A menstrual cycle is a very complex and fine-tuned part of reproductive health. Because of its complexity, it can also be confusing to figure out how to time sex to minimize or achieve pregnancy.
The purpose of the menstrual cycle is reproduction.
Ovulation usually occurs around the halfway point of the menstrual cycle. But, this is highly variable among women since their cycle lengths can vary greatly.
Once the egg is released, the luteal phase of the cycle begins. This phase is when the egg would become fertilized if the pregnancy was achieved.
Regardless of whether or not an egg is fertilized, the body prepares for pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining. If pregnancy is not achieved, the uterus contracts to shed that lining, which results in a menstrual period.
The first day of menstrual bleeding (menstruation) signifies the first day of the next menstrual cycle.
Can you have sex during your period?
Having period sex is an entirely personal decision impacted by the woman and her partner’s comfort levels.
The main deterrent for many people is that menstrual blood will be present, which can make period sex much messier than sex outside of your period.
Having period sex carries the same risks as non-period sex, such as transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STI) and pregnancy risk.
It primarily comes down to comfort level with menstrual blood and how they feel during their period.
Some women have slower menstrual flows and may have very minimal menstrual blood, making period sex less messy and off-putting. Other women may have very heavy flows and choose to abstain from period sex until it slows down or until their menstruation is over.
Why is period sex “taboo”?
Period sex might be considered taboo by some because of the presence of menstrual blood. People who are squeamish, think blood is “gross,” or don’t want to deal with the mess are better off avoiding period sex.
You might be wondering if you can have sex with a tampon in to avoid the mess. It’s not a good idea to do that since the partner can push the tampon further into the vagina, making it harder to remove.
What are the benefits?
The main benefit of having sex during menstruation is being able to continue being intimate with your partner and not having to take a break from having sexual intercourse for your period.
Having an orgasm releases serotonin, a hormone that promotes bonding. Sexual activity is even associated with improved cardiovascular health!
Pregnancy risk while on your period is relatively low compared to other times during the menstrual cycle. This, therefore, makes it a preferred time to have penetrative sex for those wanting to avoid pregnancy.
Having intercourse may reduce menstrual cramps in some women because it’s pleasurable and releases endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that can promote happiness and relaxation.
Endorphins can also act as a natural pain reliever, while sex is also a good distraction from period pain.
Menstrual blood can act as a natural lubricant, which can increase pleasure for both partners.
In addition, sexual desire can be higher for some women during their period. This can make it more enjoyable compared to other parts of the menstrual cycle.
Possible side effects
Sexual activity and achieving orgasm cause the uterus to contract, which can worsen cramps during menstruation in some women.
Like unprotected sex during other parts of the menstrual cycle, there is a risk for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Those wanting to avoid pregnancy should use a form of birth control, and those wishing to prevent transmission of STIs should use a barrier form of protection such as condoms during intercourse.
Pregnancy Risk
A woman may bleed or spot during or before ovulation, which is the most fertile window for pregnancy. If you mistake ovulation bleeding or spotting for a period and have unprotected sex, your chance of pregnancy is much higher than if you were actually on your period.
Sperm can live in the body for up to five days. If they have a shorter menstrual cycle, that means they might ovulate early, which is the time when they can become pregnant.
The lowest risk for pregnancy is 24 hours after ovulation since the egg is already released and only survives for 12-24 hours after it isn’t fertilized.
Typically, this occurs over a week before the period. This, therefore, makes period sex riskier pregnancy-wise compared to the window between ovulation and the period starting.
Related Read: Does peeing after sex prevent pregnancy?
Do you need to use protection?
If you don’t usually use protection during sexual intercourse, there is no need to use it specifically during period sex.
STIs travel through any type of bodily fluid, including vaginal fluid during non-period sex. So you aren’t at higher risk for STIs during period sex than other times during the menstrual cycle.
Whether you use protection and what type of protection you use depends on your willingness to risk pregnancy or STIs.
If you wish to avoid pregnancy but know you and your partner don’t have STIs, then hormonal birth control may be a good option for you.
Many people prefer to avoid hormonal contraceptives and choose to use physical barriers such as condoms even if they aren’t at risk for STI transmission.
Talk with your partner about what you’re comfortable with and willing to risk to help you decide what type of, if any, protection to use during period sex.
Top tips for safe period sex
Understanding the menstrual cycle is one of the best ways to make informed decisions regarding pregnancy risk.
Charting your basal body temperature (BBT) allows you to gain more insight into your normal cycle patterns because temperatures rise and fall in a way that will enable you to identify when you ovulate.
If you want to avoid pregnancy, the safest option is to use some sort of birth control method during penetrative sex. Unless you are very confident in your knowledge of your menstrual cycle and ovulation date.
To avoid STIs, the only forms of birth control you should use are either a male or female condom. There is still a risk for STI transmission even with condoms.
To minimize the mess, you might consider using a menstrual disc or cup designed for use during sex. The menstrual cup is inserted into the vagina and collects period blood while still allowing penetrative sex.
The use of menstrual cups and discs doesn’t protect against STIs or pregnancy as they aren’t forms of birth control.
You may also consider shower sex during menstruation. This can help minimize the mess from bleeding and save your sheets from stains.
Conclusion
Having sex during a period might sound unappealing, but it can be enjoyable and safe for many.
Whether or not you choose to have sex on your period depends on your comfort level and your partner’s comfort level.
Plus, the risks you’re both willing to take in terms of pregnancy and the chance for sexually transmitted infections.
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