Is it safe and normal to have sex while you have your period?
– Kathleen*

Having unprotected sex at any time can be risky, and that includes during your period. Sex without a condom during periods can even make it easier to spread some sexual infections.

When it comes to pregnancy, it's not possible to get pregnant during your period, but — here's the tricky part — not all vaginal bleeding is from a menstrual period. Sometimes a girl will have a small amount of vaginal bleeding at the time of ovulation — the time when she is actually most fertile. It's common for girls who are ovulating (releasing a tiny egg) to have some vaginal bleeding that can be mistaken for a period. And because it can be difficult to tell the difference, a period shouldn't be used as a natural form of birth control.

Basically, some girls (and guys) don't like the idea of having sex during a period, some see it as a natural monthly break in the action, and others are perfectly comfortable with it. However you feel, just remember to talk it over with your partner beforehand to make sure you are on the same page.

For more information, check out these articles:
All About Menstruation
About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Condom

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007

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*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.