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Sex On The Crimson Wave
Having Sex During Your Period
Lisa S. Lawless, RM, CEO


Is It Okay To Do?

Yes, and it is really a matter of personal preference as to
whether you chose to do it. During a normal sexual experience a
woman's natural lubrication often gets on her and her partner and
the fact that it is mixed with blood during her period is more
about personal preference and potential for staining clothing or
sheets than whether it is right or wrong..

Women are often discouraged in our society to do anything to get
dirty and menstrual blood is often seen as unclean, which it is
not. Again it really comes down to It personal preference.



Is It Beneficial?

For many women sex during their period is beneficial. Women have
found experiencing orgasm(s) during their menstrual period
relieves menstrual cramps. This is because the uterine
contractions of orgasm helps to expel the menstrual fluid and
relieves some of the muscular tension in the muscles of the
uterus, caused by the hormone prostaglandin.

Many women rely on masturbation to produce their orgasm(s),
feeling they are or should be unattractive to their partner at
this time. Others just are not in the mood for partner sex, in an
active role, but know the benefits of orgasm.

Some women experience a marked increase in their libido during
their menstrual period and as a result crave partner sex. While
some postpone sex until after their period others aggressively
seek out a partner.

An increased sex drive during this time is the result of hormonal
changes and perhaps because a woman knows she is not pregnant,
and is much less likely to become pregnant during her period.

Some men and women are attracted to menstrual blood and desire
their partner the most when they are menstruating. Usually there
is an aversion to oral sex, cunnilingus during this time,
however, some people do not have an aversion to this. If you
desire performing cunnilingus during a woman's period, it is
perfectly okay. Again, it is truly a personal preference.
Remember That All STD Rules Still Apply.



Can You Get Pregnant?

Yes, while a woman is least likely to get pregnant during her
period, she can. During menstruation a woman's body is flushing
out both the unfertilized egg and the lining her body prepared
for the possibility of a fertilized egg, so it is quite difficult
to get pregnant during this time. Yet it is not impossible.

Sperm can reside inside of a woman's body for several days after
sex, and a very slim chance exists that these several days will
extend into the beginning of a woman's fertile period. The
greater risk involved with having unprotected sex during a
woman's period is that she has mistaken spotting or other
midcycle bleeding for her period. If this is the case, then a
woman may be having unprotected sex at a time when she is very
much fertile.

It is also essential to remember that menstruation does not
protect either partner from contracting HIV or a STD! Both
menstrual blood and vaginal secretions can transmit STDs and HIV,
exposing the partner of any HIV+ woman to greater risk.

Also, many women with Herpes experience flare-ups during
menstruation, making themselves more vulnerable to HIV or other
STD infection through open sores and their partner more
vulnerable to Herpes. There is also some debate over whether sex
during menstruation exposes a woman to higher risk of pelvic
inflammatory disease.

Also See:

Index of Relationships & Marriage

Better Sex & Sexuality Issues

Women's Health & Women's Issues

 

Our Health and Wellness Center