Things to keep in mind while having sex during period

You’re a human being whose sexual needs don’t switch off when blood starts coming out of you. (If sex during your period really isn’t your thing, though, that’s cool too — more on that ahead.) Read on, bleed on, and get off to your heart’s content. To avoid stained sheets, its recommended to putting a towel down on the bed or getting busy in the shower. And don’t be concerned if you see dark red or brown clumps during or after sex; that’s just older blood, and it’s perfectly normal.

You might like it—a lot

Arousal is different for every woman, and some may be too distracted by their period and its annoyances to actually get in the mood for sex. But for others, menstruation could actually be a turn-on of sorts. That’s because your estrogen and testosterone are low on day 1 of your cycle (the day your period starts), but they start to rise by day 3. “Some women report they feel more aroused and more sensitive around this time,” says Ford.

Plus, your flow can serve as extra lubrication during sex, which can also increase pleasure. If you typically use a store-bought lubricant to help with dryness during sex, this may be your week to go natural. Some research suggests that orgasms can even relieve menstrual cramping and PMS.

And your partner too…

Women shouldn’t assume their partner will be grossed out by their period. In fact, it’s often the person who’s menstruating who puts a stop to sex, not her other half, Ford says. Every couple is different, and some people will be more open to it than others. If you’re curious what your partner might think, however, don’t spring it on him or her in the heat of the moment—bring it up before things get hot and heavy. “Good communication can lead to great sex at any time during the month,” she says.

You can minimize the mess

Wearing a menstrual cup or a female condom can help reduce the amount of blood that might come out during intercourse, Ford says. If you’re not comfortable using one of these, even a regular condom can make cleanup easier—for your partner, at least. Having sex in the missionary position can also limit blood flow (thanks, gravity!), as can having sex toward the end of your period when your flow is lighter.

You’ve got options

If you’re not into intercourse during your period, there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy other sexual encounters (mess-free!). “She can wear a tampon and the focus can be on the clitoris,” says Ford, and she can still help her partner orgasm with manual or oral stimulation.

Don’t forget protection

You can still get pregnant if you have sex while on your period. “Some periods last more than a week and sometimes a woman’s ovulation can overlap with menstruation,” says Ford. On top of that, sperm can live for 3 to 5 days. If you’re on birth control and take it as directed (including during your placebo week), you should be fine—but if you skip a day or two, don’t chance it without another form of protection.

You’ll also need a form of barrier protection if you don’t know your partner’s STI status. Because the cervix is more open during this time of the month (which allows blood to pass), you have a slightly higher risk of infection from exposure to a sexually transmitted disease during unprotected sex, Ford says.

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