Can I have sex during the menstrual cycle? Does sex affect the menstrual cycle? These are some common questions that many women have when considering having sex during their periods.
There have been mixed opinions about sex and menstruation for a long time. Some think having sex during periods can alleviate cramps and help relax the body. Others believe that sex during periods can increase blood flow and consider it dirty.
In this article, we’ll delve deep into the relationship between sex and menstruation and uncover the truth behind having sex during your menstruation.
Does Sex Affect the Menstrual Cycle?
This is a major misconception many people have regarding sex during menstrual cycles. The answer to this question is NO. Having sex during your period does not affect your menstrual cycle in any way.
On the contrary, sex during menstruation can have some positive effects on your body. So, unless you feel uncomfortable, you can have sex with your partner, even during your periods.
What Are the Benefits?
Having sex during your menstrual cycle has no negative effect on your body. However, they might have some positive effects on your physical and emotional well-being. Here are some of those benefits.
Relief from cramps
Your menstruation results from your uterus trying to expel the endometrial lining through contractions. An orgasm also causes contractions in your uterine muscles, which can help you relieve menstrual cramps.
Having sex also helps release endorphins, one of the happy hormones. This can make you feel good and happy and helps take your mind off the cramps and discomfort.
Shorter periods
Having sex during menstrual cycles can sometimes make your periods shorter than normal. Your uterus releases uterine contents through muscle contractions. The uterine contractions you get during sex can help expel the uterine linings faster, thus making your period shorter.
Increased sex drive
The sex drive urges are different for each woman during their ovulation cycle. Some women experience an increased sex drive during ovulation when their egg has just been released. This is to facilitate fertilization and pregnancy.
However, some women may also experience increased sex drive during menstruation. It differs for each of them.
Natural lubrication
You don’t have to be scared of painful or rough sex during your periods. Your blood acts as a natural lubricant, ensuring you don’t experience forceful intercourse.
It might relieve migraine attacks
Most women with migraine have a higher chance of experiencing migraine attacks during their period. Although most women avoid sex during their period, some have reported that sex helps relieve migraine attacks during periods.
What Are the Side Effects?
Having sex during menstrual cycles does not have any serious side effects. There are only three things you might possibly worry about if you wish to have sex during menstruation.
1. You might feel dirty
You will be bleeding during your periods. This might create a mess on the bed, bedsheets, you, and your partner. The sight of blood might be unsettling to some and might take away your interest in having sex at the time.
2. There are chances of passing STIs
This is another side effect of having sex during periods. Though the possibilities are less, there are chances that sometimes your menstrual blood contains viruses like hepatitis.
This virus can be transmitted to the male partner during intercourse and result in them contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
3. Having tampons on during sex might be a bad choice
Do you use tampons instead of menstrual pads? Then, make sure you remove your tampon before having sex. Having your tampon on while intercourse can push your tampon far inside your vagina. If that happens, you might have to visit a doctor to take it out.
Do You Need Protection?
Yes, it is best to have your partner wear a contraceptive while having sex during your period. This is mainly to avoid them contracting STIs since the hepatitis virus may be in your menstrual blood.
You might also want to wear protection if you want to prevent pregnancy. Though the chances of pregnancy after ovulation are less, it is best not to take any chances.
Ask your partner to wear a high-quality latex condom when you have sex to avoid STIs or pregnancy. You can visit your nearest Fertility Clinic or ask a doctor for other contraceptives if you or your partner are allergic to latex materials.
Tips on Having Sex During Your Period
Want to make sex feel comfortable and enjoyable during your periods? Then, follow the tips listed below.
- Talk with your partner. Make sure both of you are comfortable about having sex during your menstrual cycle.
- You can spread out a dark-colored sheet on your bed to avoid it from becoming a bloody mess. (Pro tip: Have sex in the shower or bathtub. This prevents the mess entirely.)
- Remove your tampon before sex to prevent it from going too far inside your vagina.
- Make sure your partner wears contraceptives to prevent chances of STIs and pregnancy.
- Keep a wet cloth by the side to clean up after sex.
Can Sex and Your Menstrual Cycle Regulate Each Other?
Yes, sexual activity can regulate your menstrual cycle in a way. Intercourse can cause hormonal changes in your body by releasing oxytocin and endorphins, the happy hormones. This can help you reduce stress and make premenstrual signs less noticeable.
Sexual activity also stimulates the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes also help regulate menstrual cycles and make them predictable.
Conclusion
Having sex with your partner is a normal activity, and your menstrual cycle doesn’t affect it in any way. As long as you and your partner are comfortable, you can have sex during your menstrual cycle.
Just make sure you follow the precautions and tips we discussed above to prevent STIs and other issues. Don’t worry, your sexual activity will be as enjoyable during your period as during any other day.
FAQs
The only way sexual intercourse can affect your menstrual cycle is through pregnancy. Otherwise, sex doesn’t impact when you will have your period.
Many people believe this common misconception because sexual intercourse can cause slight bleeding or spotting due to vaginal and uterine contractions. They might mistake it for menstrual bleeding.
Your sexual activity does not affect the time of your menstrual cycle in any way. You will get your period as usual. If your period is delayed, it might be due to pregnancy or other underlying issues.
You have a higher chance of pregnancy if you have intercourse right before or during ovulation. The “fertility window,” as many like to call it, is when the follicle releases the mature egg into your ovary.
Timing it right and having intercourse at this time increase the chances of sperm reaching the egg and fertilizing it.
