Sex During Period

Sex during a woman's period is something of a controversial topic for many couples and many will vary wildly regarding their views on the matter. While some think it is a perfectly natural and healthy, others will find it off putting and even a disturbing thought – or worry that it may be unhealthy or potentially damaging.

The latter is certainly not true, and while it may not be to everyone's tastes, there is nothing unhealthy or unhygienic about sex during periods. Menstrual blood is perfectly healthy and clean (as long as the person is not carrying any STDs) and the squeamishness many people feel is a result of society or of blood in general. If both of you are comfortable with sex during a period, then there is absolutely no reason not to go ahead and do so.

However there are some important points to bear in mind, some pieces of guidance, and some myths to dispel. Here we will look at some of the key points to bear in mind when having sex during a woman's period.

It can ease menstrual pain

While some may find sex during periods to be an off putting thought, there are actually a number of convincing arguments for it. Among these are the fact that some women find this is a way to ease menstrual pain and abdominal pain. In fact in some cases sex may even end your period – the reason being that orgasm can cause uterine contractions and thus more quickly shed the blood.

It is still possible to get sex

Some couples incorrectly believe that it is not possible to get pregnant during a period. This is however unfortunately untrue. Though it is far less likely, pregnancy is still a possibility during a woman's period. At the same time bleeding can occur during ovulation and this can be mistaken understandably for a period. As such it is very important that you do not see this as a time to have sex safely with no threat of pregnancy and that you continue to use contraception if you are not trying for a baby.

It can be messy

Messy isn't necessarily a bad thing, but your bedsheets might not thank you so it's a good move to have some kind of extra protection or plan. Lying down a towel can sometimes be a good move, as can having sex in other places – such as the shower. Positions can also help, and the woman in this instance may want to lie on her back while the man straddles her. You can also consider using a menstrual cup (but not a diaphragm or a cervical cap which can cause to a build up of bacteria).

You can still catch STDs

Another untrue rumor is that you can't catch STDs during a period. This is however untrue, and the man is in fact more likely to catch an STD both as there is a greater exchange of fluids and as women are more likely to experience outbreaks of herpes during their period; and the probability is also higher for a woman as the cervix opens for the blood to pass through. Always use protection.

Women will be hornier

The build up to the period and the period itself are the times when a woman is at her most horny due to the hormone fluctuations caused by the periods. This is another good reason to put squeamishness aside.

There are other things you can do

Of course if you can't get over the thought, then there are other things you can try such as using your hands or oral sex – for some the latter might sound worse than sex, but other couples do practice this. At the very least though using your hands in the shower can be a great way to give the woman some release and to help with menstrual pain.