Although you may have never have period sex, there's a pretty good chance that you know someone who has tried it. You’ve also probably found that these people either love it or hate it ― it's hard to find people who are in the middle on the subject. In 2014, New York Magazine published a piece entitled “Blood Hounds: They’re Obsessed With Period Sex,” about how some guys love period sex, like a lot. Some of those who were interviewed even went so far as to say they preferred it to sex that is, well, less bloody.
While period sex definitely has some positive health benefits, like alleviating cramps, possibly shortening up the length of your period because each orgasm flushes out more of the uterine lining, among a few other things, it can still make some people squirm a bit. I mean, we are dealing with blood after all, and not everyone is a big fan of blood ― from the way it looks, the way it feels, the way it smells, or, when it comes to bed sheets, the way it stains.
Despite being a squeamish person about most bodily fluids, I gave period sex a try. Once. Yes, once was enough for me. But being a rookie to the period sex thing, I didn’t really plan accordingly and my partner, who was really into it and had had period sex with past partners didn’t give me a heads up as to how I should have prepared. Because, holy moly Batman, period sex may need some preparation. Either way, I tried period sex and this is what happened.
1. It Was The Most Slippery Sex Of My Life
Although I love the benefits of using lube during sex, I don’t always have it on hand. But even when I do use lube the slippin’ and slidin’ effect of it doesn’t even come close to the just how slippery period sex is. Period sex is so slippery that in some positions it was hard to keep my partner’s penis inside of me. And when I coughed or laughed (that latter being something I tend to do when I orgasm), between the contraction of my muscles combined with the blood, my vagina literally spit his penis out of me. Which made me laugh more.
2. There Was Blood Everywhere
Now, I want to specify that I’m not talking about gallons of blood sprawled across the sheets and all over our bodies. What I mean is that bits of blood were everywhere, like spots on the sheets (enough that I had to throw them out, because they were white), splattering on our legs and stomach, and he definitely had quite a bit on his hands. It wasn’t a blood bath or anything, but it was definitely too much blood for my liking. But I also get woozy when I bleed from a paper cut, so there’s that.
3. I Tasted My Own Menstrual Blood
Although I was extremely hesitant about him going down on me, because I’m not a fan of receiving oral sex to begin with, I let him do it because he was so gung-ho about it. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally came up for air… and planted an open mouth kiss on me and omg. I had to do everything within my power not to gag. There are certain things I have zero desire in ever tasting and menstrual blood is definitely on that list, or rather was on that list, because now I know how it tastes.
4. It Felt Pretty Intense
I realize that period sex helps ease cramps, but I didn’t experience that. My period cramps, which are nightmarish, are usually at the beginning of my period and when I had period sex, I was mid-period so my cramps were over. However, at least in my case, my entire pelvic area and vagina are super sensitive through the duration of my period, so it made period sex intercourse feel really intense. I couldn’t decide if it was a good intense or a bad intense, so I guess we can just call it a different sort of intense.
5. The Smell Was Almost Too Much To Bear
Again, this comes back to me being a squeamish, weird, over-thinker. When I smell blood, my immediate thoughts go toward arteries, organs, muscles, and how all that blood is pumping through every inch of my body. Which then brings my thought process to flesh and wounds and cuts and bloody operations, and… it’s just a dark place in my brain. So, not only was the smell too much for me, but the thoughts that just automatically came with the smell, were really off-putting.
6. I Just Couldn’t Relax
Between the smell, the taste of something I didn't want to taste, the sight of what even I consider minimal blood, and my insane brain that would not quit thinking, I couldn’t enjoy the experience. I just couldn’t, for the life of me, relax. I was overly aware, too concerned about stupid things (like my damn sheets), and just so completely somewhere else in mind that relaxing and enjoyment were just not part of the equation at all.
7. I Found Myself Judging My Partner
Like most people, I can be fairly judgmental in certain situations. However, where I’m least likely to be judgmental is in regards to sex. I’m extremely sex-positive and no matter what you’re into, I will give you the highest of fives and tell you to enjoy it.
But in this particular case, I was judging my partner. In fact, I think it was the only time in my life that I’ve judged a sexual partner for anything and I felt like a total a-hole for it. Maybe it was because he was enjoying the period sex far more than I was or perhaps I was projecting, but I do know that even before it was over I had no intentions of seeing him again ― which sucks because he’s the head chef at one of my favorite restaurants in the West Village. I haven’t been to the place since.
8. I Decided I’ll Never Have Period Sex Again
Even before it was over, I made the decision to never have period sex again. But while this is a choice I’ve made for myself, it should, in no way, sway your feelings on period sex. Like I said, some people prefer it.
When I wrote about what to expect during period sex two years ago, I referenced a female friend who’s really into period sex, like practically addicted, and since then I’ve become aware of a few more female friends who love it, too. So, that being said, this is my personal experience with period sex and you may find that your experience is completely different and totally awesome and you’ll love it. If that’s the case, go you! But if you don’t like it, then that’s totally cool, too ― you’re definitely not alone.
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Images: Author's own; Giphy (8)