Can you have sex during your period? Benefits, myths and good advice
Many of us have been taught that menstruation is something we should keep to ourselves, and that sex during menstruation is inconvenient, disgusting, and perhaps even dangerous.
This belief actually goes all the way back to ancient Greece, where Pliny the Elder, among others, believed that men could drop dead if they had sex with a menstruating woman (seriously!).
Let's get one thing straight: Sex during menstruation is in no way dangerous.
On the contrary, for some, sex during menstruation can be both pleasant, pain-relieving, and intimate.
In this article you will get a guide to:
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What happens in the body during sex during menstruation
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what benefits can there be
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and some good advice on how to make it more comfortable.
The article is written by Emma Libner, author, vagina activist and sexologist.
The short answer: Is it safe to have sex during menstruation?
Yes, it is completely safe to have sex during menstruation if you want to.
There is no medical reason to avoid sex during menstruation. For some, sex can actually help relieve symptoms like menstrual cramps and tension.
However, it is still important to remember:
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Sexually transmitted diseases can still be transmitted
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Pregnancy can still occur (although the risk is often lower)
Therefore, it may still be a good idea to use protection.
Orgasms can help with menstrual cramps
From a medical perspective, there's nothing wrong with having sex when you're on your period. In fact, quite the opposite.
Sex during your period – either with yourself or a partner – can help with some of the symptoms that often accompany menstruation.
This applies, for example, to menstrual pain in the form of headaches and cramps , which affects up to 90% of all menstruating women.
👉 Curious about why menstrual cramps occur? Read the article here.
When you have sex, your brain releases a lot of endorphins , which both give you a euphoric feeling and act as the body's natural pain reliever.
Some people also find that orgasms can relieve menstrual cramps. This is partly because the muscle movements during an orgasm are followed by a deep relaxation of the muscles around the uterus.
One could therefore be tempted to say that sex – and in particular a good orgasm – can function a bit like nature's own Panadol . That's why sex with yourself counts just as much - an orgasm is an orgasm, and it just might work on your menstrual pain.
👉 Read 10 healthy reasons to have sex with yourself
Your period can make you more horny
Another surprising aspect of menstruation is that many people experience increased sex drive when they bleed. Maybe you've experienced this yourself. And maybe you've even thought that it feels a little wrong to be super horny when you're menstruating.
It's not.
Science does not have a single answer to why this happens, but several things may play a role.
During menstruation, there is often increased blood flow to the lower abdomen , which can make the area more sensitive.
Your hormones can also play a role. At the beginning of your cycle, levels of hormones like estrogen and testosterone increase, both of which can affect desire and sexual energy.
There may also be psychological factors at play. Maybe having sex during your period feels a bit forbidden – and therefore more exciting. Or maybe it's liberating to know that the risk of pregnancy is typically lower than at other times of the cycle.
Both are perfectly valid reasons to have sex during menstruation.
Remember, however, that sexually transmitted diseases can still be transmitted , and that the risk of pregnancy is never zero.
👉 Can you get pregnant during your period? Read the answer here.
Good advice for sex during menstruation
If you feel like having sex during your period, some small practical tricks can make the experience more relaxed:
1) Place a towel under you
Place a dark towel under you or invest in a wet bed sheet.
In larger sex shops you can also get sheets designed specifically for sex, which can be used both during menstruation and for other wet pleasures such as squirting.
However, a towel is often sufficient – and in the worst case, bed linen can be washed.
2) Find a comfortable position
During menstruation, the cervix often hangs a little lower.
It can affect how different sex positions feel.
Therefore, consider which positions feel best for you – and tell your partner.
3) Move the sex to the bathroom
If the idea of cleaning up after sex seems overwhelming, the bathroom may be an obvious place.
During the shower, you don't have to worry about stains on your bedding, and the water can also feel relaxing for your body.
4) Focus on external stimulation
Sex is much more than penetration. Try experimenting with other forms of stimulation:
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hands
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vibrators
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touch without penetration
Let your imagination run wild and see what feels good.
5) Menstrual pads can be used during sex
A menstrual pad may also be an option.
Unlike a menstrual cup, the disc is flat and soft and can therefore be used during penetrative sex while it holds the blood.
However, it is important to remember that a menstrual disc does not protect against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases .
6) Talk to your partner
Do you feel more like having sex during your period? Or not at all?
The cultural narrative about menstruation still makes it difficult for many to talk openly about the subject – even in relationships.
Therefore, one of the best pieces of advice is to talk openly about your needs and boundaries .
In this way, you both give your partner the opportunity to understand you better and at the same time create a language for your own experiences.
And remember: There are no wrong feelings related to your period.
7) Have a pair of menstrual panties ready for after-parties
Menstrual panties are brilliant post-sex in general - none of us like to do the ✨bowl ✨ under our vagina while we waddle to the bathroom.
A pair of absorbent panties on: No problem when a child suddenly calls for the toilet and you have to stand bent over and put it back on while it runs down your leg.
But when you suddenly have both your period and potential semen, absorbent panties are the absolute best hack. You can find the full range of menstrual panties here.
Benefits of sex during menstruation
Although many people still associate menstruation with something private or troublesome, sex during menstruation can actually have several positive effects. Some experience, among other things:
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Menstrual pain relief – we mention it again, but remember that the body can make its own natural painkillers. Orgasms release endorphins, which have a pain-relieving effect
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Relaxation in the body – orgasms cause the muscles in the uterus to relax after contractions
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Increased desire and sensitivity – increased blood flow to the lower abdomen can make the area more sensitive
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Natural lubrication – menstrual blood can act as a form of natural lubrication
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Better mood – sex releases hormones like dopamine and oxytocin, which can provide well-being
However, it is important to remember that the experience varies from person to person. Some people have more desire during menstruation, while others prefer peace and rest – both are completely normal.
Sex during menstruation – it's just blood
It is important to emphasize that there is no right or wrong when it comes to menstruation and sex during menstruation.
It's okay to feel like fucking like rabbits on day 2 of your period.
And it's also okay to not want any kind of physical contact at all. This applies regardless of whether you're bleeding or not.
And it's perhaps worth remembering that all forms of sex involve secretions of some kind. Just think about how important it is to be wet in order to have penetrative sex. Or about semen, which in many sexual contexts is a welcome guest in the bedroom.
If we consider menstrual blood as just another bodily fluid that appears in our sex lives, maybe we can - if we want to - start sharing it with others without shame. It's just blood, after all.
FAQ: Sex during menstruation
Can you have sex during menstruation?
Yes. There are no medical reasons to avoid sex during menstruation if you wish.
Can you get pregnant during menstruation?
It is less likely, but not impossible. Sperm can survive in the body for several days, and if ovulation occurs early in the cycle, pregnancy can still occur.
Can sex help with menstrual cramps?
Yes, for some, orgasms can relieve pain because the body releases endorphins and the muscles subsequently relax.
Is it unhygienic to have sex during menstruation?
No. Menstrual blood is a natural bodily fluid and not dangerous.
