Unless you are trying to conceive during the fertile window around ovulation, having sex doesn’t usually change the length or regularity of your menstrual cycle. However, there are some other factors that could affect your period.
For example, if you start bleeding after sex it could be a sign of an infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Also, some women have a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome that can cause irregular periods.
Hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers that control many important body functions, including growth and development, metabolism, reproduction and sexual function, and mood. They are produced in glands known as endocrine glands and secreted into the bloodstream to act on other tissues.
The word hormone comes from the Greek hormao, which means “I excite” or “stimulate.” This is exactly what these little guys do – they send signals between cells to change a body’s behavior. The way hormones work is by binding to specific receptor sites on other cells. The shape of the receptor site determines what kind of action is triggered by the hormone.
If a hormone binds to the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, for example, it tells the ovaries to release an egg. This egg then moves down the fallopian tubes and waits for sperm to fertilize it. If sperm never arrives, the lining of the uterus breaks down and sheds, which is when you get your period.
While your body carefully balances all of its hormones, if you have too much or too little of one particular hormone, it can cause some uncomfortable symptoms. High levels of estrogen, for example, can lead to weight gain and breast cancer, while high levels of cortisol can cause fatigue and depression.
Arousal
There are plenty of reasons why you might be feeling uncomfortable while on your period. Orgasms release tons of feel-good hormones including oxytocin, which can help calm you and reduce premenstrual symptoms like cramps. Oxytocin also counteracts the effects of cortisol, which can make you feel agitated and anxious.
Sexual arousal can also increase blood flow to the pelvic area, which may make some women feel more menstrual symptoms like pain and bleeding. However, some women may not experience any change in their menstrual cycle, even after having sex. This can depend on the type of sexual activity as well as how intense orgasms are.
Many people wonder whether having sex can affect their menstrual cycles. The short answer is no. Unless you are pregnant (which would interrupt your period anyway), sexual activity cannot cause your period to come early or late. However, if you have unprotected sex right before or during your ovulation window, it can increase the chances of getting pregnant. This is because the oocyte is released from one of the ovaries during this time and can then move into the fallopian tube, where sperm can fertilize it.
Sex Toys
Sex toys are objects used for sexual arousal, pleasure and climax. They can range from old hollowed-out loaves of bread or carved chalk dildos to high-tech luxury-grade products with ergonomic features and couples-friendly interfaces. In addition, many sex toys are available in different shapes and sizes to fit various body types and can be purchased with or without an inserted climax piece.
If a woman has sex at the end of the luteal phase, when progesterone levels drop to signal that the menstrual cycle is starting, it may help her period come a bit earlier than it otherwise would have because orgasm can cause pelvic contractions that can speed up the shedding of the uterus lining (3). However, it’s important to note that the shedding of the uterus line occurs because orgasm causes uterine contractions triggered by prostaglandins, not because of hormonal changes caused by having sex (4).
While sex can sometimes help an upcoming period come a little earlier, experts agree that it will only affect your period in one way: If you are pregnant. It can also make your period a bit heavier, or even bring it on if you’re already bleeding from other reasons like a cyst or ovarian cancer. Regardless, if you’re worried about whether sex will affect your period, talk to your doctor or gynecologist before experimenting.
Sex Toxins
While it’s true that the first period is often the earliest time of the menstrual cycle, your menstrual cycle can change in other ways too. Some people experience a late or missed period due to a hormone imbalance or health condition like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These factors can also lead to stress, which can cause a reduction in the amount of estrogen produced, causing your period to start later or disappear altogether.
Having unprotected sex near or during ovulation increases your chances of getting pregnant because the lining of your uterus thickens, making it more fertile and ready for an egg. This is why it’s important to always use a condom during sex, especially when you’re having sex with a partner who doesn’t know that you’re on your period.
But even if you’re not trying to get pregnant, the sex that leads to orgasm can still make your period come sooner because it causes a rhythmic contraction of your pelvic floor that’s similar to the natural uterine contractions caused by prostaglandins. This can help your uterus break down and slough off the endometrium that builds up during the proliferative phase of your menstrual cycle, leading to your period (4). Bleeding after sex could be a sign of sexually transmitted infections, like chlamydia or gonorrhea, so it’s important to visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment right away if you see any signs of infection.
