Can sex reduce period cramps?

SMSNA receives and publishes “guest editorials” periodically. The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher specializing in women’s health, wellness and healthy living. She is its Founder and Editor-in-Chief Body+Mind Magazine.

Having sex while dealing with period cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it may not be the first activity that comes to mind when PMS or period cramps begin, many people enjoy sex to reduce period cramps, experience increased pleasure, and reap other benefits. Learn more about sex while period cramps occur and how your body can help.

Menstrual cramps are defined

Menstrual cramps refer to lower abdominal cramps in the three days before or during your menstrual cycle. This pain occurs in 75% of women under the age of 25,¹ but it can continue after this age if your period is heavier.

Before your period starts, your body produces prostaglandins to stimulate uterine contractions,² eventually sheds the lining of the uterus as menstrual blood. When cramping is tolerable but uncomfortable, you can have sex to treat it before using other resources such as over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers or heating pads.

It’s worth noting that some people have more severe period cramps than others. Any discomfort that makes your body tense, exhausted, or nauseous will likely respond better to OTC pain relievers instead of sex. Hormonal imbalances can cause this extreme discomfort along with severe mood swings³ and infertility.

If you are concerned about the severity of your period cramps, talk to your DOCTOR. They can discuss your other symptoms and health history to rule out possible diagnoses such as endometriosis.

Benefits of using sex to reduce period cramps

Some people avoid sex while cramping because they believe that stimulating the muscles and nervous system could make their pain worse. However, sex can reduce period cramps when they are still a minor nuisance. The biggest downside is the potential for an extra mess—the contraction of your uterus and cervix during an orgasm can release the shedding uterine lining and lead to early menstrual bleeding.

These are some of the main benefits of using sex to reduce period cramps:

• Reduced period cramps: For some, sex can relieve premenstrual or active period cramps. The Theo Mei Technique encourages women to have one or more orgasms³ while cramping to send a rush of endorphins throughout their body. Endorphins are a natural pain-relieving hormone.
• Increased independence: Although you can create a soothing effect with penetration, you don’t need it to feel relief. The Theo Mei Technique emphasizes how orgasm results in useful endorphins. Self-stimulation to achieve an orgasm can yield the same results if you live alone, don’t have a partner, or don’t prefer penetration.
• Increased sex drive: When you have sex, your brain releases dopamine⁵ because your body is doing something pleasurable. Dopamine is a feel-good hormone, so it’s natural to want to repeat any activity that produces more of it. You can increase your sex drive by having sex more often, especially if it combines pleasurable feelings with pain relief.
• Natural Lubricant: Although the vagina can lubricate itself, having sex to reduce period cramps can make your period start a day or two earlier. Muscle contractions before and during orgasm can release the falling uterine lining.² The resulting blood provides extra lubrication which can be a major benefit if you experience vaginal dryness due to hormonal imbalance.

Other tips for sex during your period

Here are some other recommendations for having sex just before or during your period that may improve your comfort and pleasure:

• Communicate your comfort levels: Communication is essential for premenstrual or period sex. Some people may feel discomfort due to the intensity of their cramps, which may change after physical stimulation begins. It is important to let your partner know if your pain worsens so that sexual activity can be stopped. If severe cramping occurs with each period and prevents you from trying this form of pain relief, talk to your doctor. It could indicate that you have a condition such as endometriosis and need treatment.
• Use protection: Like any sex, it’s vital to use protection to avoid accidental pregnancy or transmission of STDs. Condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy⁶ and 71–80% effective⁶ in the prevention of STD transmission. Other resources such as dental dams also prevent sexual partners from transmitting STDs when used properly.
• Remove tampons: You should remove tampons or menstrual cups before having menstrual sex after your period starts.
• Prepare for mayhem: Preparation makes cleanup easier. You can lay out towels or keep towels and wipes nearby for later.

Overall, sex to reduce period cramps provides many benefits and can ease your pain. If you want to try this pain management technique, communicate openly with your partner. You can always stop and rely on other menstrual cramping activities if sexual activity does not provide the positive benefits you are looking for.

Remember, if severe menstrual cramps are a monthly occurrence and you can find little to no relief, talk to an OB-GYN. You may have an undiagnosed condition or hormonal imbalance that requires medical attention to relieve your cramps.

Resources:

1. Armour, M., Parry, K., Al-Dabbas, MA, Curry, C., Holmes, K., MacMillan, F., Ferfolja, T., & Smith, CA (2019, July 24). Self-care strategies and sources of knowledge about menstruation in 12,526 young women with dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0220103
2. Kant, A., Kannan, J., Chandra, S., Chandravati, kalra, B., Mary, H., Kasture, P., Rajshekhar, B., Jindal, A., Amuthambigai, Dalal, S., Jain , R., Kulkarni, S., Vinay, S., Sindur, U., Ojha, P., Chakravarty, R., Harini, Mayekar, A., … Chaudhary, V. (2023, June 28). Unraveling the inflammatory pathways of primary dysmenorrhea and the role of mefenamic acid and its combinations with prostaglandin and NLRP3. Indian Journal of Clinical Practice. https://ojs.ijcp.in/IJCP/article/view/206
3. Hormonal imbalance symptoms and treatments. Synergy Wellness. (2023, July 21). https://synergywellnesscenter.com/blog/hormonal-imbalance-symptoms/
4. Sparks, W., & Salceies, R. (2023, May 24). Theo Mei Technique (TMT) – A special method to eliminate or reduce period pain. Academic.oup.com. https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article/20/Supplement_2/qdad061.052/7165547
5. Zachry, JE, Nolan, SO, Brady, LJ, Kelly, SJ, Siciliano, CA, & Calipari, ES (2020, December 14). Gender differences in the regulation of dopamine release in the striatum. Nature News. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-020-00915-1
6. Condoms: Contraception, Types, How They Work & Effectiveness. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, September 15). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/9404-condoms