Period Sex – To Go For It or Not?
The taboo associated with periods has always been a concern for both men and women to consider before having sex during periods. The taboo related to menstruations is universal and gender-neutral. Well, it won’t be completely wrong to say that it is ubiquitous.
According to a study, 58% of women experience embarrassment being on their periods. The societal conditioning we receive directly and discreetly plays a pivotal role in how we see periods. While many people (including females) associate periods with adjectives like messy, unhygienic, dirty, etc., some people love to have sex during those days with their partners.
The question is: how safe or recommendable is it to indulge in sexual intercourse during the periods keeping aside the fun and the enjoyment of the activity? Or is the period taboo now just a thing of the past? In this article, we will try to answer the questions about period sex that you might ponder upon a couple of times but could not ask out loud.
Is Period Sex Safe?
When it comes to period sex, it is crucial to consider the possibilities of infections and pregnancies during the time. Sexual intercourse without protection during menstruation can result in unwanted pregnancies, especially when you do it towards the end of the period. Women with shorter period cycles of 21-24 days have a high risk of conceiving as the male sperm can stay active for up to five days. You must use protection and birth control to alleviate the risk and still experience the fun of period sex.
Furthermore, performing sexual activities during or after the periods can lead to risks of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and yeast infections due to the change in vaginal flora. The risk of a yeast infection increases during these days because of the significant hormonal changes. The normal pH level of the vagina is 3.8 to 4.5. However, it surges because of the rising blood pH level, which further results in higher risks of catching yeast infections. In addition to yeast infections, the risks of STIs too are significant. Some common STIs are chlamydia, herpes, HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, genital warts, and syphilis. You must use protection like condoms during period sex to lower the risk of STIs for you and your partner.
Positive Effects of Having Sex During Periods
Apart from sexual pleasure and enjoyment, period sex has its own advantages. While most people think of it as messy and dirty, period blood can be a natural lubricator that is safe for you, your partner, and also for the condoms that you might be using.
Periods lead to hormonal changes like feeling horny, cramps, mood swings, and whatnot, but period sex can relieve these symptoms. Orgasms, as many doctors say, release endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine, which can help deal with these symptoms of periods and PMS by improving sleep, reducing stress, less painful periods, and better immune system, and even shorter periods. So, although the sex might be a little messy, it is worth the mess.
Is It Okay To Go for Oral Sex During Periods?
You can definitely opt for oral sex during periods depending on your partner’s comfort. While some females enjoy oral sex during their period more than the normal oral sex as it relieves the menstrual pain and does not require the efforts of intercourse. On the contrary, other females do not feel appropriate about it and feel embarrassed. In the same way, the thought of going down might excite some males, while others might just feel gross about it. So, it totally depends upon your partner.
It is mostly safe to have oral during the periods, but there can be chances of spreading blood-borne STIs like HIV and Syphilis. The best way to stay safe during period sex is to use protection (like during normal sex).
Conclusion
If you have always felt eager and driven towards trying period sex, then we must say that you should leave behind the taboos and go for it. Trying it will help you decide whether it works for you or not. Period sex certainly involves a few risks, but so does the usual sexual intercourse. The only completely safe sex could be no sex, which is not an option. So, a little bit of care and protection can alleviate the risks of STIs and other infections and unwanted pregnancies.
Do you have any other questions regarding period sex? Let us know in the comment section below, and we will try addressing your questions in our upcoming blogs.
