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Is this normal?
If you haven’t already, try to let go of any notions of shame or embarrassment.
Feeling sexually aroused in the days leading up to your period is perfectly normal — whether you experience it every month or once in a while.
In fact, a number of studies have found a rise in sexual desire near ovulation time. (That’s around two weeks before your period starts.)
Unfortunately, there’s little research into how many people feel a surge in libido before menstruating. Just know that you most definitely aren’t alone.
Why does this happen?
Honestly, no one really knows — but there are a bunch of theories.
Hormones are thought to play a big role. Your estrogen and testosterone levels increase during ovulation, potentially triggering a rise in libido.
According to experts, this concept makes total sense.
Ovulation is the time of high fertility, and our bodies are supposedly biologically wired to procreate.
Combine the two, and you can see why you might want to have more sex.
But, as some people feel horny right before their period, that’s not the only theory. Here are a few more.
There’s a reduced pregnancy risk before menstruation
The highest chance of getting pregnant comes from having vaginal sex one to two days before ovulation.
Having penile-vaginal sex in the days just before your period therefore reduces the risk of pregnancy by quite a bit.
Simply knowing this can encourage people to feel more horny.
However, it’s important to remember that conceiving at this time is still possible. Take precautions, if necessary.
Pre-period discharge can increase sensitivity
During your menstrual cycle, it’s normal to notice vaginal discharge.
Before your period, it tends to be white and full of cells that are being shed from your body. At other times, it may look clear.
An increased amount of discharge can result in more lubrication, allowing the genital area to feel more sensitive.
For some, that may lead to feelings of arousal.
Pre-period bloating can put pressure on your G spot
Many people experience bloating in the run-up to their period.
Some research suggests that changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause water retention.
Although the resulting bloating feeling can be uncomfortable, it may also put pressure on your G spot if located in the pelvic region. And pressure can make the G spot feel extra sensitive.
In fact, the entire area around your vulva can experience a similar feeling as your expanding uterus presses down on nerve endings in the area.
Sex can help alleviate PMS symptoms
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) starts between 5 and 11 days before menstruation. Symptoms range from cramps and fatigue to food cravings and acne.
Having an orgasm is known to relieve the physically painful symptoms by releasing mood-boosting endorphins.
It’s not just cramps that are positively affected.
According to a 2013 study, migraines — another symptom that can crop up around the time of your period — were found to be partially or completely relieved after sexual activity.
Can you get pregnant if you have vaginal sex?
It isn’t impossible to have penile-vaginal sex just before your period and become pregnant. But it’s highly unlikely.
The time you’re most fertile depends on when you ovulate. As previously mentioned, this is usually about 14 days before the start of your period.
But this only applies if your menstrual cycle lasts for the “typical” 28 days.
Some people’s cycles may last for only 21 days and others have been known to reach around 35 days.
Pregnancy will only occur during or in the few days leading up to ovulation time.
This is because an egg will only survive for around 24 hours after being released, and sperm will only remain alive in the body for a maximum of five days.
If you don’t want to get pregnant, it’s always a good idea to use a form of birth control. Just to be on the safe side.
Will having penetrative vaginal sex induce your period?
This always causes some confusion. But in a nutshell, sexual activity can cause your period to start.
However, this is only likely to happen if you are just about to start your period. That means within a day or two.
How it happens is a bit of a mystery. It’s thought that hormones found in semen can soften the cervix, encouraging menstruation.
Another theory relates to vaginal contractions during sexual activity. When these stop and the vagina relaxes, the uterine lining may begin to shed.
How can you reduce the chance of — or prepare for — bleeding during sex?
If you do have penetrative sex close to the start of your period, you may only leak a tiny amount of blood, if any.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for possible bleeding during sex.
- Wear a cup or cap. A number of modern designs simultaneously catch blood and allow penetration. Just ensure the one you use falls into that category.
- Lay a dark-colored towel on the bed. If you’re worried about staining your sheets, a towel will soak up any leaks. Alternatively, have sex somewhere that’s easier to clean, such as a shower or bath.
- Use a condom. This won’t stop large leaks, but it will prevent any undiagnosed STIs from being transmitted between you and your partner. Plus, it’ll protect against pregnancy.
- Communicate with your partner. Talk to them about any worries you have beforehand. Once you’re getting down to it, keep the communication channels open. Don’t be afraid to ask for a change of pace or position, or to stop, if needed.
- Grab some lube. If you’re at a part of your menstrual cycle that requires a little extra lubrication, choose a water-based lubricant. Not only is this the best choice for condoms, but it will also reduce any friction during penile-vaginal intercourse or digital sex.
- Do not, under any circumstances, wear a tampon. You may think that this is the obvious way to stop blood flow, but it can easily get pushed further and further inside you, requiring a visit to a doctor.
What if you just want to masturbate?
Other than the fact that an orgasm may encourage menstruation, there is no evidence to suggest that masturbation will induce a period.
If you want to prepare for potential blood spotting, consider the following:
- Keep a towel or wet wipes nearby.
