What’s the point of having a sword if you’re never going to get it bloody? That’s not a rhetorical question. I genuinely want readers to let me know.
Many consider period sex to be taboo. A 2009 study from the National Institutes of Health revealed that among a group of 92 sexually-experienced women, 37 said they would never engage in intercourse while menstruating.
Damn girls, that’s about 84 days a year that you aren’t getting jiggy!
In the same study, among a group of nine sexually-experienced men, seven said they have had sex with a menstruating partner. Meanwhile, a 1995 study — also from the NIH — revealed that of 287 women and 206 men, 70% of women and 72% of men were found to avoid sex during menstruation.
The primary misconception regarding sex during Shark Week is that menstrual blood is “dirty,” leading people to believe period sex to be unhygienic. Menstruation in general has a negative connotation, which has often stemmed from numerous cultural and religious norms that view it as a state of impurity.
Others may stray from period sex due to concerns about messiness, the potential to cause discomfort in their partner or increased risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Some also find period sex to be just plain weird. However, stirring the paint contains potential benefits, such as pain relief and increased intimacy.
Sure, not everyone is down for bloody sheets or potential discomfort. But think about this: orgasms during a period could ease cramps.
Hormonal shifts that occur during menstruation can intensify arousal and sensitivity, according to the International Planned Parenthood Federation. This not only means sex could feel more pleasurable — it might just be the friskiest natural remedy to ease aggravating period cramps.
Also, the average person loses a mere 6-8 teaspoons of blood during menstruation, according to an IPPF blog post. Meaning there isn’t a whole lot to worry about except maybe a couple of smears on the bed.
With factors like saliva, sweat, semen, squirt and rectal fluid, things are bound to get messy when you’re bumping privates. What’s one more fluid going to hurt? Damn it, put a towel down or go bone in the shower if it bothers you that much.
So, an inevitable mess awaits. But so does the possibility of a pain-relieving, intimate and pleasurable experience for partners worldwide.
And in regard to increased risk of pregnancy or STDs, a 2023 Mayo Clinic article stated that “there’s no totally safe time to have penis-in-vagina sex and not get pregnant.”
Because periods typically fall into the stage of the ovulation cycle where fertility is at a low, the possibility of pregnancy becomes less likely. However, the IPPF explained pregnancy is still possible due to early ovulation that occurs in some people, as well as the fact that sperm can survive inside a body for as much as a week.
Whether or not the crimson tide is flowing, all penetrative sex without protection risks STD transmission. The IPPF advises the use of condoms or another method of barrier protection, as well as the routine before-and-after wash of sex toys, to prevent STDs. This practice will also aid in deterring unwanted pregnancies.
Ultimately, whether you are down for some red-hot romance or you’d rather wait until the coast is clear, it’s all about open communication with your partner. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to intimacy, no pun intended.
What works for one couple during hanky panky doesn’t mean it’ll work for another. But by normalizing the conversation around period sex, we can break away from outdated stigmas while continuing to tap some ass.
So when Aunt Flo comes a’knockin’, don’t let her keep you from a’rockin’.
Ellie Marty can be reached at [email protected].