December 23, 2023, 7:03 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Sex During Your Period: Debunking Myths and Addressing Concerns For many women, having sex during their period is completely normal. However, others may have reservations about engaging in intercourse during this time due to persistent myths surrounding the topic. From hygiene to infection risks, STYLEBOOK provides answers.
First things first: Sex during menstruation is not unhygienic, as the female menstrual cycle is a completely natural process. “From a medical standpoint, there’s no reason not to have sex during your period,” says Prof. Dr. Mandy Mangler, chief physician for gynecology and obstetrics at Berlin’s Vivantes-Auguste-Viktoria Hospital. “You don’t need to worry about an increase in germs or anything like that.”
In general, because women have a shorter urethra than men, germs can more easily enter the urinary tract. However, this is independent of whether a woman is menstruating or not. It’s always recommended to go to the bathroom right after sex. Urination flushes out germs and helps prevent bladder infections.
Why Women Often Desire Sex During Their Period
On the first day of menstruation, hormone levels change. With the start of a new cycle, the uterus and vulva are highly vascularized. This increased blood flow, combined with the altered hormone levels, can heighten sexual desire in some women. The genital organs become more sensitive to touch.
Beware of Infections During Period Sex
Many women enjoy sex during their period because the likelihood of pregnancy is very low at this time. However, “Menstrual blood can transmit sexually transmitted diseases just like semen,” notes Prof. Dr. Mandy Mangler. These include bacterial infections (such as syphilis and gonorrhea) and viral infections (such as HIV). Condoms provide protection against such infections.
High Moisture: Pros and Cons
Some women also enjoy sex during their period because menstrual blood acts as a natural lubricant. A small tip: If you use tampons, don’t remove them just before sex, as this can dry out the vagina. “The moisture can also have drawbacks,” says the gynecologist. “Some women don’t feel the penis, which can limit the enjoyment of sex.”
Period Sex Is a Sign of Intimacy
Some women avoid sex during their period because they fear their partner might be disgusted. “Sex during menstruation is also an expression of great closeness,” believes Prof. Dr. Mandy Mangler. “If the partner accepts that menstrual blood is completely natural and consciously integrates it into their sex life, it can greatly enrich a relationship.” At the same time, it can happen that you don’t feel like having sex at all during your period—cramps or abdominal pain can affect overall well-being. However, sex can actually help relieve these cramps and provide relaxation. As always: Everything is possible, nothing is mandatory!
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Period Products You Can Use During Sex
If you want to have sex during your period but still want some protection against leakage, you can easily use period products that are suitable for sex. Soft tampons or menstrual discs can be ideally used without interfering with sex. Since they are inserted deep into the vaginal canal, they can catch a good amount of blood and won’t get in the way during intercourse. Note: Soft tampons, unlike menstrual discs, should only be used once.