Period Sex: Your guide to having pleasure in pain

Talking about periods alone is still a taboo in our society. And sex? Better not utter that word loudly in public (hush).
But it's time to break that taboo. Let's stir up a conversation about period sex.

So, what exactly is period sex?

The phrase, ‘period sex’ implies sexual activity during your menstruation.

Sounds messy?

Well, it might be a bit messy. But do you know the perks of having sex during your periods?

Let's look at it :

• No need for lubricants: You can forget all about applying lubricants as your menstrual blood acts as a natural lubricant.
• Less pain: It’s a fact that orgasms can relieve you from menstrual cramps. Our uterus contracts to release its linings resulting in painful cramps. Also, credit goes to the high levels of the hormone, prostaglandins, which intensify menstrual cramps. Orgasms help in the contraction of the muscles of the uterus, bringing some relief to you from the cramps.
• Most women suffer from headaches during their menstruation. If you're one of them, you'll be happy to learn that sex during your periods might help you to get some relief from migraines and headaches.
• Heard about the ‘love hormones’ right? We're talking about endorphins and serotonin. During sex, these feel-good hormones activate the pleasure centers in your brain. This, in turn, gives you some relaxation from the pain and discomfort during periods.
• Period sex often results in shorter periods, ie, the duration of your periods decreases. As the muscle contractions that happen during orgasm help the uterine contents to flow easily.
• Now, coming to the most exciting part, intercourse during your periods can be more fun than your normal routine. Yes, you heard that right! The hormone fluctuations during menstruation and your swollen vagina and vulva can arouse sensitivity that will make sex more pleasurable.

 Sex itself has some risks which we should take into account but things might go south during your period sex if you do not keep a few things in your mind.

There is the possibility of a mess during your period sex. But that cannot halt your desires and pleasures, right. So here are a few tips for you that you would like to follow beforehand.

• Do you want your white bedsheets to be bathed in red? Of course not! To avoid staining your bedsheets, keep a dark-colored towel on the bed.
• Even if it becomes a bit messy, keep some wet wipes or wet clothes handy to clean the mess afterward.
• It’s a good time to explore shower sex with your partner in case you want to avoid the mess entirely.
• Be creative and explore different sex positions where you and your partner both will be comfortable and where you won’t be getting heavy menstrual flow.
• Lastly, don’t forget to remove your tampons during intercourse. Penetrative sex, even if it includes fingers or sex toys, might lead to pushing the tampons deeper inside which might require a consultation with your gynecologist to remove it. Failing to remove your tampons might also lead to infections in the future.

Although, in case you’re practicing oral sex during your periods, there is no need to remove your tampons. 

Well, if you’re into using reusable menstrual cups, it is definitely advisable to remove them before sex. One common myth is that these reusable cups can be used as a contraceptive device. Not true. They are sturdy and long-lasting, and based on silicone. These cups sit lower in the vaginal canal, away from the cervix. So, again for the people in the back, it is not safe to use them during period sex.

On the other hand, things are a bit different for disposable cups. They are designed to be positioned below the cervix and are made up of soft materials. So, one might consider using them only if you’re comfortable with them.

Now, it is time to break some myths!

The biggest myth is that you cannot get pregnant while you’re menstruating!

You can get pregnant even during your periods though the probability of it is quite low compared to other stages of your menstrual cycle. It is a fact that over 30% of women face irregular periods. If your cycle is short, like, 22 days, you might ovulate early. Remember, sperms can be alive for seven days in your body! So, it is not surprising if you conceive. Thus, it is preferable to use a period tracker to be aware of your dates beforehand.

It is important that you practice safe sex while you are menstruating. To avoid unwanted pregnancies, take appropriate birth control measures, like, the use of condoms during intercourse, diaphragm or intrauterine devices, or birth control pills. It is always good to consult your doctor to know what suits you best.

Apart from unwanted pregnancies, you should be well aware of the fact that unprotected sex, even during your periods, might lead to sexually transmitted infections, or, in short, STIs.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, commonly which we say HIV, can reside in menstrual blood. So, it is not uncommon to get transmitted. Thus, using protection is a must. Condoms for both men and women are out there along with other options.

For more information on HIV and other kinds of Vaginal Infections, click here

With all the pros and cons, the most important thing to remember is that communication is the key. Talk to your partner about how you feel about period sex and also ask them how they feel. If there’s any sort of discomfort or hesitations, clear them out. Some may not like the concept of period sex entirely while for some other people period sex is more pleasurable than their regular ones.

Your sexual pleasures shouldn’t be halted because of the mess and embarrassment, right! It is time to embrace the natural process of your body and your desires.