Menstrual Disorders Normal Menstruation Tips for Having Sex During Your Period By Andrea Chisholm, MD facebook twitter linkedin Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Learn about our editorial process Andrea Chisholm, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on July 02, 2019 facebook twitter linkedin instagram Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD Updated on February 13, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Benefits of Period Sex Safety Considerations Planning Ahead Oral Sex Though it may pose some logistical concerns, there's no scientific evidence that having sex during your period is harmful to your health. Some women even find that having intercourse while menstruating brings several benefits and is more pleasurable than it is at other times. It's important to remember, though, that just because your body is eliminating your uterine lining because an egg was released but not fertilized doesn't mean you can't get pregnant while you have your period. Likewise, concerns about sexually transmitted infections are the same regardless of the time of the month. Hero Images / Getty Images Benefits of Period Sex Having sex while on your period has several benefits that are due to physiological changes that occur in response to intercourse. Cramp Relief Cramping during your period occurs because the uterus is contracting to shed its lining. Many women find that orgasms may relieve their menstrual cramps because the uterine muscles contract and then release, easing the constant state of muscle tension during this time. And, of course, sex triggers feel good endorphins, which can get your mind off of your pain and discomfort. A Shorter Period Muscle contractions during orgasms help clear the contents of your uterus. In theory, this means you could have shorter periods if you are having period sex, though there is no scientific evidence to back this up. Headache Relief Studies show that sexual activity can partially or completely relieve headaches. Researchers aren’t sure why this occurs, but they speculate the rush of endorphins during sex helps to numb headache pain. Lubrication If your vagina is usually on the dry side, menstrual flow can act as a natural lubricant, making sex more comfortable and reducing the need for lubrication products. Safety Considerations There are a few things you should pay attention to addressing so that sex during your period doesn't result in problems. Pregnancy Risk While the chance of getting pregnant during your period is low, it is still possible. Some women may have shorter menstrual cycles and/or menstrual irregularities, which may impact when the ovary releases a new egg. In addition, sperm can stay alive in the reproductive tract for up to five days, according to the American Pregnancy Association. So, fertilization may occur well after you might expect it to. If you aren’t trying to get pregnant, contraception is still a good idea. What Is the Most Effective OTC Birth Control Method? Sexually Transmitted Infections Using a condom to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is advisable. Having unprotected sex during your period or at any other time can increase the risk. Removing Tampons It's important to remember to remove a tampon before having sex. A forgotten tampon can get pushed further into the vagina and potentially cause a bacterial infection that can unnoticed until it has progressed. A tampon that is too deep in the body may need to be removed by a doctor. What Is Toxic Shock Syndrome? Planning Ahead There is no denying that sex during your period can get a bit messy. With a little bit of pre-planning, you can reduce the need for clean-up. Stick to Light Days If you know that days 3 to 5 of your period are lighter, try having sex on those days. However, if sex on day 1 of your period doesn’t bother you or your partner, go for it. Decrease the Flow To minimize the amount of blood in your vagina during sex, you could try using a menstrual cup—a relatively small, flexible device that is an alternative to tampons and pads. It essentially collects the blood as it passes through the cervix and keeps the vagina relatively clean. Most reusable menstrual cups need to be taken out before sex, but the soft disposable ones do not. Your partner shouldn’t feel the cup, and there shouldn’t be any leaks during intercourse. However, some women may feel discomfort using this sort of device during sex; the vagina may feel crowded and/or there may be pain. If you use a menstrual cup, confirm with your doctor that the kind you have is safe to use during sex. Note: The menstrual cup does not protect against pregnancy. Another option for decreasing menstrual flow is the vaginal contraceptive sponge. It traps blood in the upper part of the vagina just like the menstrual cup. Though it may not as effective at collecting the blood, it’s likely more comfortable. It also has the added benefit of preventing pregnancy. The menstrual cup and the sponge will not protect you against STIs. Condoms (male or female) are the best method for protection. Both of the menstrual cup and vaginal contraceptive sponge should be removed after sex. Have Towels and Tissues Handy Before having sex, place some towels under you to protect your sheets and mattress, and keep tissues nearby so you can wipe yourself when you're done. Opt for Missionary Position Lying on your back during sex can lessen blood flow. Be careful about deep penetration because the cervix is lower and more sensitive during this time of the month. If things start to hurt, let your partner know and proceed slowly. Try Shower Sex The flow of a running shower can help wash away menstrual flow as it appears, helping with the mess factor. Rethink Foreplay Using your hands during foreplay can be messy when you are on period. If this bothers you or your partner, consider other ways to get one another aroused. Oral Sex Having oral sex during your period is safe. To minimize the mess you could use a menstrual cup, contraceptive sponge, or tampon. Just remember to take out whatever you use when you're done. If you don't want to put anything in your vagina, you could use a dental dam, which is a cut square of latex that can be purchased or made by cutting a condom. Dental dams can also help prevent against STIs. How to Make a Dental Dam A Word From Verywell Not everyone enjoys period sex, so talk to your partner ahead of time and find out how your partner feels. Some religions and cultures don’t believe in having intercourse while a woman is on her period, and it is important to respect your partner’s feelings and beliefs. Discussing concerns and feelings ahead of time gives both partners an understanding of expectations, considerations, and concerns. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Planned Parenthood. Can I have sex during my period? And If I do can I get pregnant? Updated October 28, 2019. Verma P, Singh KK, Singh A. Pregnancy risk during menstrual cycle: misconceptions among urban men in India. Reprod Health. 2017;14(1):71. doi:10.1186/s12978-017-0332-3 Levin RJ. Sexual activity, health and well-being—the beneficial roles of coitus and masturbation. Sex Relation Ther. 2007;22(1):135-148. doi:10.1080/14681990601149197 Hambach A, Evers S, Summ O, Husstedt IW, Frese A. The impact of sexual activity on idiopathic headaches: an observational study. Cephalalgia. 2013;33(6):384-389. doi:10.1177/0333102413476374 Levin RJ. The ins and outs of vaginal lubrication. Sex and Relation Ther. 2003;18(4):509-513. doi:10.1080/14681990310001609859 American Pregnancy Association. Determining Your Fertility Window. Updated January 19, 2018. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The lowdown on how to prevent STDs. Updated January 21, 2021. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women's Health. What happens during a typical 28-day menstrual cycle? Updated March 16, 2018. Van Eijk AM, Zulaika G, Lenchner M, et al. Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health. 2019;4(8):e376-e393. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30111-2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How to use a dental dam as a barrier for oral sex. Updated August 12, 2016. Additional Reading Witteveen H, van den Berg P, Vermeulen G. Treatment of menstrual migraine; multidisciplinary or mono-disciplinary approach. J Headache Pain. 2017; 18(1): 45. doi:10.1186/s10194-017-0752-z