Sex and menstruation are not mutually exclusive, and you don't have to put your sex life on hold for a few days each month. Plus, as we normalize periods and the menstrual cycle, men are also becoming more aware that menstrual blood is not dirty or disgusting, but simply the result of a normal bodily function. So: sex during menstruation. Is it safe or not?

Here's everything you need to know about the benefits of sex during menstruation, comfortable positions, but also the risks of infection, pregnancy and side effects.

What happens if you have sex during your period?

Broadly speaking, nothing too different happens than when you have sex outside of your period. Unless it's causing you pain or discomfort, there's little reason to give up pleasure at that time of the month.

On the contrary, thanks to hormonal changes that increase your sex drive and the natural lubrication that menstrual blood creates, you may even feel better when you have sex during your period than at any other time of the month. And if you are among the women for whom an orgasm during menstruation calms abdominal cramps, you have every reason to enjoy intimate contact.

So, things are pretty similar and normal when you have sex on your cycle . The main difference is more aesthetic than medical: If you're not careful, menstrual blood can get on you, your partner, and the sheets, staining and creating a mess you'll have to clean up later.

Of course there are other risks. But as a rule, they are the same as when you have sex even if you are not on your period: pregnancy, infections, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. So let's continue to talk about these aspects as well.

Can you get pregnant if you have sex on your cycle?

Yes, you can get pregnant during your period. Sperm can survive inside the vagina for up to 5 days, so you are even more likely to get pregnant if you have a short cycle and have sex in the last days of your period.

That's why it's best to use a contraceptive method such as a condom even during this period, or not to interrupt the protection method you normally use.

Sex during menstruation - Benefits

Up to this point we have established that no, just like sports, showering or bathing, sex is not on the list of what is forbidden during menstruation. And I also said yes, it's okay and you can have safe sex as long as you do it safely, with a condom or other method of contraception, to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

But the topic is broader, because sexual intercourse during menstruation is more than permissible: it can be beneficial. For many women, the release of endorphins during orgasm has an analgesic effect and calms headaches, menstrual cramps or migraines. So now we will continue to talk about some of the main benefits of intimate contact during menstruation.

Alleviation of menstrual cramps

As I said above, during sex and especially towards the climax, the body releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. These are the substances responsible for the feeling of well-being, which is why they have an analgesic effect and can help you get rid of abdominal pain specific to menstruation, as well as emotional states, sadness or depression.

There are currently no studies in the specialized literature that prove that orgasm really reduces the intensity of menstrual cramps, but many women confirm it. So you have nothing to lose if you give it a try to find out if it works for you too.

Another important mention here is related to people suffering from endometriosis. For them, both menstruation and sex or orgasm during menstruation can be more painful. So approach the situation with delicacy and care.

However, having sex is not the only solution to get rid of menstrual pain naturally and without pills. And if it doesn't work (or if you feel like it's not for you), that's perfectly fine! You don't have to accept the pain and endure it when you have Enroush Menstrual Patches at hand. Made with 100% natural ingredients that activate and heat up on contact with air, they provide you with heat therapy for up to 8 hours, so you can quickly get rid of pain and enjoy the rest of the day without discomfort.

Increase in sexual appetite

Increased sex drive can be another effect of hormonal fluctuations before, during and after menstruation. While abdominal tenderness can be uncomfortable for some people, it can also be the reason for increased sex drive for other women

Usually, this state of arousal actually increases at ovulation, about 2 weeks before your period. But it's not at all unusual that for many other women, libido increases even more with menstruation.

Shortening of the menstrual period

Yes, one more thing that's real: it is indeed possible for sex to shorten your period.

During orgasm, the uterine muscles contract and relax. These contractions can cause the lining of the uterus to be shed more quickly, so your period can end sooner.

Natural lubrication

I mentioned above, when I was telling you what happens if you have sex on your cycle, the natural lubrication due to menstrual blood. Let's clarify this aspect a bit.

During menstruation, you shed the lining of the uterus along with the blood. Because of this, the liquid acts as a natural lubricant for the vagina. So another one may not be needed.

If that still isn't enough (usually if you're using a tampon, not an absorbent pad, which can leave your vagina dry due to the absorbency of the tampon), it's recommended to use a water-based lubricant. It is compatible with both your intimate area and the condom without damaging it.

