Do you avoid sex during period time?

Did you know about the many health benefits of period sex?

We don’t need to tell you about the numerous benefits of having an active sex life. Apart from the obvious positives, there are also numerous health benefits such as improving cardiovascular health, relieving stress, improving sleep and boosting your immune system. A 2013 study in the journal Cephalagia even showed that sexual activity could lead to “partial or complete relief” of migraine and cluster headaches in some patients. What’s not to love?

However, there is one time of the month when some couples avoid sex (and all of its many benefits) completely! A 2019 survey conducted by Bodyform of 2,000 people found that almost half of adults would ‘never’ have sex during a woman’s ‘time of the month’.

The survey found that reasons why many people avoid period sex include embarrassment, worries about the mess and fears that it’s more likely to lead to pregnancy or STIs.

Out of the women surveyed, more than half feel unclean, while 31 per cent simply don’t feel in the mood. Results for male participants showed that over half find it a turn off and one in five worry they will hurt their partner.

Sadly, misinformation and the taboo around period sex means that many people don’t even talk about the topic! This is a real shame because there are some definite health benefits of period sex.

The Health Benefits of Period Sex

Helps menstrual cramps

Sex causes your pelvic muscles to contract and release, which can reduce the pelvic pain and cramps that many women experience during menstruation.

Extra lubrication

Vaginal dryness is a common issue that many women face. This isn’t a problem with period sex, as there is plenty of natural, slippery fluid meaning you can have pleasurable sex without the use of a personal lubricant.

Pain-relieving orgasms

Orgasms are powerful as they are able to relieve many types of pain – including the discomfort and fatigue that comes with having a period. Period sex also releases endorphins that help with pain but also boost your mood.

Despite the many health benefits of period sex, Bodyform found that one in five adults believe it is a “taboo” subject. This is perhaps the reason by one in 10 of us have made excuses to avoid it such as not feeling well, being too tired of having a headache.

Despite the taboo, men are happier to have sex during a woman’s period than females are, and 21% of adults claim the idea of it doesn’t bother them at all!

But it’s not just period sex which is a sticking point. One in five adults wouldn’t talk to their partner about periods, with women stating it’s embarrassing, a turn off, or that their partner is just not very sympathetic.

Whether you choose to have period sex or not is a completely personal decision, but because of the taboo many couples never even have a conversation about it.

Whatever your personal preference, the most important thing is being able to open up and have healthy conversations about period sex and menstruation.