Is It Safe to Have Sex During Your Period?

Every woman will routinely experience menstruation every month as long as she is of productive age. During menstruation, it is unnecessary to avoid sexual activity as long as it does not bother you and your partner. This is because sex during menstruation is safe, even though it can be a little messy. This sexual activity can offer several benefits, such as relieving menstrual cramps. Here are some things you need to do if you want to have sex while you're menstruating.

What are the benefits?

Having sexual intercourse while menstruating offers several benefits, including:

1. Relieves Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps occur due to contractions during the shedding of the uterine wall. When experiencing orgasm, the uterine muscles will also contract and then relax. This can relieve menstrual cramps. Having sex can also release endorphins, which can relieve pain.

2. Shortens the Menstrual Period

Muscle contractions that occur during orgasm can trigger the process of expelling menstrual fluid more quickly. This can result in shorter menstrual periods.

Make sure to always communicate with your partner

3. Increasing sexual desire

A woman's sexual desire will change throughout the menstrual cycle due to hormonal fluctuations. Although many people report that their sexual desire increases during the ovulation period (around 2 weeks before menstruation), many women also feel that their sexual desire increases when they are menstruating.

4. Can Relieve Headaches

Based on research conducted in 2017, more than half of women with acute migraines reported experiencing flare-ups during menstruation. Even though most people who have migraines tend to avoid sexual intercourse, research shows that having sex can relieve or cure existing headaches.

What are the Potential Side Effects?

The biggest downside to having sex during menstruation is the mess. Blood can get on other body parts, including your partner's or the bed sheets in the room. Bleeding that occurs can also cause discomfort, thereby reducing enjoyment.

Another concern regarding sex during menstruation is the risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as hepatitis. This virus lives in the sufferer's blood and can be transmitted through contact with menstrual blood.

Use contraception if you are not planning a pregnancy

Can You Still Get Pregnant?

If you are not trying to get pregnant, always using protection regardless of the menstrual cycle period is the most appropriate step. Even though the chance of pregnancy during menstruation is lower, fertilization is still possible. The most excellent opportunity for fertilization is during ovulation or around 2 weeks before a person experiences menstruation.

Someone who has a short menstrual cycle has a higher chance of still being able to get pregnant even if they have sexual intercourse while menstruating. This is because sperm cells can still live in a woman's body for up to 7 days.

If you use tampons, make sure to remove them first before having sexual intercourse. A tampon you forget to remove can get pushed so far and require a doctor's help. Apart from that, continue to use protection such as condoms because they can prevent pregnancy and transmission of STIs. Don't forget to clean the reproduction area when finished.