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Periods already come with cramps, cravings, and an emotional roller coaster, so why are we also expected to put our sex lives on pause? Spoiler alert: you don’t have to because ICYMI, having sex on your period can be a confidence-boosting, intimacy-building, shame-smashing experience.
That being said, there are valid reasons why period sex isn’t always a fan favorite — like how it can be uniquely messy. Not to mention, mood swings, bloating, and back pain aren’t exactly aphrodisiacs. And on top of all of this, we’ve been taught (subtly or not so subtly) that menstruation is something to hide, which is exactly why this conversation matters.
In collaboration with Honey Pot — the first holistic wellness brand for humans with vaginas — sex and relationship therapist Dr. Deb Laino is here to flip those assumptions on their head and explain why period sex doesn’t just feel good; it might actually be one of the most empowering things to do during your cycle, especially when you have soothing, reliable period products on hand for after.
Honey Pot Calming Herbal Infusion Liners ($9)
Honey Pot Sensitive
Intimate Wash ($11)
Honey Pot Boric Acid & Herbs Suppositories ($20)
According to Laino, sex on your period can help alleviate symptoms like cramps, headaches, and irritability that keep people away from sex in the first place. “Period sex releases endorphins, so these symptoms are much more manageable, if not, completely relieved,” says Laino. The release of these endorphins, as well as oxytocin, can also act as a sleep aid, which, according to Laino, is “often needed when a woman is having her period.” And if that wasn’t reason enough, Laino explains that the uterus contracts throughout sex, which can help shorten a woman’s period. (Shorter periods? Sign me up!)
Period sex can also serve as an incredibly personal experience for both partners. “The lowering of progesterone and rising of estrogen during periods [can cause] a natural desire for connection and closeness with self and partner,” says Laino, “The release of endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin drives this, but the verbal conversations about this topic are very intimate. Through this process, trust is enhanced, as is safety in the relationship.”
And period sex can be incredible for personal confidence, too! “Seeing your body as ‘gross’ for five to seven days out of the month isn’t healthy,” says Laino. “Period sex decreases ‘period shame.’” By owning their bodies as natural and healthy, women are better able to connect deeply and positively with themselves.
Part of owning your period means using the products that help your body thrive. Honey Pot Calming Herbal Infusion Liners ($9) combine calming herbal infusions with an ultra-absorbent core for leak-proof protection.
Before getting to the bedroom, Laino recommends taking a shower or bath to relax. Honey Pot Sensitive Intimate Wash ($11) offers a gentle cleanse for your most sensitive external areas. Once you’re ready, move to the bedroom and lay down a dark colored towel. To pick the perfect period position, Laino says that “comfort should always be prioritized.” She suggests missionary and spooning as comfy position options, but emphasizes that nothing is off limits if it feels good.
If you or your partner are sensitive to blood or not in the mood for a cleanup, Laino says a menstrual disc may be the solution, as it collects blood and can stay inserted during sex. And of course, “having sex in the shower or bathtub is a great option as period flow stops or lightens in water,” says Laino.
Post sex, Honey Pot Boric Acid & Herbs Suppositories ($20) hydrate and moisturize internally to help maintain a healthy vaginal pH.
Period sex has been treated as the forbidden fruit of the bedroom for way too long, but it’s 2026, and this year Gen Z is taking it back.