Navigating the Connection: How Does Sex Affect Periods
Although both sex and periods seem separate concepts at first glance, it involves a deep understanding of human physiology to decipher their connection.
The impact of sex on periods is not a simple one, as it may range from almost no effects to serious medical consequences.
Although periods can influence your libido, sex has very little effect on the hormobal balance of your body that regulates menstruation.
Let us have a more detailed look into the various pieces of evidence and research that adequately answer the question, “How does sex affect periods?”
Menstrual cycle and libido
Doctors often associate changes in sex drive with the ratio of Estrogen and Progesterone.
The ratio of Estrogen and Progesterone changes along with various stages of the menstrual cycle.
Immediately after periods, the levels of the hormones are low, resulting in low sex drive.
During ovulation, Estrogen reaches its maximum level, thus boosting libido.
When the level of Progesterone spikes, it again reduces the libido back to normal levels.
How does sex affect periods
Pregnancy is one of the most common ways in which sex can affect your periods.
The earliest signs of pregnancy are missed periods when you have been experiencing regular menstruation.
Some changes in your periods from time to time are completely normal, and sex does not play a role in it.
Sometimes, periods can happen unexpectedly, or there may be a missed period.
However, such irregularities are not associated with having sex and are normal in the first few years since the start of periods.
Sometimes, sex can indirectly influence periods using birth control pills.
These pills contain mostly Estrogen and Progesterone hormones that can delay your menstrual cycle as they affect ovulation.
Sometimes sex, during periods, can cause infection of the reproductive organs.
Sexual intercourse during or shortly after menstruation poses the likelihood of spreading Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Although STIs can be transmitted regardless of periods, having sex while on period seems to enhance the chances significantly.
Such STIs, when remain undiagnosed, can cause premenstrual problems in women.
In research, sexual activity and orgasm during menstruation were seen to increase Retrograde (backward) menstruation.
Endometrial tissues (lining of the uterus) are sent to abnormal sites because of this and increased the risk of Endometriosis.
Endometriosis can cause pain during periods and excessive bleeding.
Although sex and periods can seem to be two separate phenomena, they can biologically affect each other to a great extent.
Can sex regulate periods
Although there is a connection between sex and menstruation, it cannot regulate periods in any way.
Only an Endocrine pathway regulates the menstrual cycles in women and changes in the hormones are capable of influencing it.
Even modern research suggests that the frequency of sexual activity does not affect the hormones associated with menstruation or ovulation.
However, the study sample size was small, and no concrete mechanism could explain this fact.
Birth control pills which are taken to prevent pregnancies, are an effective option to regulate periods.
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Takeaway
Changes in the sex drive are connected to the relative concentrations of Estrogen and Progesterone in a person.
While Estrogen functions to increase sexual motivation, Progesterone works to bring down the libido to its original level a few days after ovulation.
Pregnancy is one of the most common factors that link sexual activity with the absence of periods.
Birth control pills are also important factors that affect periods.
Sex during periods increases the chances of STIs, which can disrupt your menstrual cycle if left undiagnosed.
The Endometrial tissues can become lodged in abnormal sites and cause Endometriosis in women who engage in sex during menstruation.
Sex cannot regulate your periods since it is primarily an endocrine process.
Consult your doctor for further details about how sex influences your periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sex affect period blood flow?
Sex cannot affect the blood flow during your periods. Hormonal levels and the thickness of the Endometrial tissues determine the amount of blood flow in a person. Furthermore, if there are some undiagnosed diseases like Endometriosis, the blood flow tends to be heavier and more painful.
Does having sex during periods cause pregnancy?
Yes, it is possible to get pregnant during periods, but it is also improbable. Ovulation occurs halfway between the menstrual cycle, almost 14 days before periods. If the ovum persists in the uterus till your period, then there is a possibility that you can get pregnant.
Should we avoid sex during periods?
Yes, it is better to avoid sex during periods. Much evidence suggests that having sex during menstruation increases the probability of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like HIV and Endometriosis in women.
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