10 Period Sex Tips: Guide to Sex During Your Period

Ask anyone with a cycle: period sex – or not knowing how to have it – can be stressful if you're not prepared. Can sex during a period get messy? Yup. Can it be an amazing and trust-building experience for you and your partner? Absolutely.

Before you run off and stain your new white sheets, here are a few things you should know about sex on your period. Let's start with #1: Have fun, and always check in with your partner.

Disclaimer: This article is not medical advice. It was written for informational purposes. The views expressed in it are not necessarily those of Casco Cup.

First Thing's First: Can You Have Sex on your Period?

Yes, you most certainly can. Thanks to a lot of hard work over the past few decades, fewer and fewer people think that an "ew periods" mentality is OK.

Many more people enjoy period sex than you realize. Though it's 100% safe, it's always a matter of what you are your partner are comfortable with. For some women, it's even more fun thanks to the natural lubrication provided by menstrual fluid and a potential increase in sex drive.

How to Have Sex on Your Period

So you know it's OK but you aren't sure where to begin? We were once there, too. Remember: there is no wrong way as long as you're being safe, which means using prevention for STIs and birth control, and in a consenting situation. There are, however, a few ways to make period sex easier and less stressful. Worrying is a great way to ruin a romantic evening.

1. Talk to Your Partner

Ask them how they feel and share your own thoughts and concerns. As with everything relationship-related, communication is key. Make sure that you're both on the same page before initiating anything.

2. Remove Your Feminine Product Before Period Sex

Whether you're wearing a menstrual cup or a tampon, make sure to remove it. It's best to remove your feminine product before starting anything so you don't risk forgetting.

If you're wearing a menstrual disc, you can wear it while having sex during your period. But make sure to empty it immediately before intercourse. If you don't, you risk creating an even bigger mess than if you weren't wearing anything at all. Not great.

3. Get a Towel

Using a dark color towel is an easy way to prevent a mess on your sheets. Just make sure you have one on hand before you start anything. Then, throw it in the washing machine or hamper and enjoy not having to spot clean your sheets.

4. Use Birth Control

Odds of conception during menstruation are technically lower. But this does not mean that it's impossible -- or that you shouldn't use birth control. Unless you are trying to get pregnant, always use birth control and remember that a menstrual cup or disc will not prevent pregnancy. Keep in mind that Plan B is not designed to be used as regular birth control.

Why do some people think that you can't get pregnant during period sex? There are a few reasons why it's less likely but never impossible.

1. Your cycle length and the timing of each phase varies between women. On top of that, having an irregular menstrual cycle can affect up to 35% of women, according to research. In other words, it may be tough to know exactly which stage of the menstrual cycle someone is in.
2. Spotting can occur between cycles. This means that menstrual fluid does not always indicate that you're having sex on your period.
3. Sperm can live for a long time – up to five days to be exact. It's possible to conceive days after period sex.

5. Protect Against STIs During Period Sex

It is always possible to catch or transmit an STI, meaning sexually transmitted infection. Menstruation has nothing to do with STI prevention. In fact, it may be easier to transmit a virus such as HIV through menstrual blood. In other words, protection is crucial during period sex, just like at any other time.

5 Reasons to Like Period Sex

You've heard the antiquated argument why not to like it – ew, it's gross – but you may not know that there are so many amazing reasons to enjoy it. Here are a few common reasons.

1. It's All About Lubrication

There is a reason why many people, especially the older you get, enjoy a little lube in the bedroom. Period sex can provide this without the extra cost or potential chemicals. Keep in mind that there's a lot more in menstrual fluid than just blood: There are the cells that line the endometrium, which make a great all-natural lubricant.

2. Having Sex During a Period May Reduce Cramps

Yup, you heard right. Having sex on a period may actually help with pain reduction. This may mean lessening cramps. One of the most common PMS symptoms, cramps are the result of uterine muscle contraction. Orgasms may help manage this cramping sensation and pain and also produce endorphins, which make you happy.

3. Increased Sex Drive

On the first day of your cycle, you may want to watch The Office and eat ice cream. But a couple of days later, things may be entirely different. As your hormone shift, you may experience a heightening sex drive while menstruating, or maybe right before.

Having period sex may just mean having fun with your partner at the exact moment that you want to most. For some people who enjoy intercourse during menstruation, they get more aroused because they know how great it can be.

4. Period Sex Is a New Form of Intimacy

Being comfortable enough with your body – and getting that same feeling from your partner – can be a magical thing. You may also find that a lot of people don't mind it, and may actually enjoy it for the same reasons that you do.

Though we've made amazing progress in the past decade, period shame is still real for a lot of people. For some people, the road to acceptance and self-love is being comfortable with using a menstrual cup and engaging in period sex with a great partner.

5. Oral Sex Is Okay, Too

There is no reason not to enjoy receiving oral while menstruating. If your partner is into it, there's no reason to be uncomfortable or afraid. Also, the clit is the main focal point of female pleasure and is a less "bloody" location.

Keep in mind that a menstrual cycle is not a reason for a person to be giving oral sex without experiencing what they want to experience.

Period Sex: 5 Takeaways for Beginners

1. Remember to use birth control and STI prevention
2. Take out your menstrual cup or tampon before
3. Communicate with your partner
4. Get a towel
5. Enjoy the process

Centuries of shaming women shouldn't stop you from enjoying your relationship and your body when you want to. With communication and preparation, period sex can even be better than your normal routine.