# Is menstrual sex common in the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 4, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872 "2017-05-04T20:57:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/1 "2017-05-04T20:57:12Z")
Sorry, brainfart. I meant sex during a period. (Could you amend the title, mods?) I’m an old married man now so son’t have much insight into this. Of the relationships I’ve had in my life only a couple of women were up for this, never much liked it myself. The question arose because in a recent episode of Fargo one of the women told a guy not to get his hopes up as she was on her period. I just wondered how representative she was. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/2 "2017-05-04T21:00:12Z")
I don’t think you mean “menopausal.” “Menstrual”, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/3 "2017-05-04T21:11:09Z")
Back when my Wife was still menstruating, not us. Messy and someone had to clean the sheets or the towel. Not worth the bother. I have no insight into what these kids today are up to. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/4 "2017-05-04T21:13:27Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Back when my Wife was still menstruating, not us. Messy and someone had to clean the sheets or the towel. Not worth the bother. > > I have no insight into what these kids today are up to. They switch to anal for a few days ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/5 "2017-05-04T21:14:14Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > They switch to anal for a few days Standing up? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/6 "2017-05-04T21:19:51Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Standing up? with a footstool. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/7 "2017-05-04T21:26:38Z")
We do it. Put a towel down underneath. It’s a little messier than normal, but nothing a few baby wipes (or the towel) can’t handle. You could always do it in the shower or bath if you really want to stay clean. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/8 "2017-05-05T00:25:29Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > with a footstool. And a midget ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/9 "2017-05-05T00:32:50Z")
Sex on a period is great. It’s primal, animalistic. I love it. Messy but with the right precautions, containable. IME, most women are opposed to the idea mostly because they worry that it will gross their partner out. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/10 "2017-05-05T00:36:25Z")
Doesn’t bother me. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/11 "2017-05-05T01:20:51Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@aldiboronti](#): > > Sorry, brainfart. I meant sex during a period. (Could you amend the title, mods?) Changed menopausal to menstrual. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/12 "2017-05-05T03:01:41Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Sex on a period is great. It’s primal, animalistic. I love it. Messy but with the right precautions, containable. IME, most women are opposed to the idea mostly because they worry that it will gross their partner out. Seconding; were women not taught to hide having a period we wouldn’t worry about our partners seeing physical evidence that we have a period. There’s no reason, health-wise, to avoid period sex. ---
**Author:** ![meganfrisbie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@meganfrisbie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meganfrisbie)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/13 "2017-05-05T03:11:04Z")
Men flatter themselves thinking women abstain for their benefit. Most of them feel like absolute hell at that time and simply do not enjoy it ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/14 "2017-05-05T03:38:13Z")
My husband has done it, but I haven’t. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/15 "2017-05-05T03:40:22Z")
> [@meganfrisbie](#): > > Men flatter themselves thinking women abstain for their benefit. Most of them feel like absolute hell at that time and simply do not enjoy it Speak for yourself. It has nothing to do with flattery. I’ve had quite a few women react in disbelief when I tell them i don’t mind, much less enjoy period sex. After they got over that disbelief, they enthusiastically agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/16 "2017-05-05T03:45:48Z")
I’ve had girlfriends who actually have a heightened sense of arousal during this, ahhh period. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/17 "2017-05-05T04:16:29Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Speak for yourself. It has nothing to do with flattery. I’ve had quite a few women react in disbelief when I tell them i don’t mind, much less enjoy period sex. After they got over that disbelief, they enthusiastically agreed. I’m actually a bit uncomfortable with it, but my partners have seemed to be enthusiastic or at least “not today, the painters are in” about it, for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/18 "2017-05-05T06:19:04Z")
I’ve heard that an orgasm can help with some of the symptoms so I always offer. One time in high school I went into the bathroom after and realized I was red from my nipples to my knees. We had a pretty good laugh about that, looked like a couple of murder victims. I’ll also pay a oral visit to the outer parts if she has a tampon in. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/19 "2017-05-05T06:34:47Z")
It’s so cheap to wash a towel and and take a shower that it’s basically indistinguishable from free. And it takes five minutes tops. There’s no reason not to have menstrual sex if the mood strikes. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872/20 "2017-05-05T06:39:38Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’ve had girlfriends who actually have a heightened sense of arousal during this, ahhh period. Second this. IME the tendency seems to be increased horniness. From my POV, it doesn’t make much difference either way. I’m neither turned on nor repulsed by it. TMI description: I like how hot it feels and she’s certainly extra lubed. But OTOH yes there’s more clean-up required and I have to avoid some positions – if i go deep and later she says her pains are worse then of course I will feel responsible. (after all I’m happy to take the credit if her pains have eased afterwards :D) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872.md?page=2)