Is it OK to have sex during periods? Or is it unhealthy and should it be avoided? Can you hurt yourself if you have sex during your period? Is pregnancy possible during your period? Questions every girl has right from the time she starts getting her period and often until much later in life too. Get all your answers here.
Can you get pregnant during your period?
Yes, absolutely. However, it is highly unlikely and conception rarely occurs during menstruation. There are a few scenarios under which pregnancy during menstruation can occur. The most common are as follows:
- If your periods last for five to seven days, then there is a possibility that you are still bleeding while your new ovulation cycle is beginning. This means that there is a likelihood of getting pregnant, however small.
- Sometimes, vaginal bleeding may occur for reasons other than menstruation. In that case, your ovulation cycle is still on and conception is a possibility.
To Do It or Not to Do It
Sex During Periods – To Do It or Not to Do It
Now we get to the real meat of the issue. Is sex during periods OK? Yes, absolutely. There is no reason whatsoever on the health front to not have sex while you are on your period. However, you or your partner may have inhibitions about it for several reasons based on individual belief systems.
- Some religions will not allow women into holy places or let them participate in rituals when they are on their period. This has, over the centuries, been twisted into more than it is, making women feel like they are dirty, impure and not good enough for god when they are on their period. Growing up with such deeply rooted belief systems can make you feel dirty even if you turn out to not be a very religious person. You may feel like it is unhygienic to have sex during your period. Or your partner may feel that way and not want to have sex with you.
- Sex is messy, and it can get even messier when you are on your period. Perhaps it puts you or even your partner off. Some men cannot bear the sight of blood on their penis, which is exactly what would happen if you had sex during your period. This is actually one of the primary reasons that people in general prefer to not have sex during periods. Women themselves are put off by it more than men and over 50% of women will strongly object to getting down and dirty when on their period.
- Periods can be an uncomfortable time for some women what with the bloating, cramping and headaches, not to mention the mood swings Definitely not things that make you feel sexy.
So as you can see, sex during periods is actually an entirely personal issue. You are only limited by your own inhibitions.
Communication is the key to better sex, whether during your periods or at any other time. If it is you that has inhibitions about sex during periods, then discuss it with your partner. It is very likely that by talking about it, you will both feel much more at ease and will be more open to the idea. If even after discussing it the idea is repulsive to either of you, then don’t push to make it happen.
How to Make Sex During Periods Less of a Mess
- Don’t have sex on the day of your heaviest bleeding.
- In case you are overly worried about the ‘mess’, have a bath before sex and then right after. Having a bath on your period will stem the flow for some time and you’ll get that much-needed boost to make you feel sexy again. You can also turn off the lights while you are having sex. This way, no one has to see the blood if that is the main issue for either of you.
- Since most women and men are worried about the mess during sex, take measures to reduce it. Use a condom as that makes things a whole lot easier, especially for the guys.
- Place a towel underneath you if you are worried about messing up your sheets. Unfortunately, you’ll have to put off adventurous sex in the kitchen or on the dining table as those can be harder to clean up.
- Keep wet tissues handy. This will allow you to clean up discreetly right after sex and also if things get too messy during.
- If you have the option available, use a diaphragm or a menstrual cup.
- As much as possible, avoid positions where you have to be upright. Positions that involve you lying down like missionary will be much more effective at keeping things cleaner. Upright positions would stimulate menstrual flow. However, don’t let these things get in the way of having fun. Remember that even if things get too messy, you can always clean it up later. Just try being in the moment.
- If you really cannot stand the idea of messing up your towels or sheets, have sex in the shower.
- Receiving oral sex during periods can be a real put off for both you and your man. So maybe try and avoid having him performing oral sex on you while you are on your period. However, you can still use your vibrator during your periods so why not have him use it on you instead? Just make sure to wash it well.
Great Reasons to Have Sex on your Period
If you are in two minds about having sex during your periods, then here are a few compelling reasons to get your groove on even when Aunt Flo comes to visit.
- If you are in a long-term, committed relationship and condoms are your contraception of choice but you prefer having sex without them, then you have the opportunity to do just that when you have your period. Although condoms are much thinner nowadays and most people don’t mind using them, you have to admit that there are a while bunch of sensations that arise without the latex between the two of you. However, know this should only be an option if you are in a trusting sexual relationship as you are still very much at risk of sexually transmitted diseases if you are indulging in sex with multiple partners.
- Sex during periods can help to alleviate the discomfort and pain that arises from cramps and bloating. The chemicals released in your brain after orgasm will act as natural drugs and reduce both emotional and physical symptoms of periods.
- You’ll have better orgasms if you have sex during your period because your genitals are more engorged with blood, which translates into stronger orgasms and more profound sensations.
Things You can Do Besides Intercourse
If the idea of penovaginal sex puts you off, then here are a few other ideas of how to keep the flame alive.
Foreplay Only: You can avoid penetration all together and instead indulge in only touching, teasing, kissing and playing with each other’s bodies. Keep your panties on if it makes you more comfortable – that can also be quite erotic for him.
Talking about Sex: So you don’t feel up to having sex during your period. But you’ll be good to go in just a few days. Talk to your partner about what you’d like to do to him or have him do to you the next time you have sex. The verbal sex can be very titillating and the fact that you have to wait for it is a sexual anticipation that is a turn on in itself.
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