Your Natural Lubrication Levels Are Lower On Your Period
While your period fluids might make for an inexpensive lube option, Dr. Gersh pointed out that your bodys natural lubrication will be at its lowest while on your period because thats when your bodys estrogen levels are at their lowest. Its important to make sure your body is ready for vaginal intercourse and take whatever sexy precautious necessary, whether thats lube or coconut oil or aloe vera.
I Had Unprotected Sex Before Period Can I Be Pregnant
Yes you can. There is a chance of becoming pregnant irrespective of when you engage in sexual intercourse without practicing safe sex or using birth control. You ovulate when your ovary releases egg, which travels through the fallopian tube. You are most fertile at this stage and having sex may fertilize the egg and result in pregnancy.
Ovulation takes place midway between your periods that is when you have regular periods, but there is a chance of it to vary from the 8th day to the 20th day of your cycle. What it means is that you can still become pregnant if you have unprotected sex before period.The chances of becoming pregnant may come down a bit when you have sex a week before your period when you may not be ovulating. There is no way to confirm when you will ovulate though. This is especially true if you have an irregular period. You can ovulate just before the date of the last time you had your period, in which case unprotected sex will lead to pregnancy. So no matter its 7 days, 5 days or even 2 days before period, you can never be sure if the ovulation has started.
What Others Have Experienced and Advised?
Some with strictly regular periods may argue that if you have sex close enough to the period, the chances of pregnant are very slim. They would give sex without pregnancy a try. Lets see what others say:
What to Do?
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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You’re More Likely To Spread Sexually Transmitted Infections
Proceed with caution – while there are good points to it, sex during menstruation may contribute to transmission of some sexually transmitted infections . To allow the blood to pass, the cervix is slightly more open around this time, which puts you at a higher risk if of infection if exposed to an STI. If in doubt, follow your usual safe sex guidelines and use a condom.
How To Clean Up Afterward
In general, cleaning up after period masturbation or sex follows a similar process as cleaning up after sex when not menstruating.
First, a person should wash their vulva with warm water. If a partner or partners took part, they should also wash their genitals in the same way. If a sex toy was part of the experience, a person should wash this as per the manufacturers instructions.
If blood gets on clothing or bed sheets, a person can rinse the stain through with cold water as soon as is convenient. This will make it easier to remove. Do not use hot water.
Scrape off any excess with a blunt knife, and wash the fabric in lukewarm water with laundry detergent. An enzyme-based stain remover may also help.
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Staying Clean And Healthy
What Happens When You Get Your Period During Ramadan
Getting your period often means cramps, breakouts, and the impossible mission of satisfying sugar cravings. If youre a Muslim woman, add following a set of rules to the list. As people from all over the world prepare for Ramadan at the end of this month, theres one factor to consider on just about half of their minds: menstruation.
Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which means that this year it begins at the end of May. It is a month of intense prayer, reflection, and fasting from dawn to dusk intended for fostering a stronger relationship with God. It is also about discipline and valuing the blessings in life too often taken for granted.
I believe, with each passing Ramadan, I become a better Muslim, Rose Khan, a 20-year-old from New York, told Teen Vogue. Ramadan also allows me to reflect on how all of my actions affect other people because I am more aware of what I am doing.
Rose said shes been observing Ramadan with her family since the age of 7. According to Faraz M. Sheikh, PhD, an assistant professor with the Department of Religious Studies at the College of William and Mary, legal scholars say the recommended age to start fasting is based on either puberty or physical health.
However, when a woman has her period, the way she observes Ramadan changes.
Rose discussed this idea of purity when describing womanhood in relation to her religious identity.
But Rose explained that this has opened up a healthy dialogue in her household.
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What If You Have A 28
The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, with the first day of menstruation as cycle day 1.
Most periods last two to seven days. Pregnancy is uncommon during this time, because your peak fertility window is still about a week or so away.
Around days 6 to 14 of your cycle, your body will start releasing follicle-stimulating hormone .
This helps develop an egg inside your ovary. Your body will also begin rebuilding the endometrial lining in your uterus.
Pregnancy is slightly more likely during this time. Sperm can live up to five days inside the body, so it could still be present when the egg matures.
Once the egg is mature, your body will release lutenizing hormone , triggering the eggs release from your ovary .
Ovulation usually occurs around cycle day 14. Pregnancy is likely on ovulation day.
