With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we thought we’d share our very best tips for enjoying great period sex - without the mess!

So, can you have sex during your period? Yes, absolutely! Having sex during your period is completely safe and can even be beneficial for lifting your mood. It is also reported that orgasms help to relieve period cramps! Many people experience a surge in libido during their period, so if this is you - go for it. As with any sex, it should always be mutually consensual between you and your partner, and you should take the same precautions to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. 

6 tips for great period sex

1. Use a towel or head to the shower

For those who are comfortable with a little mess, it may be enough to simply put a towel down to prevent any stains. Others may like to use it as an excuse to enjoy period sex in the shower, where the water takes care of any mess for you! Always speak to your partner to see what they’re comfortable with, and take this into account. While periods are completely normal and natural, not everyone is comfortable with the sight of blood and this should be respected. 

2. Sponges for period sex

A great way to have mess-free sex during your period is by using purpose made period sponges. They’re soft, pliable, invisible once inserted and virtually undetectable by your partner. For hygiene reasons, we recommend choosing a single-use period sponge like the Beppy Sponge (available in pre-lubricated wet or dry varieties) for use during sex. Beppy Sponges come individually wrapped, so you can keep them in your handbag for those times when you’re in the mood and on the move! 

The Beppy Sponge. 

3. Use a menstrual disc

If sponges are not your thing, or you want a reusable product for mess-free period sex, choose a menstrual disc like the Ziggy Cup , Lumma or Stamina Freedom  Disc. These discs can be reused for many years, making it a great eco-conscious and budget-friendly option. It is made with 100% medical-grade silicone, with a firm rim to be held in place around the cervix and behind the pubic bone. It’s different from a regular rigid menstrual cup as it has a flat shape and an ultra-thin, flexible base.

Menstrual discs have a little flexible silicone bowl that catches your flow and can be worn for up to 12 hours, meaning you can pop it in before you head out for date night and virtually forget you’re on your period at all. It can’t be felt by your partner during sex and is easy to remove and clean after the deed is done - simply hook your finger around the rim and pull it out, then use some menstrual cup wash to disinfect. Rinse well, reinsert and you’re good to go.

The Ziggy Cup Menstrual Disc

4. Remember: you can still get pregnant during your period

Menstrual discs and sponges may create a barrier to prevent blood spills during sex, but they don’t provide a barrier that protects against pregnancy. If you’re preventing pregnancy, remember to use a condom or other form of birth control as well as your sponge or disc. It's a popular misconception that you can't get pregnant during your period, and although it is unlikely, it certainly isn't impossible. Sponges and menstrual discs also don’t protect against STIs, so always use protection! 

5. Enjoy oral sex instead

Oral sex can be great during your period, and can be completely mess-free when wearing a menstrual cup, sponge, menstrual disc or even a tampon! For those who don’t feel comfortable with penetrative sex during their period, this is another great way to be intimate with your partner - while enjoying all the period pain-relieving benefits of orgasms. Hooray!

6. Don't use your menstrual cup during sex

There have been reports of some people attempting to use their menstrual cup during penetrative sex. We hate to be a party pooper, but we believe this is a big no-no for a number of reasons. Not only will it likely be uncomfortable for you, using a menstrual cup during sex can be uncomfortable and dangerous for your partner too. Most menstrual cups have a stem which could cause some painful mishaps, and your cup could end up pushed too deep inside you, causing pain. In addition to this, remember that your menstrual cup works by creating a suction seal in the vagina - if this seal is disrupted during sex, it will most likely lead to a spill. Spilling a whole cup worth of blood at once? Not such a pretty sight. It’s definitely best to switch your trusty menstrual cup for a menstrual disc or sponge during period sex.