This Is How Your Menstrual Cycle and Period Affects Your Orgasms

Everyone who’s had a period knows how tricky they can be. Many people know their menstrual cycle like the back of their hand but every once in a while it throws a wrench into the system. Menstrual cycles have an effect on your sex drive as well--researchers have even done studies on different effects this monthly cycle has on the libido. A few studies found that the menstrual cycle has a pretty interesting impact on orgasm and can change the way sex feels.

Patterns. Your menstrual cycle can do some pretty interesting things to you. If you have a regular cycle you may start to notice patterns throughout those 28 days. Your mood will adjust depending on where you are in the cycle, your productivity changes, your appetite.

Sex. Your menstrual cycle also has a big effect on your sex life as well. I mean, it makes sense right? Your monthly cycle is your body’s evolutionary way of preparing you for reproduction, but there’s more to it than just the normal cervical mucus/egg release stuff.

Intensity. Many people have found that sex feels differently throughout different stages of the cycle. The intensity of orgasms change throughout the month as well. Some people have found that sex during your period actually feels really good--like even better than regular sex.

Fascinated. Researchers are fascinated with the changes that occur during a person’s menstrual cycle and have even done studies on it. Some of the studies focused on libido, while others focused on how blood flowed through genitals. Several studies looked at the effects the cycle has on orgasms.

Similar Effects. Researchers at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville conducted a study using 115 female participants between ages 23-45. The researchers were surprised to find that the women reported similar effects on their orgasms at mid-cycle.

Survey. The team gave the participants a survey and then asked them to complete it twice. They had to do it once just before their period started, and then mid-cycle, around the time of ovulation. According to Psychology Today, “the women reported significantly more interest in sex and greater satisfaction from orgasm at mid-cycle.”

Blood Flow. A team of Dutch researchers decided to look at how blood flow is affected during the cycle--increased blood flow in the genitals is an indicator or sexual arousal. They used a machine to detect blood flow on their 20 female participants’ genitals and then showed them erotic videos, noting their findings.

Increase. The researchers found that there was an increase in genital blood flow around the time of the participants’ ovulation. The women were then surveyed about their libido throughout the month. They told the researchers that they felt more aroused during ovulation.

Hormonal Changes. "During the menstrual cycle, there are a ton of hormonal changes," Dr. Jamie Knopman of the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine told Redbook. "While the first half of the cycle is dominated by estrogen, the second half is dominated by progesterone.”

Rise and Fall. She continued, “Add to that the rise and fall of hormones like LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and testosterone, and your body can experience many changes, some which have to do with sexual desire and the ability to achieve an orgasm."

Peak. Estrogen levels are at their peak during ovulation, and your body experiences an increase in LH--this makes things really great for people trying to reproduce and those who aren’t. Your vaginal secretions increase as well, making sex feel even better, and you may experience even more intense orgasms.

Position. Knopman explains, "It's sort of mother nature's way to increase the chance of conception. The cervix also changes position around the time of ovulation--its position becomes more 'comfortable' when you are ovulating, making intercourse less uncomfortable."

Period Sex. If you find a partner who isn’t squeamish about blood, you may want to give period sex a try--the days just before or after it will work as well. Climaxes during your period can be one of the most intense orgasms you will ever experience. Also orgasming releases oxytocin which can provide some pain relief.

Sensitivity. OB/GYN Kameelah Phillips told Redbook, “Depending on a woman's and her partner's comfort with bleeding, orgasm can be more intense for a few reasons. The increased blood flow to the pelvis can lead to greater genital sensitivity and therefore more intense orgasm."

Healthy. Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into an orgasm than just actual sex though. According to Phillips, they’re also very complex, and a manifestation of the “physical, emotional, and psychological state of women.” She explained, "Women may experience more intense orgasms just prior to ovulation, but they also experience intense orgasms when the relationship is healthy and they feel empowered in their life and body.”