fbpx

FIND OUT ANYTHING ABOUT SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Debunking period sex myths

Debunking period sex myths

‘Sex’ and ‘periods’ are still taboo subjects in the Philippines. Since they’re not often talked about openly, there are still a lot of myths and misconceptions about these two things. And when you combine the two — sex during periods — that creates a whole new set of myths!

In this article, let’s debunk some of the most common period sex myths that you may have heard at least once in your life.

Myth #1 You can’t get pregnant

This is definitely not true. The chances of getting pregnant is low, but there’s still always a possibility even when you have sex during your period.

For those who have menstrual cycles that last for at least 28 days, they are least fertile during their period. Fertility then peaks during the ovulation stage, which often occurs 12 to 16 days before the next period starts.

However, menstrual cycle lengths can vary in length every month. Sperm cells can survive inside the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days.

Because of this, those who have menstrual cycles that are 21 days or shorter have a high chance of getting pregnant if they have unprotected sex during their period. Or if your cycle is usually 28 days long and there’s a variation in cycle length that causes you to ovulate earlier, then you may get pregnant after having unprotected sex during your period.

Myth #2 It’s messy

Okay, period sex can get messy, but there’s something you can do about it. Period blood doesn’t gush out of the body; rather, it only comes out in drops.

You can lay a dark-colored towel on the bed to prevent stains on your sheets. Better have a wet washcloth or pack of wet wipes near the bed as well so you can clean up afterwards.

Or better yet, have sex in the shower. Besides being exciting, you can totally prevent the bloody mess.

Myth #3 It’s painful

Sex might be the last thing on your mind if you often experience painful periods. But period sex can help relieve pain, specifically abdominal cramps and headaches.

Orgasms can make the muscles of the uterus contract, then release — that release can help relieve cramps. Besides that, sexual activity causes the body to release endorphins, the “feel-good” hormone. It’s considered as the body’s natural pain reliever; plus, it promotes pleasure.

There are, however, some people who may experience some pain or discomfort when having sex during their period. If you’re one of them, you can experiment with positions or do other stuff besides penetrative sex (such as mutual masturbation or outercourse).

Myth #4 It’s going to make periods heavier

Your period won’t necessarily be heavier. What happens is that the muscle contractions during an orgasm push out contents of the uterus faster, which make it seem like your period is heavier. Since more uterine contents come out during sex, your period may be shorter as a result.

Sources:

Watson, S. (March 31, 2023). Is It Safe to Have Sex During Your Period? Tips, Benefits, and Side Effects. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/sex-during-periods 

Hussein, J. (October 2, 2021). 6 Major Period Sex Myths, Debunked. Stylecaster. https://stylecaster.com/period-sex-myths/ 

Myths about Period Sex. (October 13, 2020). Imbue Natural. https://imbuenatural.com/blogs/blog/myths-about-period-sex 

Cohut, M. (February 8, 2019). 5 menstruation myths you must leave behind. MedicalNewsToday. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324403

Please follow and like us:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Modal's Close Icon