How to Talk to Your Partner About Period Sex

You’d think the most intimate thing about sex would be… the sex. But apparently not. It seems talking about sex and our sexual wants and needs is way more daunting. That’s certainly the case when it comes to period sex.

What’s the big deal?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having full intercourse when you’re on your period. But it’s a personal choice. If it makes you, or your partner, feel uncomfortable or squeamish, you might want to find other ways of getting frisky - like oral sex.

It all comes down to consent – you might be up for it (periods can make you feel more horny) but they’re put off, or they may have no problem with it, but you do.

The most important thing is to be honest about how you both feel. Tell them you’re on your period, ask if they’re cool (or not) and take it from there. No pressure. No drama.

Get your facts straight

Period sex gets a bad rap. But did you know, it can actually help alleviate some of the symptoms, such as stomach cramps, and orgasms can shorten your period by expelling more blood than usual. This blood is completely harmless and, on the plus side, it’s a fantastic natural lube.

On a practical note, you will need to remove your menstrual cup or tampon before intercourse. Of course, that does mean sex may be a little messier but there are plenty of ways round that. Read our article on ‘How to Have Period Sex’.

There are a couple of watch-outs that are worth knowing. Firstly, because your cervix is slightly more open during your menstrual cycle, you’re at a higher risk of infection from an STI. Secondly, you can still get pregnant while you’re on your period. Two good reasons why it makes sense to use condoms.