If you’ve recently found yourself wanting to love (on) yourself a bit more during your menstrual cycle, we’re here to tell you, that’s completely normal. In fact, it’s actually pretty common for our bodies to experience an increase in sexual desires on or before a menstrual cycle.
Here on The Spot, we’ve talked about how masturbation is a healthy, normal part of life, and now we’re going into even more detail on the facts and benefits of menstrual masturbation. If you have your period, that does not mean you cannot masturbate. There are no negative side effects to doing so.
Increased sexual desire during a menstrual cycle is largely due to the fluctuations of hormones, and depending on what phase of the menstrual cycle the body is in, sex may be the only “period craving” you have. Typically about two weeks before your period begins, you are in the Ovulation Phase, and ovulation is the only way your body can make progesterone, an important part of a healthy menstrual cycle.
After ovulation, your progesterone levels rise and your uterine lining matures in preparation for a possible pregnancy. Progesterone is the precursor to testosterone, and given that both estrogen and testosterone are linked with sexual desire, it’s no surprise your sex drive has noticeably increased.
Can You Use a Vibrator On Your Period?
Let’s get right down to it, yes. We repeat, YES! You can use a vibrator on your period.
Exploring options for orgasming during your period is a great way to vibe out and explore what you find both comfortable and pleasurable. Sex toys, like our Mini Vibrator, are great for self pleasure during your menstrual cycle. During a menstrual cycle, and especially during the menstruation phase of that cycle, our senses are heightened. So if you opt for a sex toy, consider using a lower setting than you would normally use to avoid any unpleasant overstimulation.
Also, if period masturbation makes you think, “What about getting period blood all over my vibrator?,” don’t worry, you can wash it! Water-safe or water-resistant sex toys can be cleaned with soap and water for hygienic maintenance. If menstrual blood is still a bodily fluid you want to avoid during masturbation, you can try focusing solely on clitoral stimulation and avoiding vaginal canal penetration. We also recommend leaving a tampon or menstrual cup in while using a toy (externally) during your “me time” for even less mess.
Can You Masturbate With a Tampon In?
Benefits of Masturbating While Menstruating
Having a good time getting off isn't limited to penetrative sex. Your period can be the perfect time to focus on other areas to stimulate, like the clitoris, labia and perineum. You can also layer in erotic massage and nipple play, by hand or with a sex toy.
Masturbating offers many health benefits, such as reduced anxiety and stress, better sleep, and last but not least, supporting your sexual desires at times when you're not partnered or unable to engage in sexually pleasurable activities with a partner.
Plus, the idea that we can hold off on taking pain reliever pills and opt for natural cramp relief through an orgasm seems like a win-win. With an orgasm, our body releases oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a natural pain reliever, which means you’re achieving pain relief from menstrual cramps all on your own (go you!), though we can’t guarantee you won’t get a foot cramp from all that feel-good toe curling.
How to Use Sex Toys While On Your Period
To be clear, whatever makes you feel most comfortable and carefree in the moment is what you should do. Feel free to experiment with variations of masturbating techniques during your period. Sex toys are a safe way to pleasure yourself on your period. If you think you might leave in a tampon or menstrual cup, you can opt for products like our Personal Lubricant or Pleasure Gel to keep things wet, sans the blood.
Remember, for your safety, you should remove your tampon or menstrual cup before any type of penetration, even if the penetration is with a sex toy.
Period Cleanup
If a potential mess has you stressed, have a clean-up plan in place (extra towels, trash bin nearby, Cleansing Wipes within reach).
Dark sheets and/or a dedicated period towel can be a great way to further support your peace of mind during menstrual masturbation to help keep your furniture as clean as possible.
You could also try masturbating in the shower, which is one of the easier ways to avoid a mess on or around your body. If you’re bringing any sex toys into the shower, make sure they are water-safe or water-resistant (like our Mini Vibrator!). Bringing lube into the shower is a great way to offset the water washing away your body’s natural lubrication, which can cause uncomfortable friction. If you can’t get into the shower right away, that’s okay.
Slip into a pair of period underwear for leak-proof, comfy support until you’re ready to shower. When you shower afterwards, rinse your vulva with just warm water or warm water and fragrance-free soap. Please don’t wash inside your vagina—it’s self-cleaning! Avoid disrupting the healthy pH balance of the vagina or contracting a yeast or bacterial infection with proper cleansing.
Another tip (pun intended) we love? Using a condom on your sex toys to keep them covered for easy cleanup.
Your Cycle Will Guide You
So remember, menstruation (aka your period) is the final phase of your cycle when you shed your uterine lining that built up during the luteal phase. During this time, it’s normal to feel an increase in sexual desires.
No matter how you decide to show yourself some self love, blood flow or not, your sexual pleasure brings great benefit to your overall wellbeing at a time when your body, and all of the accompanying hormonal symptoms, can use it most. Knowing that it’s not only safe to masturbate on your period but also an aid in various health and wellness benefits makes us team menstrual masturbation all the way.