Can I have Sex during Periods?

We're always looking at new studies on sex and reaching out to experts for their insight on how to make things healthier and hotter between the sheets, on the contrary, periods for a woman can prove to be a breathtaking experience. The moment a woman hears the word 'menstruation', it's a mixed feeling, some remember scented flowers, hot bags, sweating, headaches, chocolates, and what not! What if we mix the two, we bring two of these different topics on one pedestal? 

A lot of women have this query - 'Can I have sex during periods?' It's a genuine feeling to have this fear that something might go wrong in this crucial time when one is going through heavy flow, bodily changes, hormone changes, few might experience traumatic episodes and anxiety. Periods in itself is a large concept, each person's experience varies and matters. 

There is also a fair population of women for whom the existence of menstrual cycles hardly affects anything, for them, it's a 'la la land' story filled with relaxation techniques, joy, and blossoms! They might want to explore a new dimension and twist in their sex stories, and the amount of risky it sounds, the more fun it is; sex during periods is no less than an adventure but it should be practiced safe to do with precautionary measures. Remember girls, your comfort should be the priority, and it should be your decision first whether you want to try something as sexual intimacy during menstruation or not, and not being persuaded by your partner's choice, manipulation, and decision. The primary step of sex during periods is 'consent'. Sex during periods might get nasty, feel dirty but your intentions shouldn't be. Your intentions should be as clear as a mirror, that is not to hurt each other in that process of sexual intercourse.

Protections and taking it slow are a must at this time that results in safe sex full of orgasms. You need to take care of your partner the most in this phase, where there is a curiousity to explore and experiment with your sex life, some try sex during periods because orgasm is easy to reach, muscle stretches, relaxes, expands it's like a rythmic cycle.

Sex can make you feel good in more than one way. There’s the obvious physical benefit, and then the less obvious: pain relief. During arousal and orgasm, the hypothalamus in the brain releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin. Sex is supposed to be fun; everyone knows that. One might think, why does a person want to do a sexual activity or something such sort of physical exercise that too during periods? But there are many whose sex drives are mostly high during the monthly cycle only, and it's absolutely normal to have this feeling of getting pampered and nurtured by someone. The act itself is a stress buster. Sex during periods doesn't need lubes, because there is a lot of natural lube present already.

Having lighthearted fun about sex, even if you’re just talking about it, makes it less of a taboo topic and more of a common lifestyle choice and so is having sex during periods should be treated. The only thing you need to take care of is 'hygiene'. There is NO reason why sex should be something ordinary. Couples should try out ways to make it extraordinary in every way possible, be it any gender. Let yourself loose, let's not bound ourselves in having sex on selected days only. Controlling sex arousals and planning on your favourite days to get cozy with your partner is more of a task than having sex during periods! 

Most of the sites on the internet, obviously will hike up your fear and exaggerate this notion of having sex during periods more than needed. But it's all about a game where each step should be taken carefully!

There is nothing “dirty” or dangerous about menstrual blood. In this fast processing world of science and technology, it's well proven that the hormones released during orgasm can help to reduce menstrual cramps. 

Try out tampons and not dental dams to experience the best sex of your life during periods, keep tissues along side; only these basic tips to get-go period sex ready and enjoy the moment. 

Sex can involve all different types of fluids: everyone experience that and excretions—arousal fluid (being 'wet'), ejaculate ('cum'), sweat, sometimes urine, and even fecal matter (if you’re exploring the anus)—so menstrual blood shouldn’t deter somebody from intercourse, a little bit of getting messy which in return is offering so many benefits; only makes sex better and something worth having. On the other hand, just because your body is eliminating your uterine lining and the egg is not fertilized doesn't mean you can't get pregnant while you have your periods. 

To count a few benefits of having period sex, one of the most impactful things is it can shorter periods. The blood flow act as a natural lubricant, but stick to light days, if you know that days 3 to 5 of your period are lighter, try having sex on those days. A little bit of pre-planning wouldn't harm anyone, always clean your genitals, feel comfortable, pause, and take your time, don't rush off, be it period sex or without any menstrual flow. It can help you reduce the amount of mess along with anxiety. 

Still, in the end, it depends on you. What do you like, what are your preferences for any challenge you might take up to spice up your sex life. The decision here should be consensual. It is important to respect your partner’s feelings and beliefs. Not everyone enjoys period sex, so talk to your partner ahead of time, choose a safe, neat, and clean place to try out period sex, and find out how your partner feels. As much as we make fun a priority in our lives, to remove boredom out. Hygiene and safety are also the essences of life!

Also read "Three myths society tells us about periods"

(Cover photo by cottonbro from Pexels)