Sex is one of the greatest pleasures life has to offer, second only to cheese and chocolate in our humble opinion but for some reason, a lot of us forego it during our periods. To put it in perspective, the average menstruator will bleed approximately 450 times (around 2,280 days). That's SIX years of great sex you might have been missing out on, and we can't have that. In this guide, we'll share hard science on why period sex packs punch and tips to make it better.

5 Benefits of Period Sex

• First and foremost, orgasms can help relieve cramps. When we orgasm, our body releases dopamine, oxytocin, and other endorphins that help to quiet cramps. This is a huge plus for those who don’t feel like taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Go au natural, baby.
• Stress relief, anyone? Those orgasm endorphins we just mentioned? They’re also capable of relieving stress, which means after period sex, you will likely have the good-feels and good vibes. Sex (and period sex) also lowers your blood pressure, which means no matter what comes your way the next day, you can have a calm state of mind.
• Period sex might shorten your period. Fun news – your body might be able to hack your period. When you orgasm, your uterus contracts, which can speed up the shedding of your uterine lining (what a period is!). By having an orgasm, you might be able to shorten the usual 7-day cycle by 2 or 3 days. Get to work, angel.
• Sex can be more enjoyable. With your body’s menses acting as lube + a higher libido (which occurs during your period), period sex can be more enjoyable than your regular between-the-sheets session. This is because positions (hello legs on shoulders) that might be challenging for you normally, can be easier when on your period. Your vagina and vulva are also more sensitive during this time too, so sex intensifies.
• Period sex can act as a bond between your and your partner. To us, period sex is a chance to shed inhibitions and create a lasting bond between yourself and your partner. Having sex on your period can help you feel vulnerable, which is a major component in feeling intimate with someone. Are we your new love therapist? Maybe.

So you’re on board with period sex, but you wished it wasn’t so messy. Mess-free period sex is possible with a menstrual disc. Just pop a FLEX Disc in before you get hot and heavy and then remove it post-orgasm. (PS- Trying to remove a disc immediately after sex might be tricky for some because it may shift around or your vaginal canal might double in length making it harder to reach! Crazy, right?! So we recommend waiting about thirty minutes to an hour after sex before you remove the disc. Who wants to cuddle?) Tap here for more tips and trick

Period Sex Facts (aka Things You Might Have Googled)

1. You can still get pregnant when you’re on your period. Sperm can live in the uterus for up to 5 days, and if you have sex near the end of your cycle, it's possible that the sperm will be present when you ovulate and pregnancy can occur. Having sex toward the beginning of your period may lower your risk of pregnancy. If you aren't using hormonal birth control, in order to prevent pregnancy, you should use a barrier method like condoms or diaphragms.

2. . STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) can be transferred through blood and fluids. Practice safe sex and use a barrier protection like condom or dental dam to prevent the spread of STIs.

3. Your partner will not be infected from your menstrual blood on its own unless you already have a known infection. There are a lot of religious and spiritual practices that discourage intercourse during menstruation. These practices are rooted in spiritual beliefs but not biological facts.

Why Period Sex Feels Better

The reason why sex during your period is more enjoyable than other times of the month is due in large part to hormone changes. Progesterone is a hormone released by the ovaries before ovulation that prepares the endometrium to fertilize an egg. If there are no eggs to be fertilized, your body breaks down the thickened lining which lowers progesterone. Progesterone is known to lower libido, and since that hormone is the lowest at the beginning of your cycle, your sex drive is likely to be very high.

So now you're game for period sex, but you want to know how to get bloody stains out of your sheets if you leak, here's how:

How To Remove Period Stains

If you’re still getting learning how to make FLEX Disc work for your body and manage to stain the sheets, or even your favorite underwear, here are some natural remedies for stain removal:

• Do not wash the sheets before using stain removal. This will only cement the stain in the sheets. Use a spot removal technique first, then throw ‘em in the wash.

• Ice: Place the stained sheets over ice and dab with a towel until the stain comes out.

• Dr. Bronner's Soap: Use a tiny drop with a bit of cold water over the stain, dab until the stain comes out. You may need to reapply soap a few times before the stain is completely removed.

• Baking Soda: Pour baking soda over the stain, spray with white vinegar, leave for 30 minutes, then dab with a wet towel to remove.

Now that you’ve got the low down on period sex, remember, the best sex is period sex, and the best period sex, is safe sex. So next time your menses come around, show your vagina some love and give period sex a try!