Ah, Period Sex.

I have to say, I’m a pretty new member of the Period Sex Fanclub. As such, my reasons for resistance are still pretty fresh in the skull. I will now list those reasons, and tell you how and why they were so, SO wrong.

I thought having sex on my period was icky.

That’s right, I was that girl. I thought sex on my period was icky. And then… I came to my senses. Icky? ICKY? Ok, logic time. Sex is kind of icky, but in a super awesome, super hot way….and sure, periods are kind of icky….but I like sex but not my period? They’re both things that my body does, and does naturally. Why shouldn’t I combine them? Am I ASHAMED of my period? I let dudes do me in the butt (and, um….that’s where poop comes from) so why shouldn’t I let them do me on my period? Not because it’s icky, surely. As the man I lost my period-stained virginity to so eloquently put it…“It’s just more lube.” Amen to that.

If, however, you’re still a little freaked out by the mess, here are a few tricks to put your mind at ease.

* Put down a towel. For those who squirt, you know the drill. It’s a good idea to pull out some towels when you start your period that month  and have them handy, just so you don’t have to go rummaging in your linen closet when the mood strikes. You don’t have to sacrifice spontaneity for clean sheets.

*Do it in the shower! It’s a great way to ease yourself in.

*When you’re in the throes, stick to slow moves and variations on the missionary position. Remember your high school Physics class? Gravity and Inertia. If you’re freaked out by the mess, now might not be a good time to get on top and hump away.

Aside from thinking that sex on my period would be in icky mess, I thought to myself- “Ugh. I may be horny, but I also feel like I’m being beaten in the uterus with a sledgehammer. All I want to do is curl up in a little ball and watch reruns of the Golden Girls.” Sex just didn’t seem like it would be a good idea. Oh, how wrong I was.

*Having sex, and especially having an orgasm, can actually HELP with your cramps. It’s a lot better for you, and WAY more satisfying, then taking a Midol.

*Not to mention, having and orgasm will actually LESSEN the length of your period. The contractions of your PC muscles during orgasm help your uterus expel it’s goodies much faster than it would on its lonesome. Help a sister out.

*Many of us are actually our randiest during the red season. Not only that, we’re actually at our most SENSITIVE. Ever since I started having Period Sex, my orgasms have been unFREAKINGbeleivable. If that’s not an impetus to try it, I just don’t know what is.

For me, and for a lot of other young women, one of the main reasons that Period Sex is off-putting is that we’re afraid our partner will be grossed out by it. After all, for many of us, periods were a huge source of stress and embarrassment during our teenage years, and those scars don’t heal quickly. I remember one of my friends got her period for the first time during English class and ran out of the classroom. Everybody watched as the school nurse came in and cleaned up the mess she left on her chair. Eep. No wonder we want to hide our periods. But with the right person, sex on your period is neither gross nor embarrassing, but intimate and liberating. It took a real commitment for me to try it for the first time, and it was my BOYFRIEND who talked ME into it! More often than not, it’s not our partners who are grossed out by our periods, it’s us.

*Don’t be afraid to broach that subject. While some men are uncomfortable with Period Sex, most are VERY open to it. Nearly all of the men I’ve dated have been. However, if you or your partner are NOT comfortable with the idea of Period Sex, don’t push it. Like with all aspects of sex, to each his or her own.

*If it IS right for the both of you, take it slow, take it easy, and enjoy it. Sex during such an intimate and vulnerable time for your body can really bring you closer together.

*P.S. Don’t listen when someone tells you not to use protection during your period. Because sperm can live up in ya for for a few days, and because sometimes our cycles are so wonky that we can even OVULATE DURING our periods, it is NOT IMPOSSIBLE to get pregnant when you have period sex. So be safe! As an added bonus, using a diaphragm is another great way to keep the mess to a minimum.

Remember, ye who doubt the greatness of Period Sex. I was once among you, and now…now I’m having fabulous sex on my period. My shorter, lighter, less cramped, orgasm-enhancing period. It’s natural. It’s groovy, and it feels fantastic. It’s time to join the revolution, ladies.

Videos on this topic: Period Sex — Go With the Flow Part 1, Part 2, Period Sex Yay or Nay

As “Period Sex Preferences” clearly points out, there’s a wide range of feelings about having sex during menstruation. For some, it’s out of the question. For others, it’s a must. And still many others fall somewhere in between, finding it to be enjoyable (for themselves and/or for their partners) only under certain circumstances. In order to formulate your own opinions about sex on the rag, it may be useful to consider the potential benefits and risks of this sexual behavior. So, let’s map it out!

Benefits: Besides the typical perks of sex, period sex can have many unique benefits for a woman. For instance, many women report that sexual activity helps to alleviate headaches, cramps, and fatigue associated with menstruation. This may be due to the ‘feel-good’ endorphins, which are released during orgasm. Research also shows that orgasms can reduce the length of menstruation up to a couple of days. Though this may sound too good to be true, biology has an explanation: during an orgasm, a hormone called oxytocin signals a series of contractions by the uterus, which might actually lead to a shorter period!

Risks: Besides ruining the bed sheets, sex on your period isn’t a particularly dangerous activity. With that being said, there are still a few ‘standard’ risks which need to be kept in mind. If you’re concerned about transmitting STDs or HIV, make sure to use some sort of barrier method. Also, never rely on menstruation as a form of birth control! This myth needs to be put to rest, once and for all.

So, what do you do if sex or foreplay during menstruation appeals to you but not your partner? First of all, never pressure your partner into doing something that he or she isn’t comfortable with! If your partner only feels uneasy about the idea of ‘excessive’ blood, try discussing how period sex can be made a bit less messy. For instance, try taking a shower immediately before sexual play. Also, if you’re not planning on intercourse, prevent blood flow by using a tampon or menstrual cap. Both options will not interfere with clitoral stimulation. Though many people report that these methods do not completely remove the iron-taste of menstrual blood (as Tobly describes), they do reduce the amount of fluids being dealt with. If your partner still isn’t interested, don’t fret! Masturbation can bring you all of the same benefits as well as help you become more comfortable with menstruation during sex. So, all of this talk basically boils down to two main objectives: communication and experimentation. They’re sure-fire ways to attaining sexual pleasure in a way that’s comfortable for both you and your partner.

And sex really doesn’t get much better than that… Period. ☺

Watch Video: Period Sex Preferences