Some people say that sex is enjoyable at any stage of life, day or night, in any room of the house, and whenever you feel like it. But what about during a woman’s menstrual days—is it valid then too? Sex and menstruation aren’t always seen naturally, but for some, it’s just a way to spice up the relationship. There are couples for whom nothing is off-limits and sex and menstruation go together very well—why not? For others, and I believe for the majority, menstrual days mean days off. There are also the “vampire” men who love to have sex during this period. Obviously, it depends from couple to couple or even from person to person. Some couples have women who don’t mind having sex while menstruating, while the man can’t stand the idea, or vice versa. There are also women who suffer a lot during this period—with mood swings, fatigue, intense cramps, and because of their discomfort, the word sex doesn’t even cross their mind.
Increased Libido
What few people know is that during menstruation, the vast majority of women experience a heightened libido and their sexual desire becomes even more intense. For those who experience vaginal dryness, this is the prime time, as having sex during these days enhances ease of penetration, and unlike using lubricants, there’s no risk of allergies or irritation. But then several other questions arise, such as: Is having sex during menstruation harmful? Physically, there’s no problem at all. As for contracting diseases, the risks are higher. During menstruation, the vaginal pH changes from acid to alkaline, and the protective cervical mucus plug is replaced by bleeding, so any sexually transmitted or bacterial infection is more likely to be aggravated than normal. That’s why it’s recommended to use condoms during intercourse, especially during these days.
IMPORTANT: Sex and menstruation are recommended as long as you’re aware that during bleeding, the vagina is more prone to infections. Using condoms during sex prevents the transmission of bacteria, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancy.
Pros and Cons of Sex During Menstruation
For couples open to pleasure, there may be an extensive list of reasons to have sex whenever they feel desire, including during menstruation. As already mentioned, female intimate lubrication increases during this period, as does a woman’s sex drive. Even with all human advancement, menstruation is still seen as a “monster,” when in reality it’s something so natural and common in a woman’s life.
Information for the Partner
For men who feel “disgusted,” it’s worth clarifying that menstrual blood is nothing more than the shedding of the uterine lining, released because fertilization of an embryo didn’t occur. The idea that menstrual blood is dirty blood is a big myth! If you used that as an excuse not to have or give pleasure during these days, that’s over! Menstrual blood poses no risk of contamination for either the man or the woman. The only obstacle at this time involves oral sex during menstruation since it’s not a comfortable situation for either party. For those who don’t mind, you can use a female condom or even a special internal pad designed for sexual activity.
Internal Pads to Use During Sex
The internal pad for sex during menstruation is a small sponge that should be inserted into the vagina, and it absorbs all the expelled blood. Those who have tried it say that it’s imperceptible and there’s no contact with blood at all. Another common question about sex and menstruation is whether you can get pregnant. Some say it’s possible, some say it’s not, and the truth is, technically, since a woman isn’t ovulating during this phase, she wouldn’t get pregnant. But because of irregular or short menstrual cycles, pregnancy can indeed occur during this period. If you don’t intend to get pregnant at the moment, we recommend using condoms that, besides protecting against unintended pregnancy, also prevent the risk of infections and sexually transmitted diseases. For those women or couples who, for hygiene reasons, prefer to skip sex during this time, you may end up discovering other forms of pleasure besides penetration. There are other options, other touches, and other ways to give and receive pleasure to the one you love—just use your imagination. Who knows, maybe breaking taboos and discovering that sex and menstruation can be enjoyable too? Also see: Does Anal Sex Cause Pregnancy? Photo: Gabriel S. Delgado C