Addressing cultural stigmas - masturbation, menstrual blood
Masturbation and menstruation have both been suppressed as taboo topics, leading to misinformation and feelings of shame concerning both subjects.
Masturbation is a normal and safe form of exploring one’s sexual desires without the risk of contracting an STD or getting pregnant. Masturbation is more likely to be the cause of one’s first orgasm than penetrative sex.
There are also no scientific reasons to discourage those menstruating from engaging in sexual activities, whether with a partner or solo. Menstrual blood is not any more dangerous or infectious than blood coming from another body part.
Everyone is entitled to their own preferences and choices of whether they want to engage in sex when menstruating or not. If you want to explore masturbating when on your period, here are some benefits, followed by some tips!
Also read - Sex during periods
Benefits of masturbating on your period
When you orgasm, your body releases chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins which can lift your mood and boost your confidence.
The endorphins released during an orgasm also act as natural painkillers, alleviating pain from period cramps. Getting sexually aroused also leads one to give less attention to the pain.
Having an orgasm can presumably help shorten your cycle by causing your uterine muscles to contract, helping push your uterine lining and menstrual discharge at a faster rate. More research is required to determine if this is always the case.
The release of oxytocin and prolactin during an orgasm both contribute to relaxation and feelings of sleepiness. Depending on the type of sexual activity, you could feel tired after an intense session.
Increased blood flow to your genitalia during your periods can increase the sensitivity and pleasure you feel when orgasming and allow you to last longer.
Menstrual blood acts as a natural lubricant making it smoother to play with yourself or use sex toys. If you use a tampon or a menstrual cup, you may need to use a water-based lubricant as such period products can soak up your natural lubrication as well.
How to masturbate on your period?
If you’re comfortable using your preferred method of self-pleasure during your period, then by all means, go ahead! It can be an empowering experience to feel at ease with your bodily fluids, so long as you follow proper hygiene by washing your hands before and after your session.
If you’re looking to try a different method, check these out for inspiration:
Use a menstrual cup
Since a menstrual cup sits further up along your vaginal canal near the cervix, it prevents blood from trickling down your vagina. While it is not recommended to engage in penetrative activities when wearing a menstrual cup, including the use of sex toys, you can still experiment with using your finger and stimulating your clitoris.
This brings us to the next method.
Explore external stimulation
You have more erogenous zones than your vagina which can be stimulated using your fingers or objects like sex toys and feathers. These include your clitoris, breasts, neck, inner thighs, and armpits.
Feel free to experiment and find which zones cause you to orgasm when stimulated. This method of masturbation is preferred by those who are too irritated by cramps and bleeding to engage in anything penetrative.
Use sex toys
Using sex toys like dildos and vibrators can offload the work you’d have to do to get an orgasm and you can focus on your pleasure. Always wash your sex toys before and after using them to prevent any infections.
Try mutual masturbation
If you enjoy the company of a partner but aren’t feeling like engaging in a messy sex situation, you can self-pleasure in each other’s company, which offers the intimacy of sex while you get to make sure you finish and orgasm as and when you’d like.
Also read - Why do girls get horny on periods?
Tips to keep clean when masturbating on periods
Use the shower
You can have a self-pleasure session in your shower or bathtub and not have to worry about cleaning up. If you’re running water over yourself, make sure to use a lubricant as the water from the shower can wash away your natural lubrication. Use a shower mat to prevent slipping as the blood, water and lubricant can make the floor slippery.
Use condoms on your toys
You can use a condom on your sex toys to prevent them from getting stained with blood. This makes the clean-up fairly easy on your part as you only have to dispose of the soiled condom.
Keep wipes nearby
You can keep some baby wipes nearby to clean your hands or any toys you use before touching any other surfaces.
Lay a towel on your sheets
Use a dark-coloured towel to cover your bedsheets so as to prevent them from getting stained. You can set this towel aside for your period sex/self-pleasure sessions.
Also read - Does sex affect periods?
Are there any risks of masturbating on your period?
There are no health risks associated with masturbating during your period, however, it is important to follow basic hygiene procedures to stay free from infections. Always wash your hands before and after touching your genitalia. Clean your sex toys based on the instructions given.
In cases of mutual masturbation and sexual activities involving a partner, there are chances of getting pregnant if you engage in penetrative sex. There is also a higher risk of spreading STIs, especially those that spread through blood. Have open conversations about your STI histories and use condoms to prevent contracting one.
Conclusion
All menstruators are unique. While some may feel more sexually aroused during menstruation, others may feel tired and may not be up for sexual activities. While there are no scientific reasons to practice safe sexual activities during your period, there is also no pressure to engage in them.
Masturbating on your period may help your symptoms, but its effects may also not be as noticeable in some cases. Take the time to experiment and find what works for you during your periods.
More to read
