Photo courtesy of the author. This year I found myself hooking up with a Media Bro who was rude in a really hot way. Since I was on my period, I felt bloated, cranky, and hyper-aware of my bedroom's lack of noodles, so I didn't feel like having sex—plus, I was babysitting a pug, Frank, who was watching us from a pile of clothes in the closet, awake-snoring in a way that I interpreted as disapproving. But on a deeper level, I think, I harbored a perception that period sex is reserved for people in relationships. My first thought was: Woah, he was fucking in middle school? When I was in middle school I thought "handjobs" meant sucking people's fingers.
When periods start
1. Talk It Out
Here are basic answers to some of the most common questions about menstruation during the early years. Keep in mind that it never hurts to talk to a parent, caregiver, family friend, or a doctor about anything regarding your period that concerns you. If you are having your menstrual period, your body is mature enough for using tampons. While many girls get their first periods between age 12 and 14, you may have your first period at a younger or older age. Whether to use tampons or not is a personal decision, there is no age restriction. You must be sure to change it every four to six hours to lessen the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Use the lowest absorbency available and start with those that have a smooth plastic applicator with a rounded tip rather than cardboard.
1. Talk to your partner about what you want—and don't.
Not to mention if you have a heavy flow, when the idea of anything near your vagina other than a tampon, pad or menstrual cup seems like a recipe for carnage. While you can see some of the reasons for choosing to avoid it, there are other people out there who find sex during their period to be a positive experience. In fact there are some people who enjoy period sex so much they actively seek it out. The first time Jenni had period sex was at the beginning of , and now she does it regularly. She also has more shower sex during her period. Blood is just blood. Louise says that she feels more sensitive around her time of the month and that an orgasm can be the perfect way to relieve period pains. Other people like the extra layer of intimacy it can bring with a partner. A little icky and a little bit more real. But, like Jenni, she does acknowledge that her sex drive is much higher when she is on her period.
While it actually is in some cultures, there are a lot of great reasons to not limit sexy fun to only certain weeks during the month. The first thing to do is not freak out and make your partner uncomfortable. You may just discover that sex during her period offers a whole other level of excitement and opportunity. One way to minimize the mess and any cleanup is to try having sex in the shower instead of your bed. Wearing a condom can help minimize post-sex cleanup. If you and your partner are feeling adventurous, by all means, switch up positions as much as you normally would. That being said, there are a few go-tos that are best when having sex in this situation. For those intrigued, a Softcup is exactly what you think: A cup-shaped, flexible object that she inserts into her vagina instead of using a tampon.
