# Sex eases menstrual cramps? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2007, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799 "2007-11-17T02:51:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/21 "2007-11-17T15:49:27Z")
Male checking in. It always seemed like the orgasm made the cramps go away. I think the foreplay in the form of a deep lower back massage and the lower abdominal massage helped some, too. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/22 "2007-11-17T16:11:25Z")
[QUOTE=Cyn] I had to endure him admiring his abdomen afterward and happliy exclaiming “I’ve been shot!” [/QUOTE] hehe. I’ve never uttered _that_ line, however I have stood up, looked down, and said, “that had better be from you and not me!”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/23 "2007-11-17T17:24:37Z")
Orgasms definitely help. I’ve never liked the idea of actual sex during my period, though. Too messy. And what **twickster** said. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/24 "2007-11-17T18:05:11Z")
[QUOTE=EmAnJ] Oh yes, lots of regular exercise has made a huge difference. So, how many guys feel ok about doing it during the tomato wagon? [/QUOTE] Tomato wagon! And here I’ve been calling it surfing the Crimson Tide. I think I might have to change euphemisms. (Then again, is “tomato wagon” really any more euphemestic than “period”?) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/25 "2007-11-17T18:15:09Z")
I think “period”, as in periodic occurance, is pretty descriptive. Now “curse”, there’s your euphemism. 😃 I’m actually old enough to remember when some women called it that. I also remember them referring to pregnancy as “carrying”. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/26 "2007-11-17T18:18:49Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] I think “period”, as in periodic occurance, is pretty descriptive. Now “curse”, there’s your euphemism. 😃 [/QUOTE] How about Eve’s Curse? Now that one’s pretty archaic, no? Granted, the girls in “Ginger Snaps” did refer to it as the curse, so technically I suppose there are people who remember that one. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/27 "2007-11-17T18:33:38Z")
[QUOTE=Zoggie] How about Eve’s Curse? Now that one’s pretty archaic, no? Granted, the girls in “Ginger Snaps” did refer to it as the curse, so technically I suppose there are people who remember that one. [/QUOTE] Actually, boys my age in the '50’s didn’t hear any reference to menstruation very often, but when I did, it was usually " the curse" or as you say"Eve’s curse". I guess any are better than “on the rag”, huh. I don’t remember any “Ginger Snaps”, except the cookie, but I’m about to look it up. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/28 "2007-11-17T21:19:13Z")
Male checking in. Don’t mind at all (but I am NOT going down there until next week). Plus, the prospect of doing this: [QUOTE=Cyn] My favorite ex-boyfriend was also always happy to help out at that time of the month, but at a price: I had to endure him admiring his abdomen afterward and happliy exclaiming “I’ve been shot!” It was worth it, though—I always felt better after. [/QUOTE] …just made the idea even more appealing. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/29 "2007-11-18T03:32:10Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Actually, boys my age in the '50’s didn’t hear any reference to menstruation very often, but when I did, it was usually " the curse" or as you say"Eve’s curse". I guess any are better than “on the rag”, huh. I don’t remember any “Ginger Snaps”, except the cookie, but I’m about to look it up. [/QUOTE] When I was growing up, it was “on the rag” or “a visit from Aunt Flo(w)”. Now that I dance with the hippies, it’s mostly “moontime”, which is kinda romantic and not gross. I’m using it interchangeably with “period” and “menstruating” when my toddler girl asks what’s up. Yes, I’ve already started talking to the 2.5 year old about menstruation. Hey, she asked. She got some signals crossed somewhere during the explanation, however. She likes to flush the toilet when I’m done and wave, cheerfully saying, “bye-bye, baby!” to the red stained toilet paper. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/30 "2007-11-18T03:54:51Z")
That’s what kids do when you’re open with them, they make their own sense of things. That’s cool. Moontime is exactly what it is, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/31 "2007-11-18T04:36:00Z")
Has anyone else found that having sex with an orgasm the day before your period actually _causes_ cramps? My cycle is highly irregular, and that’s the surefire way to tell I’m going to get my period within 24 hours. ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/32 "2007-11-18T21:23:34Z")
I just came in to say “that’s what towels are for” and to suggest going “ree! ree! ree! ree!” in the shower afterwards when the water flows red for after event hijinks. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/33 "2007-11-18T21:43:29Z")
[QUOTE=Tenebras] I just came in to say “that’s what towels are for” and to suggest going “ree! ree! ree! ree!” in the shower afterwards when the water flows red for after event hijinks. [/QUOTE] Ah, yes, my first [shower scene](http://miraulam.multiply.com/video/item/38). I was 15. Messed me up for years. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/34 "2007-11-18T21:46:58Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Ah, yes, my first [shower scene](http://miraulam.multiply.com/video/item/38). I was 15. Messed me up for years. 😉 [/QUOTE] Women in art? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/35 "2007-11-18T21:50:54Z")
[QUOTE=Zoggie] Women in art? 🙂 [/QUOTE] Yeah. You just reminded me of something. An infamous painting only a woman could do. I’ll see if I can find a link. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/36 "2007-11-18T21:52:43Z")
[QUOTE=gallows fodder] Has anyone else found that having sex with an orgasm the day before your period actually _causes_ cramps? My cycle is highly irregular, and that’s the surefire way to tell I’m going to get my period within 24 hours. [/QUOTE] Yes! Hurts like hell for a few seconds afterwards. A kick start to the cramps, I guess… ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/37 "2007-11-18T21:56:18Z")
Do not click if you’re queasy. There are a [lot](http://spiralingmoon.livejournal.com/) more than one Actually, they’re quite pretty. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/38 "2007-11-18T21:56:49Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] I don’t remember any “Ginger Snaps”, except the cookie, but I’m about to look it up. [/QUOTE] Whoops, sorry. I didn’t address this earlier. “Ginger Snaps” is a movie from a few years ago about a girl who gets her period when she’s about fifteen or sixteen (a little late, granted, but not as late as Carrie) and that same night, she is attacked by a werewolf. She becomes a werewolf. So calling it “the curse” sort of has a double meaning. Good movie–I recommend it, and its sequel. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/39 "2007-11-18T22:05:32Z")
[QUOTE=Zoggie] Whoops, sorry. I didn’t address this earlier. “Ginger Snaps” is a movie from a few years ago about a girl who gets her period when she’s about fifteen or sixteen (a little late, granted, but not as late as Carrie) and that same night, she is attacked by a werewolf. She becomes a werewolf. So calling it “the curse” sort of has a double meaning. Good movie–I recommend it, and its sequel. [/QUOTE] In my queue. Thanks. Have you seen “The Beginning”? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799/40 "2007-11-18T22:10:33Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] In my queue. Thanks. Have you seen “The Beginning”? [/QUOTE] Not yet. I watched “Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed” a couple of days ago. “The Beginning” is in my queue now, though. I really like both Emily Perkins and Katharaine Isabelle now–both of their performances are top notch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-eases-menstrual-cramps/426799.md?page=3)