How To Optimize Your Sex Life Based On Your Menstrual Cycle

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Tatyana Dyachenko
Psychologist and Relationship Adviser

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Veronika Matutyte
Medical Doctor

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Katie Lasson
Sex and Relationship Adviser

How does becoming sexually active impact your monthly menstrual cycle? Here are the reasons that come in a wave, ovulation, and desire, sex affects your period, libido, cervical position, and pain and pleasure.

Changes in the ratio of hormones like estrogen and progesterone produced by your ovaries are common. The shift occurs in different phases of your monthly cycle. A few days after or during your period, the concentration of hormones is low and results in low sexual desire. When ovulation rolls around, estrogen peaks increasing libido. When ovulation is over, there is a boost in hormone production; you might notice a dip in your sex drive. You may think that the only time your cycle affects your sex life is during that time of the month, but a lot is going on, from your cervix to your emotions. Everything changes depending on your cycle. Below are ways that your menstrual cycle may influence your sex experience;

Comes In Waves

Sex feels more or less appealing, depending on the month's time. You'll have sensitivity towards physical sensation changes from one week to another. Norsigian (2011) explained that changes in your vaginal discharge to opening and softening of your cervix during ovulation thus give you clear signs of the best time to have sex.

Ovulation And Desire

Regan (1996) explained that the stages of your menstruation could impact your libido. It's common to feel more interested in sex midway through your cycle or when you ovulate. When the estrogen and testosterone levels are high, it triggers a rise in libido. You may now find yourself masturbating more, having fantasies, and consuming erotica. There is more vagina discharge which heightens sensation and keeps sex on your mind, which turns you on. Every woman is different. It happens roughly 14 days before getting your period. You'll feel sexier now, have body confidence, and possibly seek attention from your partner. You're more fertile in your cycle at this time and will be more inclined to reproduce. Frost (2002) explained that tracking your sex drive can be a great way to know your body. The high and lows of desire throughout your cycle.

Sex Affects Your Period

Sex drive around your period is common due to hormonal fluctuations. Somwanshi (2017) explained that regular sex makes your period lighter and regular and can even relieve menstrual discomfort. The endorphins and muscle relaxing power of an orgasm work to soothe cramps and headaches.

What Affects Your Libido

There are a lot of lifestyle factors that can affect your libido. It includes stress, exercise, travel, contraceptive pills, and many more. Suppose your libido is low or high, don't be afraid to reach out for help. There are various ways to improve your sex drive and satisfaction; this includes managing stress, sex therapy, and change to birth control.

Position Of Your Cervical

Your cervix is at the lower part of the uterus, connecting the vagina to the uterine cavity. Most days, it's positioned low in your abdomen. Because of the changes, some people find a deep entry position is more comfortable around ovulation. When the cervix is high, it is uncomfortable to be bumped. Some people find cervical contact or stimulation during sex to be pleasurable. The cervix contains nerve pathways involved in sexual response. Vagina shape also changes concerning arousal; the vagina becomes longer and wider when you're turned on.

Lubrication

The vagina produces lubrication when you’re aroused. It happens because of the increase in blood flow. Your vagina is more lubricated in the days leading to ovulation when estrogen is at its highest. Cervical fluids are produced up to 20x the fluid containing water and its more stretcher. Period sex makes for the best of most naturally lubricated sex of all. Menstruation can be a great time to shower sex when you’re less likely to apply lube.

Breast

Breasts feel differently at different points in your cycle. The breast and nipples may be more sensitive to touch during the fertile window after ovulation. Breasts commonly become fuller and sore. Some people notice after ovulation ten-day before their period start. Others feel later in the cycle, a couple of days before their period. Having your breast touched is most comfortable in your phase. Keeping tabs on your cyclical breast changes will help you know when you prefer different kinds of touch and if individuals in your sex life can work out any changes in sensitivity.

Pain for pleasure

Receiving and giving consensual pain is part of your pleasure, then your cycle phase might influence your choice of activity on a given day. Reproductive hormone fluctuation can impact the tolerance threshold for pain. Chronic pain tends to feel worse around the end and starts a cycle. Pain threshold is at its highest when estrogen is a high mid-cycle. Induced pain works the same as chronic pain, with more sensitivity around menstruation. The threshold is higher during the mid-luteal phase when progesterone is dominant. People may not notice the difference. Make some tabs in the clue to track your threshold level at different cycle times.

Luteal phase

Your hormones raise progesterone peaks halfway through and fall. Suppose no pregnancy occurs; estrogen rebounds before dropping in the days before you bleed, and testosterone continues to drop. Your libido likely falls, impacting your energy, mood, and body image. Progesterone makes you more anxious and moodier, having that heightened. It will not do wonders to your libido, given that stress is a turn-off.

Follicular Phase

In this phase, the testosterone and estrogen begin to rise. You'll feel energized, confident, flighty, and turned on. Your sex interest in sex starts to rise, and you might find yourself taking charge in the bedroom or initiating sex.

Track Your Cycle

Tracking your cycle helps you understand your body's changes and desires, whether you're on birth control. Knowing what feels better means you get more of what you want, making it easier to have more freedom. The menstrual cycle differs a lot from person to person. People who have regular intercourse have their menstrual cycle ranging from 26 to 33 days. Their cycle has broader lengths for those with inconsistency, either short or very long.

Conclusion

Everyone's sex drive is different. You may notice a pattern in how much or little you crave sex during a certain time of the month. Mother nature has a way of promoting by boosting your urge to have sex during ovulation.

References

Frost, L. C. (2002). Sex drives: Fantasies of fascism in literary modernism. Cornell University Press.

Norsigian, J. (2011). Our bodies, ourselves. Simon and Schuster.

Regan, P. C. (1996). Rhythms of desire: The association between menstrual cycle phases and female sexual desire. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 5(3).

Somwanshi, S. B. (2017). Women’s health issue: a brief overview on irregularities in menstruation. IJNRD-International Journal of Novel Research and Development (IJNRD), 2(5), 140-145.