Consensual Text

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I’ve been asking myself this very same question for years. “How can I feel tired/bloated/crampy/hungry/sore and horny all at the same time?” One minute I’ll be asking my partner to rub my back…and the next, I’ll want to be on my back. It just doesn’t make any sense!

Turns out it’s really common to be horny around the time of your period.  Arousal patterns are often associated with hormonal cycles and it is true that some women get very turned on just before their period  starts.

You can also feel very frisky around the time of ovulation, which makes sense if you think about it in terms of pro-creation.  If you’re feeling more aroused when you’re ovulating  it can mean more time in the sack, which can improve your chances of conception.

Science backs this up.  There are biological factors that promote intercourse during a woman’s six fertile days of the menstruation cycle.   And other researchers say that there is an increase in libido around the time of ovulation.

Levels of reproductive hormones influence sexual desire and these levels vary greatly throughout the monthly cycle, with highs, lows and bursts of different neuroendocrine chemicals that surge through the brain and affect us in many ways.

As these hormones do their thing, other influences are also at play– such as surroundings, one’s mood, music, smell, and the visuals. And don’t forget about certain foods!

We say go for it, and embrace those “randy”  feelings.  After all, orgasms will help relieve your cramps!

And if you’d like to learn even more about the menstrual cycle, check out this vintage Walt Disney video, circa 1946.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org

Consensual Text is featured on Twitter and Facebook.  Fan and follow us for info on a range of topics pertaining to sex and sexual health!

Whoa!

It is never “normal” to bleed during sex, not even a little bit (though you may experience bleeding if your period is due, or if it comes early or unexpectedly).

Bleeding is your body’s way of telling you something is not right.  If you experience bleeding, pay attention. Make an appointment with our health care team today and have it checked out.

For some women, a hormonal birth control (like the pill) could be to blame.  Breakthrough bleeding is a known side effect for the first 6 months on the pill.  The solution may be as simple as switching brands.

Bleeding can also be the result of trauma from abrupt stretching or tearing, or from the use of sex toys. Incorporate some lube into your routine to see if that helps.  

More serious reasons for bleeding include:  pregnancy; vaginal infection; an STI– including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or Herpes–or a benign growth on the cervix or in the uterus such as polyps.  Bleeding during sex can also be caused by cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, or uterus.

If you bleed during sex, see a medical practitioner.  Don’t ignore it, don’t take chances—you need to know why this is happening.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org

A woman’s libido changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Changes in sexual emotion, energy and even aggression peak and wane during the cycle.  Women can feel more “turned on” and aggressive about sexual feelings and desires at different times during their cycles.

Women’s erotic desires and orgasmic capacities (nice term!) begin to increase during menstruation, and continue to build. They peak on Day 13 and 14 of her cycle.  This is due in large part to the hormones that affect sexual desire – testosterone and estrogen.  It warrants mention that Day 13 and 14 are the most fertile days in a woman’s cycle.

Sex during menstruation is completely normal, healthy and often very enjoyable.

Menstrual blood is an entirely normal and healthy bodily fluid and does not affect a woman’s reproductive organs or a man’s penis.

Orgasms cause uterine contractions and these contractions can ease menstrual cramps and pain.  Some women feel less “crampy” after having sex that includes orgasm.

On the other hand,  women who are prone to UTI’s (urinary tract infections) should consider the fact that menstrual blood is a good medium for bacteria to grow and perhaps intercourse during menstruation might increase chances of a UTI.

Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org

To receive the weekly question per text, text FACTS to 90999.

She can get pregnant anytime of the month!

It is common to assume if a woman is menstruating, she is probably not ovulating and therefore can’t get pregnant. That can be true, but not always.  A woman can ovulate anytime during the month. Anytime. Ovulation is sensitive to stress, hormones, diet, and exercise, making it difficult for many women to pinpoint exactly when they are ovulating.

Women often mistake the slight bleeding or spotting, that can occur during ovulation, as their period. Unprotected sex during that time can greatly increase chances of becoming pregnant.

When a woman ovulates, an egg is released from her ovary.  The ovum (egg) lives approximately 24 hours in the fallopian tubes. Sperm enjoys the healthy shelf-life of about 72 hours – that’s three whole days! By the time they are three days old, the sperm may be a bit slower and perhaps fatigued, but they can still find that egg. Therefore, if a couple has sex during a woman’s period, and she happens to be stressed and ovulate within 36 hours, those sperm will still conclude their mission.

Having unprotected sex anytime can result in a pregnancy – or an STI.  Using condoms is still the best bet. For more information, call 1.800.230.Plan