That said, ovulation doesnt always happen like clockwork. It can occur anywhere from four days before to four days after the midpoint of your menstrual cycle.
The bottom Line
If you ovulate later in your cycle or start your period sooner than usual, you could become pregnant if you have sex in the days leading up to your period.
Lots of people dont have 28-day cycles. Some have cycles as short as 21 days and others as long as 35 days.
In fact, in one study , only about 30 percent of participants had their fertile window fall within days 10 to 17 of their cycle. Only 10 percent had ovulation fall exactly 14 days before their next period.
You can do this a number of ways, including:
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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So What Really Happens To Your Body During Your Period First Let’s Break Down The Physiology Of The Menstrual Cycle And How Your Body Changes
Your menstrual cycle is dictated by estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that signal the eggs in your ovaries to mature and get ready for fertilization, along with making your uterine lining thick and spongy to prepare for a potential pregnancy.
Halfway through your menstrual cycle, these hormones let your ovaries know it’s time to release a mature egg down your fallopian tubes towards your uterus in a process called ovulation. What we know as the “period” bleeding, cramps is the end phase post-ovulation if the egg isn’t fertilized where your body sheds the thickened uterine lining and unfertilized egg through the vagina in a mix of blood, bacteria, and tissue. Fun!
You’ll Obviously Be Bleeding When You Have Your Period
The most obvious sign that you have your period is, of course, bleeding. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, menstrual bleeding is what kickstarts your period. “When you menstruate, your body discards the monthly buildup of the lining of your uterus ,” the Office on Women’s Health explained. Then the blood and tissue move from your uterus, past the cervix and out of the vagina.
However, even though it’s totally natural and common to bleed on your period, there is such a thing as too much bleeding and that can be dangerous. According to The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, period bleeding is dangerous if it lasts longer than seven days, if you go through multiple pads or tampons in the span of an hour, or if your blood has large clots in it. If that’s the case, you’ll want to talk to your OB-GYN. However, period bleeding in itself is totally normal, and just your body’s way of staying healthy.
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Stigma Attached To Period Sex May Be A Thing Of The Past Research Suggests
Young woman holding menstruation calendar
Getty
When it comes to action between the sheets, you should feel comfortable expressing your desires to your partner without the fear of being judged. Representation is so important and seeing other people talk about and normalize bodies and actions makes a massive difference. However, period sex may be the final sexual taboo. Conversations about sex during your monthly bleed may not be going on but a study has found that the majority of people have had sex on their period and some even said they prefer it. Some symptoms of PMS may make you want to curl up on the sofa and forget about sex for a week of the month. However, if you do feel particularly turned on around the time of your period youre not alone.
Womens health brand INTIMINA wanted to access peoples views on period sex to establish whether archaic taboos were stopping people from feeling empowered in the bedroom. Many negative connotations attached to period sex branch from the idea that its dirty or dangerous but thats absolutely not the case. INTIMINA spoke to 500 people between the ages of 18 and 50 and found that 82% of women have sex on their period. Research suggests that sex alleviates some symptoms of PMS, like cramping, and you have natural lubrication. 58% said they enjoy having period sex and only 10% said they find it disgusting.
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.
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Can You Get Pregnant On Your Period With Birth Control
Unfortunately, no method of birth control method is 100% effective. So if you use a condom on your period, it breaks and you are fertile directly after your period, there is still a risk of pregnancy – although this is extremely unlikely. If you are using hormonal birth control, then the monthly bleeding you may experience is not in fact a period, its called a withdrawal bleed. Since hormonal birth control works by stopping ovulation, you will not have a fertile window in the same way as with non-hormonal birth control. If youre using Natural Cycles as a birth control method – then you will know your own fertile window.
Sexual Health And Pregnancy Risks
You can still get pregnant during your period and people who don’t want that should protect against it with birth control, says Dr Tan.
“It’s probably less likely for the majority of people, but not an absolute rule.
“Sometimes bleeding is not actually proper menstrual period, it’s just irregular bleeding, so ovulation could be occurring. Sometimes people’s cycles are shorter or longer than they expect, and sperm can last a number of days in the pelvic cavity.”
You are also still at risk of STIs during your period, so practising safe sex is important.
Dr Tan says there are some concerns that because blood is involved, there could be an increased risk of blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis.
“Have your partner wear a condom or dental dam so you can reduce the odds,” Ms Grace says.
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