Can you have sex on your period?

Being on your period doesn’t mean you have to put a pause on your sex life if you don’t want to. While you may want to consider your period by changing your sheets or protecting them with a towel, there are actually some benefits to getting intimate at this time in your cycle. Whether you want to make it a regular part of your sex life or not is a totally personal decision. So here’s the lowdown on period sex, from how to approach it with your partner to why it might alleviate some of your premenstrual symptoms. 

Key takeaways

• Period sex can be fun and is perfectly safe as long as you take the usual precautions against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Make sure you communicate with your partner beforehand so you both feel comfortable and ready to manage any blood. 
• It can be normal for sex to feel a bit different while you’re on your period. Experimenting with positions will help you find what works for you. 

Can you have sex on your period?

If you and your partner are up for having period sex, there’s no reason not to have it. It may still feel a little bit taboo, but it’s thought that between 3% and 30% of sexually active women choose to have period sex. 

But since there will be blood involved, is it safe? “Yes, it is safe to have sex during your menstrual cycle,” says Dr. Renita White, obstetrician and gynecologist, Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology, US. “Though blood is present from the period, there is no risk of hurting yourself or your sexual partner.” 

If you find yourself with a higher libido during your period, then this is great news. However, while sex on your period is perfectly safe, it’s still important to remember that you can still get pregnant or contract an STI at this point in your cycle, so you still need to use contraception. If you aren’t sure what the best type of birth control is for you, you can learn more here. 

So, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of period sex more closely. 

Benefits of period sex

Extra lubrication

One bonus is that period blood may help reduce friction during penetrative sex. “The menstrual blood can serve as natural lubrication during intercourse,” says Dr. White. This can make penetrative sex more enjoyable. 

Pain relief

Dr. White explains that your body releases feel-good chemicals during sex called endorphins — one of the health benefits of sex. “The endorphins released during sex and orgasm may help improve menstrual cramp discomfort,” she says. 

Heightened enjoyment

Sex and your period can be a winning combination, because you may find sex is extra pleasurable this time of the month. “Some people have a higher libido during menstruation, so they may enjoy having more sex, but it all depends on the person,” says Dr. White. “Plus, during menstruation, there is more blood flow to the uterus, pelvic floor, and vagina. This can increase sensitivity during sex. For some, it can make sex more enjoyable. But for others, it may cause more discomfort.” So check in with how you’re feeling and never feel pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do.

Possible consequences of period sex 

Mess

When it comes to period sex, a little bit of mess comes with the territory. And this isn’t something you or your partner should be scared of or grossed out by. Period blood is totally natural and safe. You may just want to take some extra steps when preparing and cleaning up afterward. 

“Sex during the menstrual cycle may be more messy than usual due to the blood that is present,” says Dr. White. Whether you decide to protect your bedding with a towel or use an old or dark-colored set of sheets, there are lots of ways you can minimize cleanup time afterward. 

One thing you might want to consider is using a menstrual disc. This is a shallow disc made of plastic or silicone that you insert below your cervix in the vagina to collect period blood. Not only can it protect you from leaks for up to 12 hours, but you can keep it in during period sex. Unlike other menstrual products, menstrual discs sit higher in the vaginal canal and are less likely to interfere with sex. 

STIs

You can still catch STIs from period sex. “It’s possible to transmit STIs any time during unprotected sex, whether on your period or not,” says Dr. White. “However, some viruses (like hepatitis) can live in blood. So there is a higher risk of transmission during your period.”

A couple of ways to ensure that both you and your partner are looking after your sexual health are attending STI screenings if you’ve had sex with someone new and always wearing barrier protection like a condom or internal condom. If you’re having oral sex, using a dental dam can help to protect you against STIs. 

Pregnancy 

It’s also possible to get pregnant if you have sex during your period. While it’s less likely to happen now rather than at other points in your cycle, it’s still really important to use birth control if you don’t want to get pregnant.

Tips for enjoyable period sex

Whether you’d rather do it in the shower, on a towel, or focus solely on oral sex, period sex can look different for everyone. However, sex should always be enjoyable, and both you and your partner should be on the same page with what you’re comfortable with. If you aren’t sure how to approach period sex, there are a few things you can consider. 

Communicate with your partner

So much enjoyment in sex comes from communicating with your partner beforehand. Knowing what your partner likes and feels comfortable with can make sex so much better. Period sex is no exception to this. 

If you know you’d like to have sex at this time in your cycle, then chat with your partner about it to make sure you’re both on the same page. You’ll feel more relaxed knowing that you’re both excited to try it. 

Keep using contraception 

Period sex can feel new and exciting, but it’s still important to take action against catching an STI or becoming pregnant if you don’t want to have a baby right now. 

Condoms are the only kind of birth control that can protect you against STIs, and you might already be using a different type of contraception to avoid pregnancy. “Though you’re less likely to get pregnant on your period if you have a predictable menstrual cycle, it is not impossible,” says Dr. White. “Sperm can live in the body for up to five days. So if you have unprotected sex during your period and ovulate shortly afterward, you would be able to get pregnant.

Prepare yourself for a little mess

The word mess has a lot of negative connotations, and there’s still some stigma attached to period sex because there may be blood involved. The truth is your period is nothing to be ashamed of, and period blood is safe. However, for the sake of your favorite sheets, you might want to prepare for sex during this time in your cycle. 

You might choose to have sex in the shower, so any blood washes away. You could also put a large, dark-colored towel on your sheets to catch any blood. You could also use an old set of sheets to save wear and tear on your favorite linens. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, so try to remember to take any menstrual products out before having sex (unless you’re using a menstrual disc). While you’ll need to remove a tampon or menstrual cup before penetrative sex, some people choose to keep them in during foreplay. 

Remove your tampon or menstrual cup

As things start to get heated, you might feel most comfortable keeping your period product in until just before you have penetrative sex. If you decide that you’d like to stick to oral sex during your period, then you can leave your tampon or menstrual cup in. However, Dr. White explains, “If a tampon or menstrual cup is in place during sex, it can prevent vaginal insertion for sex and make sex uncomfortable for you and your partner,” says Dr. White. So don’t be embarrassed if you need to make a quick dash to the bathroom to remove one of these items first.  

Try different positions

As your hormones fluctuate during your period, it’s typical to feel a little bit different, and what feels good at other points in your cycle may be painful or feel too intense. “If it is uncomfortable for the cervix to be hit during sex due to menstrual cramps or being on your period, changing sexual positions to reposition your cervix and uterus can be helpful,” says Dr. White. “Depending on how you position your body, the cervix can sit higher or lower in the uterus. For example, bending forward may push the cervix farther away (higher in the vagina).” Consider lying on your side and your partner entering you from a spooning position or straddling them so you can control the depth. 

Use a period tracker 

If you’ve noticed changes to your sex drive or sensitivity while you’re on your period, or at any time of the month for that matter, it can be useful and interesting to jot them down in a period tracker. Over time, tracking your cycle can help you learn more about your menstrual cycle and when sex is most enjoyable for you. You can also use our period calculator to figure out when you’re next due.