For a natural function based on monthly regularity, periods can be pretty unpredictable!
They can arrive when we least expect it, and are partial to a ‘fashionably late’ entrance.
The truth is, many factors can impact your period’s punctuality. In this blog, we address if sex is one of them.
What’s the Relationship Between Sex and your Period?
The preference for having sex during your period changes from person to person.
While it can be messy, the bottom line is that if you and your partner both feel comfortable, there’s no reason not to have a bit of between-the-sheets fun. In fact, there can even be some benefits to it!
Having sex releases endorphins that lessen pain, so it can be an effective method of pain relief from menstrual cramps. A 2013 study also found that having sex during this time can alleviate symptoms of period-related headaches or migraines.
Plus, having sex during your period negates the need for lube, as blood provides a natural lubricant for comfortable sex.
Can Sex Make Your Period Come Earlier?
Periods are shrouded in myths and mistruths - including this one! So if you’re asking yourself if sex can make your period come earlier, the short answer is no. That being said, having an orgasm during sex can kick start your period - but only by a fraction.
This is because climaxing causes your uterus to contract, which can encourage your body to start shedding your uterine lining. However, this only happens if your body was already in the process of starting menstruation. So, while it doesn’t technically cause your period to start ‘early’, the wheels that were already in motion perhaps move that tiny bit faster.
5 Other Reasons Why Your Period Is Early
Hormonal fluctuations
Hormones dictate so many of our bodily functions, and the menstrual cycle is no exception! Stress, illness and weight changes can impact your hormone levels, which in turn affect when ovulation occurs - and the timing of your whole cycle.
Birth Control Methods
Because many birth control methods impact our hormones, it can cause a domino effect on menstrual regularity. Oral contraceptives, patches or intrauterine devices (IUDs) are among methods that can change bleeding patterns throughout the month, and early periods can be a side effect.
Perimenopause
The perimenopause is a huge culprit for menstrual changes. This is the transition to menopause, which usually happens in your 40s, but women can experience this as early as their 30s, too. During this time, menstrual cycles can become irregular, causing periods to start earlier than expected.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods. Women with this condition may experience early or late periods, as well as symptoms like excessive hair growth, acne and ovarian cysts.
Reproductive Health Conditions
Many reproductive health conditions can impact the timing of menstruation. These include uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can all disrupt the menstrual cycle, potentially causing early periods.
How To Be Prepared for an Early Period
Unpredictable periods can be a major source of anxiety, but making sure you're prepared can help you feel more relaxed. It's a good idea to put together a period kit that you can take with you wherever you go. Pack tampons, pads, clean underwear and painkillers in a small bag or pouch so you're good to go when the time comes.
Some people also feel more comfortable wearing darker jeans or pants while waiting for bleeding to begin, to conceal potential leakage. It can also help to use a calendar or chart to track your cycle, for a clearer idea of when to expect your period.
FAQs
Why is my period early after sex?As we covered earlier, having sex doesn’t technically cause your period to start early, but if your body is already in the process of beginning menstruation, having an orgasm can accelerate the process slightly. This is because when you reach climax, the uterus contracts, which can kickstart your body into shedding the uterine lining.
Can sex bring on a period?As above, the short answer to this is no. Vaginal dryness and/or vigorous sex can cause small tears, which can lead to vaginal bleeding, but heavier bleeding after sex - if it’s not your period - can be a sign of an infection, so it’s best to contact your healthcare provider for a check-up.
So to Clear This Up… Can Sex Make Your Period Come Early?
So much of the menstrual cycle is linked to hormones, which are super complicated and can wreak all sorts of havoc in our bodies. Any kind of imbalance can affect menstrual flow and regularity.
However, sex itself doesn’t cause your period to come early. An orgasm can hasten the process, but only if your body is already ready to start your period.
As far as having sex during your period goes, the best approach is open and honest communication with your partner.
Having sex during this time can have lots of benefits - but remember, if either of you is uncomfortable with the idea, there are lots of other ways to have fun, plus some great CBD products to help you feel more yourself!