Is It Safe To Have Sex During Your Period?

Here is all the information you require regarding intimate relations during that time of the month, from infection risk to birth control

Just because you're having your period doesn't mean you have to forsake sexual activity. For some women, having sex while on their period might be more enjoyable than having it at other times of the month.

During your period, your demand for lubrication decreases, and an orgasm might relieve period-related problems like cramps. Additionally, a Cephalalgia study found that some people may experience less pain from migraine and cluster headaches after engaging in sexual activity, regardless of whether they are on their period or not.

All women should enjoy having sex, according to Carrie Coleman, MD, an ob-gyn at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Essentially, making sure you use effective contraception and STI prevention during the menstrual cycle should make it even safer. and enjoyable.

But before having sex, make sure you understand the risks of STIs, other infections, and pregnancy — even during your period.

Here’s what you need to know about having safe period sex.

Infection Risk From Sex During Your Period

It's vital to practice safe sex while you're having your period since you could still catch or spread a STI, like HIV, during this time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In menstrual blood, the virus and other organisms may be present. Therefore, to reduce this danger, experts strongly advise using a condom.

Anecdotally speaking, there are two reasons for this danger, according to Lauren Streicher, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Any bodily fluid can carry HIV or [other] STIs, and the cervix opens slightly during your period, which could allow viruses to slip through, according to the expert. “My message to women is you’re not off the hook as far as using protection.

You may also be more prone to some infections in general at this time. Your vagina maintains a pH level of 3.8 to 4.5 throughout the month, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). But during menstruation, that level rises because of the higher pH level of blood, and yeast is able to grow more rapidly.

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are more likely to occur the week before your menstrual period, and intercourse during this time can exacerbate symptoms. But clear evidence is lacking for any increased risk of getting a yeast infection if you have sex during your period.

The dreaded UTI is another concern. According to Dr. Coleman, certain women may be more prone to developing urinary tract infections following sexual activity. Although it could occur at any time throughout the menstrual cycle, the most likely cause is related to how easily bacteria can move from the genital area to the bladder during sexual activity.

Risk of Pregnancy During Your Period

Yes, you can get pregnant when you have period sex, especially if you have a shorter menstrual cycle (21 to 24 days) and you have have sex toward the end of your period. Sperm can remain viable in your vagina for up to five days, so pregnancy is possible, and it’s important to continue to use birth control.

Less Need for Vaginal Lubrication

If you have sex while having a period, you may not require lubricants because the menstrual discharge usually acts as sufficient lubrication. If you do require lubrication, James Simon, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, advises using water-based lubricants, which are readily accessible and secure for use with condoms. "Silicone and hybrid lubricants that are water-based and silicone-based are likewise safe for both sex and condoms. Oil-based lubricants, particularly those made of mineral oil, can cause condoms to shatter more easily and are therefore not advised while using latex condoms, according to him.

Period Sex as a Pain Reliever

If you experience symptoms such as cramping, feelings of sadness, or depression during your period, having sex at this time may be beneficial. Dr. Streicher says that because orgasms release endorphins — feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine — in theory, la petite morte could also decrease some period symptoms, although there hasn’t been any specific research supporting this. Still, “there’s no harm in trying,” she says.

Women who have endometriosis, on the other hand, may experience more pain and other symptoms when they have their period, as well as pain that occurs with sexual activity or orgasm. However, treatments are available, and sex doesn’t have to hurt. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible; the earlier you speak up, the sooner you can feel better and enjoy sex again.

Sexual Arousal During Your Period

You may feel more sexually aroused and sensitive during this time of the month because of the changes in your hormone levels. Some women experience an increased feeling of congestion in the pelvic area, which can also ramp up your sex drive. But for some women, this extra sensitivity may make it uncomfortable to have sex during your period. (If you don’t like having sex when you have your period, there are birth control options that can make your period shorter, lighter, or less frequent, or even eliminate your period altogether.)

It's important to keep in mind that having period sex is completely acceptable and that having your period is completely natural. The most important thing is to make sure that you and your spouse are at ease with the circumstance. Dr. Simon advises against making any assumptions. "Open inquiries with upfront sincere responses are crucial."