No doubt, a blend of two things that most of us have been raised to chat about in super hushed tones can fuel your blushes, rather than a conversation. But there is zero to feel weird about. Menstruation is a natural bodily function, and, thanks to a testosterone spike that you may experience in the middle days of your flow, you could find yourself bang up for getting down.
Plus, according to menstrual cup-makers Intimina, women will 'lose six years of great sex,' over a lifetime, if they do swerve period sex.
So. What do you need to think about? Will it be more Texas Chainsaw Massacre, less Vicky Cristina Barcelona? Do you still need to use contraception?
Scroll on for expert thoughts on the things you might not know about being jiggy to the tune of your flow.
1. Period sex doesn’t have to be messy
'How period sex is approached is unique to each couple Some might prefer to have shower sex while menstruating to make it less messy,' says Anna Druet, Science and Education Lead at menstrual tracking app, Clue.
'You might want to wear a tampon up until intercourse, and then use lubrication or lay a towel on top of your bedding.'
So long as the pair of you are feeling good about what's happening, she says that there is 'no reason to avoid having sex while menstruating.'
2. Is safe sex during periods? Erm, yes
Just in case you were harbouring any thoughts about the sanitation of your period.
'Menstrual blood is a bodily fluid – it is in no way contaminated and being near it is not going to cause your partner any health problems,' says Lara Briden, a women's health specialist and author of The Period Repair Manual.
'There's some weird stigmas around it, thanks to misogyny in our culture – but your period blood is all good.'
RELATED: 12 Women Share How They Really Feel About Period Sex
3. Orgasms may ease cramps
Woo hoo. 'The endorphins released by orgasms may help relieve menstrual cramps (and stress) for some people,' Druet says.
4. You might feel more in the mood
It is fundamentally not weird to want to have sex while the river runs red. 'You might be more in the mood while you're on, thanks to rising testosterone a few days into your period,' Brinder says.
'You just need to listen to your own body and not to what other people say about when libido 'should' be high.'
5. Period sex = natural lubricants are in town
'Sex at this time obviously makes for the most naturally lubricated sex of all, Druet adds. 'Menstruation can be an especially great time for shower sex, when you’re less likely to have to re-apply lube, which can wash away quickly in the shower.'
6. Know that some positions might feel less comfortable
It does bear in mind thinking about this.
'On most days, including on the days of menstruation, your cervix is likely to be positioned relatively low in your abdomen.
As you near ovulation, the cervix tends to rise in the abdomen (there is little research on this phenomenon, but it’s a well-documented element of fertility tracking),' Druet explains. 'Because of these changes, you may find deeper-entry sex positions, such as on all fours with a partner behind you, feel less comfortable outside of your fertile window, as opposed to being more comfortable around ovulation, when the cervix is higher.'
7. Can you get pregnant on your period?
Very important to remember, if you use condoms as your method of contraception.
'You don’t have to ovulate on your period to be able to get pregnant during your period,' Druet elaborates.
'Sperm can survive in your reproductive tract for several days, so it is possible to be in your fertile window (and therefore get pregnant) while you are menstruating.'
'In fact, a recent study we conducted into the use of condoms from a female perspective found a worrying trend – the reported use condoms declined 15% during menstruation.
Straight up: you can get pregnant during your period, although the day-specific risk is variable and depends on your cycle, age and health.
This article originally appeared on Women's Health UK.
