Is it Safe To Have Sex During Your
Period?
Many men and women worry that having sexual intercourse during a
woman period is unhealthy. Though frowned upon in many cultures and
faiths, sexual intercourse during menstruation is entirely normal
and completely healthy.
Worries about this act generally stem from societal misconceptions
about menstrual blood: most girls are taught from a young age that
their menstrual blood is unclean and "dirty," and therefore should
be hidden and contained at all times. However, menstrual blood is
an entirely natural bodily fluid, and does not in anyway affect a
mans penis or a womans reproductive tract. As long as you are
engaging in safe and protected sexual intercourse, it is entirely
alright for you and your partner to have sex during your
period.
What About Oral Sex?
Though some men and women may find the thought of oral sex during
menstruation a little bit off-putting, many partners do engage in
this act. If you and your partner are considering having oral sex
during your period, rest assured, it is entirely safe to do so.
However, because menstrual blood can contain STD bacteria or
viruses, it is essential that you and your partner use appropriate
protection. Use a dental dam throughout oral sex as well as a
condom during sexual intercourse.
Does Sex Help to Manage Period Pains?
Many women find that sexual intercourse actually helps to relieve
period pains and menstrual cramps. This is because an orgasm can
cause your uterus to contract, enabling it to use up excess
prostaglandins in the process. Prostagladins are hormones produced
by your uterine lining. They help to stimulate contractions that
move menstrual blood out of the uterus, and are also responsible
for those cramps that occur throughout your period.
Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period?
Though possible, it is highly unlikely that you will get pregnant
during your monthly menstrual cycle. During your period, your body
works to shed the uterine lining that it has been building up over
the last month, in preparation for pregnancy. When you dont become
pregnant, small uterine contractions begin, encouraging the
unfertilized egg and unused endometrium to be shed from the uterus
and through the vagina. This means that there is no egg in the
fallopian tubes to become fertilized and no lining to help a
developing embryo to implant properly.
This being said, there is a small possibility of pregnancy during
your period. Women often mistake slight bleeding that can occur
with ovulation as their period. Unprotected sex at this time can
greatly increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Additionally,
sperm can live in the female reproductive system for up to three
days. Because some women ovulate at the very end of their menstrual
periods, sperm may still be alive at this point, and able to
fertilize an egg.
Can You Avoid Catching an STD if You Have Sex During Your
Period?
There are a number of myths going around that it is impossible to
contract a sexually transmitted disease if you have sex while you
are menstruating. Unfortunately, this myth is completely false, and
you and your partner are still at risk for contracting any type of
STD if you have unprotected sex during menstruation.
Menstrual blood, like semen and vaginal secretions, contains the
HIV virus as well as the bacteria associated with a number of other
STDS, including syphilis and chlamydia. Additionally, many women
experience herpes outbreaks during their monthly periods, which may
actually increase your risk of spreading this disease to your
sexual partner. When engaging in sex, no matter what time of the
month it is, it is necessary to wear a condom in order to prevent
STD transmission.
Can Having Sex During Menstruation End Your
Period?
If you have had sexual intercourse during menstruation you may have
noticed that your period comes to an abrupt end within a day of
intercourse. Though you may be worried that somehow your menstrual
blood has "backed up" or gotten stuck somewhere in your
reproductive tract, this is not the case. In fact, your period has
probably ended because sexual intercourse has stimulated an
increased number of contractions in your uterus, causing your body
to expel your menstrual blood more quickly.
During orgasm, your uterus goes through a number of muscular
contractions, which can help to speed up menstruation; as your
uterus contracts, the endometrial lining begins to shift and is
forced out through the vagina. Additionally, semen contains
prostaglandins, hormones responsible for causing uterine
contractions. The combination of prostaglandins and orgasm may
contribute to an increased number of uterine contractions and
therefore cause the rest of your menstrual blood to be quickly
shed.
How do You Avoid Making a Mess When Having Sex During Your
Period?
Women and men often dislike having sex during menstruation because
of the mess that it can cause. However, with a little careful
planning you can keep the mess contained and focus on enjoying the
experience.
If you are going to have sexual intercourse, try to get your
partner to straddle you while you are lying on your back: this will
help to slow the bleeding. Lay down some spare towels or sheets
beforehand, so that it will absorb any excess blood. You may want
to think about wearing a diaphragm or cervical cap during sexual
intercourse. These will protect you from pregnancy and work to
contain any menstrual fluid. However, these barrier methods of
birth control should not be used on an everyday basis to collect
menstrual blood. Although they are similar, diaphragms and cervical
caps are not the same as menstrual cups.
