Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

I’m sure you can tell me plenty of reasons why sex during your period and especially at the height of premenstrual syndrome seems unsafe and undesirable for you. But I can tell you that period sex is entirely safe. Moreover, it can even make you feel better!

As I am a woman too, I know how you sometimes think that the list of PMS effects will never end – all those disturbed sleep, bloating, cramps and interference with the sex life make the existence unbearable. But after symptoms of PMS ease once your period starts, you begin to feel better and ponder if sex during your menstruation is safe. Trust me, it is actually safe, and having it or not is just a question of personal preference, which most likely depends on how heavy your bleeding is.

Menstrual Cycle and Sex Drive

Researches can show me and you that our interest in sex, which is most often assessed by our willingness to initiate the action, tends to peak before and after the ovulation. This process occurs about two weeks after the first day of the last period. It means that by the beginning of PMS symptoms (usually from week to a couple of days before the next period starts), we are not thinking about sex as much as we were a week before.

I remember the saying of Jennie Campbell Leslie, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist, that it’s natural and aimed at the persistence of the species, that our sex drive is strongest during our fertile period or ovulation. After this libido lowers and reaches its lower limit during menstruation. However, he pointed out (and we have to agree with him) that there’re like a hundred of other things affecting our libido – from stress and sleep to our feelings about the partner.

Sex and PMS

Of course, we can imagine a lot of reasons for not being interested in sex during PMS. Its symptoms like breast tenderness, headaches, cramping and bloating can’t make the idea physically appealing. Considering also the emotional symptoms like depression, stress and irritability, the prospect of sex also becomes unattractive. But I came to a conclusion that sex can really be a good way for us to relieve some PMS symptoms, for example, tension and anxiety, because our body’s response to stress usually decreases when we are aroused.

The benefit of having sex is that being sexually active relaxes you and makes you feel comfortable. However, I’d like to warn you: if you have cramps, you will probably find that orgasm temporarily make them worse, because during orgasm the chemicals are released which stimulate the uterine contractions.

Playing It Safe

Having or not having sex during our period becomes an inevitable question for us and our partners after some time of living together. I have solved this question for myself: period sex is as safe as at any other time. The decision you take will be completely personal and based on the comfort level of you and your partner.

So, if I was able to convince you to try, please also keep in mind some important things:

1. Do not forget about sexually transmitted diseases. This does not mean that you are at a greater risk during period, but still you are at risk as at any other time. You still need to use latex condoms for protection. And I would also suggest women having HIV to refrain from period sex as even with a condom some amount of blood will make transmission more likely.

2. Do not forget about pregnancy. Although it is vary rare, women still can conceive during menstruation. If you are not planning a child, make sure you practice birth control during period too.

That’s about it! I know, you still might not feel to be at your sexiest during premenstrual syndrome and period, but trust me – you can have sex and it even may improve your mood!