- Wear a menstrual cup, not a tampon, to collect any blood.
- Focus on clitoral stimulation if you don’t want to penetrate.
- Clean any toys before and afterward to prevent the spread of infections.
The bottom line
Feeling horny at any point during your menstrual cycle is totally normal. So whether you’re weeks or days away from your period or in the middle of it, don’t be afraid to be sexually active.
Early studies on sexual peak
Most people have heard the phrase "sexual peak." It refers to a period of your life when you are most capable of having frequent sex that is high in quality. The notion of a sexual peak implies that the time before and after peak those years, your sex life won't be as remarkable.
Biologically speaking, there isn't a clear definition of a sexual peak. People have satisfying sex throughout their adult lives. Sex drive and sexual function change over time, but those changes don't decrease people's satisfaction from sex.
According to the groundbreaking books, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, researcher Alfred Kinsey posited that men and women have sexual peaks at different phases of life. His research suggests that women reach their sexual peak in their 30s whereas men peak in their late teens.
This finding from Kinsey's report remained the conventional wisdom for quite a while. Later, researchers questioned that conclusion. Critics noted that the data Kinsey collected doesn't tell the complete story.
Kinsey asked people for a measure of when they had the most orgasms. Men reported having a high number of orgasms when they were 17 or 18 years old. Women were more likely to report having regular orgasms when they were over 30 years old.
While that data may be technically correct, it may not be an indication of a biological peak. The statistics may just reflect how often most young men can achieve orgasm, with or without a partner. Many women may require more skilled partners or more experience of their own to achieve orgasm. Many women aren't adept at communicating their needs to a partner until they have gained some sexual experience. They may be older before they have regular orgasms during shared sex.
When do sex hormones peak?
Hormone levels are another measure of sexuality. Sex hormones generally increase beginning in adolescence. This hormone rise starts at a different time for each individual. Generally speaking, puberty occurs between the ages of 9 and 15. During this period of development, people reach full reproductive maturity. Reproductive hormone levels are at their highest during early adulthood.
Testosterone levels start to decline gradually in men as early as their early 20s. The reduction can decrease libido, less sensitivity in the penis, less intense orgasms, and more time needed to get an erection again after an orgasm. Hormone changes can be responsible for erectile dysfunction as well.
Sex hormone levels also drop in women during their reproductive years. The biggest change comes with menopause when the body ceases menstruating. The loss of reproductive hormones causes lower libido, changes to vaginal tissue, and vaginal dryness.
People who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have a different experience. HRT is known to change libido. Taking set amounts of hormones may result in less fluctuation of hormone levels.
Trans people taking HRT for gender confirmation find that sexual desire changes when they start taking HRT. Trans women report a decrease in sex drive when starting HRT, while trans men report higher libido. Both groups say that eventually, their sex drives return to what they were before starting HRT. Talk to your doctor about how hormone treatments might affect your sex drive over the long term.
When does sex drive peak?
Biological men (cisgender men) without genetic variations or any medical alteration through surgery or medication typically have vigorous sex drive through their early 20s. Reproductive hormones are at their peak, and most people are physically healthy and interested in sex during these years. It's a cliche to talk about young men having very high sex drives, but it's also often correct.
Cisgender women generally experience an increase in sex drive later than men. One study reveals that women between 27 and 45 years old report the highest interest in sex and more sexual fantasies than women in other age groups. Women also report having more sex during these years than women of other ages.
When does sexual activity peak?
According to recent research from the Kinsey Institute, people of all ages report having regular sexual intercourse. Still, men between the ages of 25-39 and women aged 20-29 were the most likely to have sex. Frequency of intercourse declines in older age groups.
In other studies, people report higher levels of sexual satisfaction as they get older. Satisfaction doesn't always mean people have more or better sex. The report correlates with overall attitudes toward sex. People experience more feelings of contentment with the sex lives they have.
Sex is satisfying at all ages
Generally speaking, there is no absolute time when people have a sexual peak. The ongoing research on human sexuality indicates a wide variety of sex drives, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction. It's possible to broadly conclude that young, healthy people have the highest hormone levels and are the most likely to have frequent intercourse. Sexual desire and behavior change as people age, but sexual satisfaction often increases, despite those changes.
Medically Reviewed on 12/14/2021
References
SOURCES: British Geriatric Society: "Sexual satisfaction of middle-aged and older adults." Business Insider: "11 Groundbreaking Findings That Changed How We Think About Sex." Journal of Sexual Medicine: "Sexual Behavior in the United States: Results from a National Probability Sample of Men and Women Ages 14–94." Journal of Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine: "Effects of hormone replacement therapy on sexual psychophysiology and behavior in postmenopause." Merck Manual: "Changes in the Body With Aging." "Effects of Aging on the Male Reproductive System." "Physical Growth and Sexual Maturation of Adolescents." University of Texas at Austin: "Reproduction expediting: Sexual motivations, fantasies, and the ticking biological clock."
Urology: "Sexual Desire Changes in Transgender Individuals Upon Initiation of Hormone Treatment."