Of course! Masturbating during your period isn’t too different from masturbating during the rest of your cycle. There is really no reason why you shouldn’t masturbate while on your period. It might be a bit messier than usual, but you can easily fix that by keeping a towel nearby.
Studies have found that some people can feel more aroused than usual during their menstruation, so masturbating during your period makes all the sense in the world.
Now that you know that masturbating during your period is totally normal, it’s time to learn about its benefits. Masturbating is a healthy activity at any point during your cycle, but masturbating while on your period has certain added benefits.
Masturbation is a great way to learn more about your body and what you like during sex. Orgasm releases hormones that can help you feel more calm and relaxed. Masturbation during your period also provides these same great benefits.
After an orgasm, you release endorphins. In addition to their pain-relieving properties, these hormones can lift your overall mood. So having an orgasm during your period can help you feel happier and stress free.
Your body also releases dopamine and oxytocin when you orgasm. Combined with endorphins, they can provide powerful pain relief. That’s why many people who experience menstrual migraines have found that their headaches decrease or disappear after having an orgasm. These hormonal changes can also relieve other types of pain, such as the back pain that many people experience during their period.
If you have trouble falling asleep, you’ll be glad to discover that having an orgasm can help you fall asleep faster.
Just like during any other time of your cycle, masturbating during menstruation is one of the safest ways to achieve pleasure. Since you’re not exposed to another person’s fluids when you masturbate, you’ll remain safe from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy. Of course, you can always masturbate with a partner.
Although rare, getting pregnant or catching an STI is still possible without penetration. Certain viruses, such as HIV, actually live in menstrual blood and can be transmitted more easily during your period. If you’re masturbating with a partner, make sure to use protection.
Find out what you can do with our Health Assistant
It’s no secret that many people experience cramps and other unpleasant symptoms before and during their period. The great news is that orgasms may help relieve menstrual cramps. Menstrual cramps occur because your uterus contracts to shed its lining, which can cause pain. During an orgasm, your uterus will contract and relax afterwards. This may help ease your cramps.
The hormones that your body releases after an orgasm can also help relieve menstrual cramps through their pain-relieving effects. And since masturbating is a great way to achieve an orgasm, you may be able to relieve your cramps through this activity. People who experience cramps before their period can also benefit from orgasms, so masturbating before your period may also be helpful.
Of course, masturbation might not work for everyone, and you should always talk to your health care provider if you experience unpleasant menstrual symptoms. They will be able to prescribe pain-relieving medications when needed.
I love that Flo allows me to keep track of my vaginal health in relation to the health of the rest of my body because your period is affected by how you live, so I’m grateful Flo has this feature. I also love all the questions they ask related to the type of birth control you use (if any), sexual activity, mood, exercise and sleep schedule. They really take YOUR BODY & YOUR NEEDS into consideration!
It’s normal to be nervous about menstruation masturbation if you think it will be too messy. It might be a good idea to keep a towel on hand if you’re masturbating during your period. If you masturbate while lying down, place the towel beneath you to protect your sheets. Consider using a dark-colored towel, since it won’t stain as easily.
For added hygiene, you can try masturbating right after taking a shower. That way, you’ll minimize the chance of creating stains while you masturbate. You can also masturbate inside the shower for easy cleanup!
Flo is an easy-to-use app that will predict your next period and spot your health trends. Try it now!
You can keep wet wipes nearby to clean up once you’re done. Remember that fingers, sex toys, or any other object that you use needs to be cleaned after masturbating, even if you’re not on your period. Don’t use vaginal douching to avoid blood stains; it can lead to irritation and increased risk of vaginal infections. It’s better to clean up some blood after masturbating than having to deal with an infection later!
You can masturbate alone if you want more privacy, or talk to your partner about engaging in mutual masturbation. Masturbating each other can be a wonderful way to enjoy intimacy if you don’t feel like having sex during your period but would still like to orgasm with your partner.
If you’re masturbating with a partner, remember to be safe. It’s still possible to get pregnant if you’re on your period — there are no safe days in your cycle. You should also make sure to protect yourself and your partner against STIs.
Even if there is no penetration during a mutual masturbation session, you should still use protection. This will allow you to remain worry free while you pleasure yourself and your partner.
Using a tampon or a menstrual cup doesn’t mean you can’t masturbate during your period. You can still achieve an orgasm through clitoral stimulation, and the tampon or cup will make it easier to clean up. You can also try stimulating other parts of your body, such as your nipples.
Keep in mind that while menstrual blood can act as a lubricant, this won’t be the case if you’re using a tampon or cup. On the contrary, these devices can actually absorb your natural lubrication and cause vaginal dryness. In these cases, try using an additional lubricant to prevent irritation. You should also check the placement of your menstrual cup after masturbating since the contractions caused by an orgasm can displace it.
Now that you know about the wonderful benefits of masturbating on your period, you can give it a try! This self-love technique can help improve your mood and relieve pain. It’s no wonder you feel so relaxed afterwards!
If you have any questions about masturbation, check out this interview with one of the Flo medical consultants.
Bullivant, Susan B, et al. “Women’s Sexual Experience during the Menstrual Cycle: Identification of the Sexual Phase by Noninvasive Measurement of Luteinizing Hormone.” Journal of Sex Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15216427.
Caruso, Salvatore, et al. “Do Hormones Influence Women’s Sex? Sexual Activity over the Menstrual Cycle.” ResearchGate, Journal of Sexual Medicine, Oct. 2013, www.researchgate.net/publication/259350975_Do_Hormones_Influence_Women’s_Sex_Sexual_Activity_over_the_Menstrual_Cycle.
Understand what your symptoms might mean — and what's normal for you — by tracking your cycle.
Follow your baby's growth and see how your body is changing.
Know when you're most fertile to maximize your chances of getting pregnant.
