The term “period sex” can have a lot of people running in the opposite direction, covering their ears in horror. A lot of women might even wonder who in their right mind would want to have sex when they’re suffering from cramps, mood swings, bloating, and the worst of all, bleeding. This doesn’t mean that everyone is averse to period sex though, and a 2012 study by a group of researchers in Netherlands even found that high sexual arousal can override our natural disgust response when it comes to having period sex. In fact, it is reported that around 30% of sexually active people indulge in period sex, so it’s not all that bad. It is certainly understandable that some women don’t want to even think about sex, let alone engage in it, but for those who wonder if it’s possible, the answer is yes. Here are some facts about period sex that might change the way you think about it:
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It Doesn’t Have To Be A Complete Mess
One of the main reasons people want to avoid sex during their period is because they don’t want a gush of blood to ruin the sheets (and the mood) during the actual act. However, though it might seem like a lot during the cycle, the average amount of blood released during menstruation is 30-40 milliliters throughout the 4-5 days, which is quite small. This means that sex definitely doesn’t have to be the bloodbath you think it might be, and you might not even see blood during penetration. You can always put dark towels over the bed to stop the sheets from staining, or indulge in shower sex because it’s self-cleaning and enjoyable for both of you.
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No Increased Pain, Cramping And Bleeding
Pain and cramping are due to the uterus contracting as it expels the blood from the body. The uterus does this due to the natural chemicals released by the body, and there is no reason to believe that sex causes more pain than what is already present due to the contractions. Moreover, the bleeding on average for each woman is 30-40 milliliters, which is predetermined, and having sex will not cause more or heavier bleeding than usual.
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Does Not Increase The Risk Of Bacterial Infection
Though this is a widely held belief, there is nothing that increases the risk of infection during your period if you have sex. Unless there is an already existing potential for infection, such as prolonged use of a tampon or a pad (more than 8 hours), the chances of infections, such as a yeast infection, are rare.
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Wearing A Condom Can Still Be Beneficial
It’s always helpful for both partners to wear a condom, especially if the idea of period sex still isn’t so hot for you. There might still be apprehension about the mess of exchanging these bodily fluids, but wearing a condom can minimize the mess and the stress for both partners. Moreover, you can still transmit and catch STD’s from your partner when you have sex without a condom, especially diseases like HIV or syphilis, and a condom still protects against these.
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Your Partner Might Even Like It!
The very thought of mixing blood and sex together might seem like a turnoff for both men and women, but it needn’t really be that bad. In fact, women can feel aroused during their cycle, and this is a natural phenomenon. Sometimes, they may feel even more aroused than usual when on their period! Women also shouldn’t assume that their partner will automatically be turned off by the idea of period sex. All couples and individuals are different, and if both partners have mutual consent, there is no need to feel ashamed or awkward about it.
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Your Cervix Becomes Lower
Your cervix has nerve endings that can lead to sexual pleasure, and some women like having sex at this time. Other women however don’t like the feeling of something bumping up against their cervix so it’s all about individual preferences.
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You Can Still Get Pregnant
Though the chances are somewhat small, there is still a chance of becoming pregnant even on your period. Sperm can live up to 7 days inside the body, and if a woman has a short cycle, the egg that is released can still be fertilized. Women who have a regular cycle are a little less likely to become pregnant during their period, however, as compared to women whose cycles are irregular.
