During menstruation, many people do not feel sexual at all and so refrain from having intercourse. Others may worry that their wellness and wellbeing may be compromised by having sex when they are on their periods. This feeling can come from folklore, tradition or religion, or simply a feeling that it is ‘not right’. In some traditional households, women are not allowed to pray, touch anything holy or go anywhere that is thought to be ‘near God’ when they are menstruating.
Nevertheless, many people do not fully understand about having sex during their period, and wonder if intercourse during their period means that they will not fall pregnant. In truth, the chances of falling pregnant during your period are minimal, because your body is shedding the lining of the uterus, and even if the unfertilized egg happened to be present, it would be unlikely to stick. The hormones are not generally conducive to pregnancy during your period, either. This does not mean that it is impossible, however, and you should still take every precaution to make sure that pregnancy does not occur. You are also even more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases during your period, making condoms even more of a necessity.
Many women suffer from painful cramps and bloating during their periods, and may also suffer from mood swings. This may make sex the last thing that they feel like doing, and that is perfectly normal. It is interesting to note, however, that sex when you are on your period is actually more intense, as your sexual organs are engorged, leading to increased sensitivity and better orgasms.
IF you do have sex whilst on your period you may find that the contractions of the uterus and the hormones in the semen cause your period to ‘speed up’ and that the whole thing is over much quicker than you might expect.