Relief of menstrual migraines

Going back to what I was saying about the release of endorphins during sexual contact and orgasm, the same analgesic and calming effect applies to migraines as well.

Many women face such conditions on those days. And some of them avoid sex or intimacy during migraine episodes - all they want is to be quiet and get over it.

But there are studies that indicate the effect of partial or total relief of migraine effects such as nausea, headaches, fatigue, etc.

Menstrual sex tips

As between friends, let's give you some tips to keep in mind to avoid a little bloody scene that you'll have to clean up after. (Sure you can get carried away and see how you deal with cleaning, but isn't it more comfortable to spend your time in a pleasant way after orgasm than to frantically search for a solution to remove blood stains from clothes , from the bed linen and maybe even from the mattress?)

Here's what you can do to make sex during your period as pleasant, comfortable, and not leave too much of a mess behind:

Use a towel

Before you sit down on the bed, lay out a towel. Choose a dark colored one, and preferably as long as possible, so you can fold it in two or three layers for extra safety. If you have a blanket that you don't like too much, it's even better because it reduces the chances of menstrual blood seeping through it and onto the bedding. When you're done, you can quickly take them to the washing machine and everything is done with the cleaning.

If you don't have one or the other at hand and you really want to have nothing to clean up after, you can try sex in the shower or somewhere where you can quickly get rid of the "traces".

Try different positions and techniques

The missionary position is the classic choice that also works great during menstruation. Due to the gravitational effect that limits the flow of menstrual blood, you are less likely to stain the bedding too much.

As for the technical chapter, here is the time to put your imagination to work. Sex isn't all about penetration, much less an orgasm is penetration-dependent for most women. Clitoral stimulation can cause an orgasm perhaps even faster, while oral sex or manual stimulation can give your partner an experience at least as pleasurable. And so you enjoy the pleasure of intercourse without making a mess.

Communicate openly with your partner

Yes, sex is normal on your cycle , but that doesn't mean everyone has to be comfortable or okay with it. If your period increases your sensitivity to the point where it's painful, or if your partner is uncomfortable, it's just as normal to say no for a few days.

So it's essential to communicate openly and honestly both before and during period sex. If penetration becomes painful in certain positions or cramps hit you right during the act, tell your partner to decide whether to change the position, the technique, whether to stop or continue.

Ultimately, the goal is to feel good, and you need to be aware if at any point, that goal is no longer being met for either of you.

Sex during menstruation - Adverse effects

I have touched on the subject of possible pregnancy, but have not yet listed in black and white the other side effects or risks of penetrative intercourse during menstruation.

And because it's not all rosy, and the benefits aren't the only aspect you need to focus on, here are the main unpleasant things that can happen if you have sex on your period:

• Soiling the surrounding surfaces: This is the main side effect, and about the only one specific to menstruation, that you don't face if you have sex any other time. But as I said above, there are tricks, techniques, positions and solutions you can try to minimize the mess.
• Increased anxiety: Also related to getting dirty, or simply because you become more aware of yourself and your body, vulnerability and anxiety can increase and ruin your mood for sex.
• Contacting sexually transmitted infections or diseases: the risk of contacting a sexually transmitted disease remains with menstruation, just like with any other sexual contact. Hepatitis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and many others can be transmitted to a partner through infected menstrual blood, or through contact. That's why it's good to use a barrier contraceptive method, which prevents the spread.
• The appearance of pain due to vaginal dryness: as I told you above, if you use a tampon, it will absorb the menstrual fluid and, with it, the natural lubrication it provides. So to avoid pain due to vaginal dryness, it is good to use a lubricant. And if you face this problem outside of your menstrual days, I also talked HERE about everything you should know about vaginal dryness.

How to have sex during your period

As a quick summary of everything we've talked about in this article, here's how to have sex on your period safely, to best protect yourself from all possible side effects:

1. Talk openly with your partner before and after sex to make sure you're both comfortable and comfortable throughout the act.
2. Use a towel or blanket over the sheets before getting into bed, or opt for shower sex to quickly clean up the mess afterwards.
3. Choose a gravitationally advantageous position (eg missionary or spoon) to limit accidental spills on the bed.
4. Do not give up the contraceptive method you normally use to protect yourself from an unwanted pregnancy.
5. Use a condom or other barrier method to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections and diseases.
6. If you use tampons and not absorbents, make sure you are well lubricated or use a water-based lubricant to prevent pain from vaginal dryness.