Many women still have reservations about having sex during their period. These are usually completely unfounded. Nevertheless, there are a few things you should be aware of when you become intimate with your partner during menstruation. We'll explain what these are in the following.
Sex and menstruation - the most important things at a glance
- From a medical point of view, sex despite menstruation is harmless.
- Menstruation is natural and does not make sex during your period unhygienic.
- Contraception should be used to prevent unwanted pregnancy despite your period.
- Not every woman wants to be intimate during her period.
- If your partner has concerns about sex during your period, a frank discussion can help.
Can I have sex despite my period?
You may be asking yourself in general whether you are allowed to have sex at all during your period. The answer is a resounding yes. From a purely medical point of view, there is absolutely nothing to stop you from getting close to your partner and having sex during your period.
Hygiene during menstrual sex
During your period, your body sheds the lining of the uterus that it has built up for a possible pregnancy. This is known to cause the bleeding associated with your period. However, this is by no means unhygienic and does not turn sex into something dirty.
Normal hygiene measures for the intimate area are perfectly adequate even during your period. You can take a shower before sex if you want, so that you feel completely comfortable. Apart from that, you don't need to do anything special.
Remove the tampon before sex
If you don't use our comfortable period pants during your period, but instead use a tampon, you must remove it before having sex.
This is not absolutely necessary with special soft tampons. However, they can also be a nuisance during sex. It may therefore be a good idea to remove them too, or at least not to insert them shortly beforehand, so that they don't dry out your vagina.
How can I have sex during my period?
The fact that you have your period doesn't mean that you have to limit yourself in any way during sex. Basically, everything you normally like to do is allowed during your period too.
If it's your first time, it may help to move your lovemaking to the shower if you feel more comfortable doing so and are otherwise afraid of soiling your bed.
HIV risk is increased during menstruation
Bleeding naturally occurs during your period. This means that the risk of infection with HIV is higher. If you and your partner are not sure whether you are both healthy, it is best to use condoms.
Of course, this also applies to the other phases of your cycle, although the risk of infection outside of your menstruation may be somewhat lower.
Contraception during sex is necessary despite periods
The opinion that you cannot get pregnant during your period is widespread. However, this is not true. The risk may be relatively low. However, pregnancy is possible.
Your partner's sperm can survive in your body for several days and, depending on the length of your cycle, may be able to fertilise your egg. To be on the safe side, you should therefore also use contraception during your period, unless you want to have a child.
Why do I have less desire during my period?
Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can have a significant impact on your sexual pleasure. Most women have a particularly high desire for sex on their fertile days. Since your period is not the most fertile part of your cycle, it is not unusual for you to have little desire for intimacy with your partner during your period.
However, it is also possible that the opposite is the case and that you have a lot of desire. Both are perfectly normal and can vary from woman to woman. In the end, all that matters is how you feel and what you feel like doing during your period.
Period pains and pain during sex
There is probably not a single woman who has not experienced period pain in her life. If you also experience pain during your period, it's more than understandable that you don't feel much like having sex. But the antispasmodic effect of an orgasm can help to relieve your period pain.
So it's worth giving it a try, despite your reservations. However, this does not mean that having sex during your period is painless. If 
you feel pain during intercourse, it is not normal and you should talk to your gynaecologist and, if necessary, talk to your partner about it.
How can I ease my partner's concerns?
Of course, it's not enough if you're the only one who feels like having sex during your period, while your partner doesn't like the idea and may even be disgusted by it. Experience has shown that it helps to talk openly with each other.
Keep in mind that your boyfriend is probably much less familiar with the female cycle and menstruation than you are. It's important to take his feelings and concerns seriously. Maybe you can talk together and find a solution that you both feel comfortable with.
Certain contraceptives can affect your sex life
Depending on which contraceptive method you choose, your periods can become heavier or lighter. In some cases, you may not have a period at all. If you feel your sex life is limited by a heavy period, it may be worth considering which contraceptive to use.
Sex during the menopause
When women go through the menopause, it's not uncommon to have two weeks of continuous bleeding due to the changes in the menstrual cycle. This can sometimes be spotting.
During this time, many couples inevitably ask themselves how they should deal with the issue of sex during bleeding. Just as with younger women, there is nothing wrong with it during the menopause. If your vagina is dry, you can simply use a lubricant if necessary.
Sex and menstruation - our conclusion
As you can see, sex during your period is neither unhygienic nor harmful to you in any way. As long as you keep a few things in mind and both you and your partner are comfortable with them, there's nothing to stop you having a fulfilling love life during your period.
