You *Should* Be Having Sex On Your Period — Here’s Why

Photography by Getty ImagesPeriods dont have to bring our sex lives to a halt. In fact, getting busy while menstruating has benefits. By Meaghan Wray Date September 1, 2021 Facebook Twitter Ive never had sex on my period on purpose. There are only two circumstances in which this wouldve occurred by accident, or at the bitter end of my cycle when I couldnt wait to get it in. Two halves of my brain fight against each other when it comes to period sex: The part that is a raging feminist and wants to smear my endometrial lining on any man who dares cross my path, and another part that feels ashamed I even bleed at all. I grew up in the 90s and got my first period at 13. Periods were a dirty secret I didnt tell my mom or my friends for a year when I got mine. I hated it and the constant reminder from *gestures vaguely* society that I was dirty. At school, we were discouraged from even mentioning it outside of sex ed class and at the time, many public washrooms werent even equipped with pad or tampon dispensers. We used passive terms for it like Aunt Flo or monthly visitor instead of calling it what it is. Pads are commonly called sanitary napkins when nothing is unsanitary about them at all. Now 30 years old, I still refer to my period as Shark Week to help ease the tension of discussing periods with my sexual partners. They always laugh, so, mission accomplished? But as Ive come into my own in my late twenties, carrying around this weird shame among many others, namely my body size has become my ball and chain. For at least one week every month, my menstrual cycle runs the show. She dictates what I eat, how much exercise I do (or dont do), whose head I bite off, how I feel about my body, how horny I am and the fact that I cant have partnered sex or so I thought. Rachael Newton, the founder of period-care brandNixit, wants to change that. She first got the idea of creating a sustainable period product while living abroad on an island, and noticing just how much waste she was producing from tampons and pads alone. But while shopping for a menstrual cup, sifting through confusing information from some leading brands and chatting with friends about their period troubles, she finally decided to design one of her own. It took three years for the Nixit menstrual cup to come to fruition. The brands silicone cup, unlike tampons and other leading period cups, doesnt use absorption or suction to stay in place. Instead, it uses gravity and our bodies own unique natural forms to sit comfortably in place. Its super light, ultra flexible body leans against the pubic bone and vaginal fornix, higher up that most other products that sit at the base of the cervix in the vaginal canal, like a diaphragm. The material is thinner, lighter and more pliable, and the lack of suction allows for comfortable movement and shifting into the perfect position for you. And because it doesnt use suction, its actually a lot easier to insert and remove; while it sits higher, its easier to reach and take out with your fingertips no awkward pinching and tugging required. And yes, its perfect for period sex. Unlike other menstrual cups, Nixit sits higher up in the vaginal canal, not only reducing the amount of blood that can leak during sex, but also actually allowing for more comfortable penetration while its inserted. Orgasming during your period can help relieve menstrual pain Some people are totally comfortable with [period sex], and thats fine for them, Newton says. But for a lot of people [who arent comfortable with it], it opens up the conversation because theyre like, Ive got this product [and] it doesnt matter that I have my period. There are many reasons people may want to have sex on their periods, she explains. For some, their sex drive runs high while menstruating. And furthermore, orgasms can help with relieving cramps. Research shows that having sex on your period can relieve cramping pain thanks to the oxytocin and endorphins released after orgasm. Research by former professor and author Beverly Whipple found that womens pain tolerance and detection increased by 74.6 and 106.7 percent respectively after orgasm. Additionally, for those who experience pain during intercourse, period blood can act as extra lubricant during penetration, thereby increasing pleasure for both parties. Having period sex can be an act of sexual self-confidence and empowerment Beth* grew up knowing her period was a secret, encouraged by her mother to stay quiet about it and always feeling awkward bringing it up with partners. As she matured, being able to have sex on her period became an important part of her life and relationship with her partner, whos always been open to learning. I want to know that my partner is comfortable with all of my body, and period sex is a big part of that for me, she says. And having a longer than average period has meant that being comfortable with period sex is almost a necessity. Using Nixit has allowed Beth the freedom to not have to plan around her period, but rather make it a part of her life a move thats helped improve her sexual confidence tenfold. When I used a menstrual cup previously, I found it difficult to get excited about sex because planning around my complex menstrual cycle started to become a burden, she says. Using Nixit as a means of having mess-free period sex gave me flexibility to have sex whenever I want. On the other hand, when Stephanie* got her first period, her family took her out for dinner to celebrate. My parents never told me to hide it or not talk about it, and definitely never mentioned it was dirty she says. The most she was concerned about was smelling bad in high school, but periods were never an issue when it came to having sex. If sex was initiated, I would just say, By the way, I have my period right now, she says. Its never been an issue. The usual reaction from a partner was, lets get a dark towel or try the bathroom counter, to avoid making too much of a mess. Now, if were in the mood, its a non-issue, she adds. Period sex also has a lot to do with building body respect Millie* grew up in a period-friendly household; her grandfather was even a gynaecologist. But because her friends werent as vocal about periods, she didnt talk about it as much. The more comfortable she got with her body, the easier it became. In the beginning, I only ever mentioned my period as a warning before sex, she says. As I become more comfortable with my sexuality and my partners, it would become a more open conversation. Whats most important to me is that my partner respects my body That includes not shaming me for something thats natural to my body. At the end of the day, being able to enjoy our bodies on or off our periods is paramount to building a positive relationship to our own beings whether its sex with ourselves or sex with our partners, or exploring our bodies through using period cups. *Names have been changed at the sources request. Facebook Twitter The post You *Should* Be Having Sex On Your Period — Here’s Why appeared first on Patabook Fashion.

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