Is It Really OK to Have Sex While Wearing a Menstrual Disc?

Menstrual discs have been the talk of many a social media feed lately, but what exactly are they?

A menstrual disc is an insertable alternative period product that’s supposed to provide 12 hours of protection, let you have mess-free sex on your period, and even help minimize cramps. What a time to be alive. If there’s one thing there’s an abundance of these days it’s period products — tampons, pads, absorbent period underwear, cups and discs, with this myriad of options for your time of month, it makes it significantly easier to consider what actually feels good (or, like, as close to good as one gets when they’re bleeding for a few days out of each month) for their body. Every vulva is different and every body and lifestyle has something that suits it.

The vagina expands and elongates during arousal and intercourse. This allows a menstrual disc to be worn during sexual activities without it getting in the way or coming out. It already sits at the back of the vaginal canal, in the fornix, and it should move well out of the way when you’re turned on and once penetration takes place.

It depends on what kind of sex you want to have. If you’re practicing oral or anal sex, or outercourse (non-penetrative sex), then yes, you can have sex with a menstrual cup. Because menstrual cups do such a good job of containing menstrual flow, oral sex or outercourse during your period might be even more feasible with your cup in place.

Even though menstrual cups are soft and can’t get lost inside you, we don’t advise having penetrative vaginal sex with a cup. Here’s why:

1. A menstrual discs takes up space in your vagina, leaving less room for a penis, sex toy, or finger.
2. The cup could create discomfort for your partner during penetrative intercourse.
3. Your cup could be pushed up against your cervix, causing you pain.
4. Sex could break the cup’s suction causing it to leak.
5. Your cup could be shifted behind your cervix, making cup removal trickier.

Remember these key takeaways the next time you want to have sex during your menstrual cycle:

1. We don’t recommend penetrative sex with a menstrual discs: penetrative vaginal sex with menstrual cups could be uncomfortable, or even painful, and make cup removal more tricky.
2. Period sex can be a healthy choice. It relieves menstrual cramps, and period blood can act as a natural lubricant if you suffer from vaginal dryness.
3. Period sex does not protect you against pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Remember: menstrual cups and discs are not contraceptive devices.
4. While period sex can deepen your level of intimacy with your partner, remember pleasure is subjective. The actual key to intimacy and enhanced sexual pleasure is cultivating open, non-judgmental communication between partners.

You need to see a Obstetrics and Gynecologist if you have some symptoms related to the female organs, namely changes in volume or frequency of the menstrual cycle, unusual stomach cramps, and pain when urinating or during sexual intercourse. By routinely carrying out examinations to obstetricians and gynecologists, it is hoped that it can increase awareness regarding the importance of the health of the reproductive organs as well as the health of pregnancy and the fetus in the womb.