, according to research put forth inThe Atlantic.
This extends to period cramps: Penetrative or oral stimulation can reduce menstrual pain, much more fun than popping a few Midol. And yes, this also means that intercourse can help you get rid of that headache.
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It Can Be The Most Fun
The main reason we make love is that it feels good. What if we told you that sex during your period can actually be more fun? Thats not just a matter of opinion: Thanks to the hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, your sex drive can be higher during certain times of the month than others. This can happen while youre spotting or on your period.
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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