What You Need To Know About Period Sex
What are the benefits of having sex on your period?
“Because of all the natural lubricant, things will be working at full steam. And once your body reaches that ‘I’ll have what she’s having’ moment, your muscles will tense and relax, your endorphins will run, your cramping will subside, and you can fall asleep,” Thinkx Women’s Health Editor, Breanna, explains.
“Period sex can also offer one of the most glorious of workout options. It’s like running a marathon, but instead of a medal at the finish line, you get:
Headache relief: In one study, 70% of migraine patients who engaged in sexual activity during an attack reported moderate to complete relief.
Mood improvement: Orgasms have been proven to release endorphins and endorphins have been proven to boost your mood. Ideal if you’re suffering from PMS or other hormone-related mood dips.
Cramp alleviation: Not only does your blood flow increase when you climax, your uterine muscles also release chemicals to the brain that offer natural pain relief. This magic combo means some serious cramp relief (and an orgasm – win-win!)
Other benefits include the aforementioned ‘lube’ boost and the perfect opportunity for an honest pre-coital convo. After all, if you’re going to have period sex, you’re going to have a pretty real conversation about comfort zones first.”
Should you use contraception?
Yes, if you’re not planning on getting pregnant. It’s possible to conceive at any time during your menstrual cycle, even during or just after your period – there’s no ‘safe’ time of the month when you can have sex without contraception and not risk becoming pregnant.
According to the NHS, there are a few risks associated with having sex on your period too – HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be passed on more easily, so you should always use a condom with a new or untested partner.
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Any tips for first-timers?
While Breanna notes there are a variety of ways to go about period sex, she says the bedroom is always a good option. “The bed works wonderfully by offering a comfortable environment to assess which positions you and your partner like the most,” she says. “Lay down a towel, look into each other’s eyes, and express that love and respect.”
If you choose to try it in the shower – for, ahem, obvious reasons – she advises to make sure your feet are grounded and that you have something stable to hold onto for balance (not the shower curtain, fyi).
And having an open-minded partner is key – someone who makes you feel confident and gorgeous. As is aiming to enjoy the new experience and make the most of the situation: “That’s one of the huge positives about having sex during this time – it allows for creativity and imagination, not only around location, but also in regards to different types of physical stimulation,” she says.
And what about the ‘towel’ situation?
If you’re having sex anywhere but the bathroom, Breanna says a towel is an essential: “This is so that during the act of horizontal naked dancing, your mind can focus on the fun rather than whether the mattress is going to look like a scene from Carrie.” Although she adds, for the record, it won’t: The average amount of liquid flow during your period is less than 60ml.
Thinx’s Period Sex Blanket (yes it’s actual name), unfortunately isn’t available in the UK just yet, but is due to launch soon, and will most likely spawn a host of copies. Made of duel-sided fabric – one is Thinx’s signature four-layer technology, found in its period-proof underwear, while the other has a quilted lavender finish – it looks just like a regular blanket, but doubles up as a super-absorbent towel ideal for period sex.
Maria Molland Selby, CEO of Thinx, hopes the blanket will spark a conversation about period sex, and help reduce the current stigma around it. “So many people are made to feel afraid or ashamed of having sex on their period,” she said. “This is more than a blanket, this is another opportunity to bust through yet another period taboo and to open a much-needed dialogue about period sex and sex generally.”
Until it does launch here, however, experts advise spreading a dark-coloured towel over your bed to catch any blood leaks; keeping a wet flannel or baby wipes by the bed for easy clean-up afterwards; and – if you do stain your sheets – rinse them immediately in cold water (hot will set the stain) to remove the blood before putting in the wash.
To find out more about Thinx, visit SheThinx.com
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