These kinds of taboos impact a woman's emotions, mentality, health, lifestyle and also their sex life. When on their period women tend to sexually distance themselves from their partners even though, let's be honest, we do get really horny during our periods!
According to a study in 2013 published in Hormones and Behavior, researchers found that changing levels of estrogen and progesterone had serious effects on libido. On the 1st few days of your period when your estrogen level drop, you probably won't feel that horny but as they rise on day 2 or 3, so does your sexual desire.
Since Malaysians weren't really given proper sexual education except that sex is a sin and we should not do it before marriage, many of us are still confused about most sexual related things and when you combine sex and periods, the more confused we get. So, just to clarify some things for you, here are some of the myths about period sex that are far from the truth:
Myth #1 Period sex increases chances of infections
Menstrual blood is a mixture of healthy blood and tissues that the body no longer needs, it is 100% NOT harmful! All those stories about period blood being dirty, impure and could cause infections that could spread if another person comes into contact with it is not true. So if your partner gets a little blood on their genital during sex, they aren't going to get any infections.
Myth #2 Period sex is messy
Just to clarify, yes, period sex can get messy if you don't take proper steps to prevent it from getting messy. The best way to avoid the mess is having shower sex because nothing gets stained and it basically cleans itself. If you are having sex on the bed then lay a towel down before so that it will be easier to clean once you're done.
Besides that, you can also use menstrual discs or vaginal diaphragms that will collect flow during your sexy time and make things less messy for you. You can also use vaginal sponges that once inserted are invisible and virtually undetectable by your partner.
Myth #3 Period sex is painful
Whoever came up with this myth clearly didn't know that sexual activity can actually reduce pain because it releases hormones that ease your cramps. When you orgasm, your body releases endorphins which are feel-good hormones or natural painkillers which can temporarily relieve pain.
Besides that, you get cramps during your period because your uterus is contracting to help shed its lining but orgasms contract and then relaxes the uterus physically which helps relieve the pain.
Myth #4 You can't get pregnant during period sex
This is a very dangerous myth to believe in because it is completely NOT TRUE! There is ALWAYS a risk of pregnancy when having unprotected sex, period or no period doesn't make a difference. It is definitely possible because sperm can live in the female body for up to five days. So if you had sex during your period but there's a change in your ovulation window, then those fast swimmers might just reach their destination.
Myth #5 Period pain and bleeding make women less horny
As mentioned before, this is the complete opposite of what happens! Yes, we might be curled up in a ball with a hot pack in bed but that doesn't mean that we aren't horny! Our crazy hormones also make our libido and sexual desire crazy too!
Myth #6 You can't get STIs during period sex
Another dangerous myth to believe in! Period blood isn't dirty but if you have an STI, it can carry it and spread it to the other person. In fact, STIs can pass spread through any bodily fluid exchange, period or no period! This is another reason to always use a condom as it is the only form of contraception that protects against infections and diseases.
At the end of the day remember that you get to choose if you want to have sex on your period or not and your partner also gets a say in whether or not they feel comfortable doing so. So, what do you think about period sex? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
