Can I Have Sex On My Period?

Communicate with your partner

Open and honest communication with your partner is key. As with any sexual encounter, it’s important to have full consent and an open discussion about sexual preferences, comfort levels, and any other potential concerns. Having a conversation before deciding to have sex on your period is essential to ensure both partners have a satisfying, comfortable, and most importantly, safe experience.

Lay down a towel and keep rags on-hand

Having sex can get messy, especially when you’re on your period. Placing a towel down to catch any menstrual flow is a great way to make the clean up a bit easier. Keeping some rags or wet wipes nearby can also be helpful for quick cleanups, ensuring that any potential messes don’t take away from the overall experience.

While not transmitted sexually, being proactive about your sexual health can also reduce your likelihood of developing bacterial vaginosis, UTIs, or yeast infections.

Try new positions to ease discomfort

Having sex on your period can be a different experience than usual. Some people have found that certain sex positions are more enjoyable⁽⁹⁾. 

Practice safe sex

While on your period, it’s still important to use protection and maintain your safe sex practices. Using protection, like condoms, is just as vital during your menstrual cycle. 

Pregnancy is still a possibility during menstruation, and it's important to recognize that the body might be more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during this time. Generally, you may have a vaginal pH between 3.8 to 5.0, but during menstruation, the vagina becomes more alkaline, allowing microbes to survive and multiply in your reproductive tract⁽¹⁰⁾. 

Remember that everyone’s experience with period sex is different, so remember to adapt these tips to what works best for you and your needs. By prioritizing your comfort and safety, you can have a more pleasurable experience during your period while still maintaining your sexual and urinary health. 

Period Sex: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get pregnant if I have sex during my period?

The short answer - yes, you can still get pregnant if you have sex during your period. Since ovulation cycles vary, it is possible that you could become pregnant while menstruating. Menstrual cycle variability and irregularity can make it difficult to predict when you are most fertile. In some cases, it’s possible to ovulate shortly after your period ends. If you want to avoid pregnancy, continue to use contraception and protection when having sex during your period⁽¹¹⁾. 

Can I have oral sex on my period?

Yes, you can have oral sex on your period. Like with any sexual activity, it’s a matter of personal preference and consent. If both you and your partner feel comfortable engaging in oral sex while you're menstruating, then go ahead and enjoy⁽¹²⁾!

While having oral sex is safe during menstruation, some people like to have a thorough wash or shower beforehand. Just like any time you are sexually active, maintaining good hygiene is a great option to enhance the experience for both partners. If you have concerns about STIs, you can continue to use  dental dams during oral sex during your period, as STIs can still be transmitted during this time⁽¹²⁾.

Can I have anal sex on my period?

Yes, it’s safe to have anal sex while menstruating. Just as any other time you are engaging in sexual activity,  anal sex during your period is a matter of personal preference and comfort for you and your partner. It’s important to engage in an open dialogue to ensure both parties are enthusiastically willing and comfortable with any type of sexual activity. 

Can I stop my period during sex?

This is a common question but no, it's not possible to stop your period during sex. The menstrual cycle is a natural and complex biological process primarily governed by hormonal changes in your body. These hormonal fluctuations trigger the shedding of the uterine lining, which results in menstruation⁽¹³⁾. 

While there are ways to manage the discomfort during your period, the underlying hormonal processes responsible for menstruation cannot be stopped nor altered through sex.

Does period sex cause UTIs?

Some females experience UTIs after sex, and other women report patterns of UTI development during or following their menstrual cycle. While sexual activity does not necessarily cause urinary tract infections, there is a risk that bacteria will make its way into the urinary tract during intercourse, where it can then multiply and result in infection⁽¹⁴⁾. 

If you experience UTI symptoms or suspect a UTI is developing, talk to your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The choice is yours!

As with any type of sexual activity, the choice is yours! Remember that communication is key when it comes to sexual activity. Communicating your desires, concerns, and preferences can be challenging – but we believe that knowledge is power. When we have more knowledge about health risks and benefits,  we can feel more confident in making informed health choices. We hope that by having an open discussion with your partner before engaging in sex during your period, you can enjoy a fulfilling and mutually satisfying experience during menstruation.

Note: References to "female" and “male” in this article refer to sex assigned at birth, not gender. This article does not replace medical advice. We recommend you seek treatment if you think you are experiencing a UTI or any other type of infection.

This article does not replace medical advice. We recommend you seek treatment if you think you are experiencing a UTI or any other type of infection.