Yes, it's completely safe to have sex on your period — including internal (vaginal), external, and oral sex. While many people are deterred due to embarrassment, menstrual symptoms, cramping, or a fear of being "too messy," period sex is actually a lot of fun.

Flex, a period wellness company, conducted a survey of over 500 people and found that 55 percent of respondents thought period sex was "natural" or "awesome." Of the 45 percent who thought period sex was "gross," respondents tended to be older, heterosexual, and Christian.

There are some things to keep in mind when having sex on your period, including safe sex best practices, protection options, and methods for keeping the mess to a minimum (unless you love the mess!).

Ahead, you'll learn everything you need to know about period sex, including potential benefits, foreplay, and positions.

Wanting sexual pleasure on your period is completely normal — and it's good for you. A couple perks worth mentioning:

Period sex comes with similar risks and side effects as non-period sex, including pregnancy and STIs. You may also experience some discomfort, which is why it's important to always listen to your body.

The best way to have sex is however you and your partner feel most comfortable (consider these positions for period sex). But there are a few strategies that will make the experience even better.

While on your period, you can incorporate foreplay ideas that make you more comfortable with menstrual blood. You can bathe with your partner and take the opportunity to clean away blood while enjoying gentle touch and deep kissing. You may fall on the other end of the spectrum and find blood play erotic. Period blood can be used in foreplay by using it for a massage on the belly, inner thighs, or anywhere else that turns you on.

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