

Traditionally, many of us have stayed away from having sex during our menstrual cycle because we feel like it will be messy and ugly.
We've even seen plenty of scenarios where a woman says she can't get busy because she's on her period. And in most cases, we are that woman.
I know I've been guilty of being super self-conscious; wondering if I have that "period odor" or if I'll leave a gross, bloody mess behind and completely ruin the vibe. But in reality, period sex does wonders for the body in more ways than one. So, instead of letting our period block us from experiencing a sensational high that we've been craving, we can embrace the idea of it actually enhancing our sexual experience and bodies as a whole.
Get you some!
Ease Those Cramps
It turns out an orgasm is quite the remedy for period cramps; which we all know are the worst. Apparently, when we reach our sexual peaks during an orgasm, our bodies give off oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins that make period cramps a little less painful and more bearable. It might even be great enough for you to replace your cramp medicine with good, old-fashioned sex. I'm here for it!
You’ll Want It Even More
Once you get past the awkward moment of having your first sexual experience during your period, don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to do it even more. Having period sex boosts the desire to, well, have more sex while on the cycle. There's a variety of things that play into this, from hormone levels to physical changes our bodies experience while on our period. But either way, it looks like going for it could work out better than waiting for your period to end.
Sex More, Stress Less
Yes, period sex can even reduce stress! If anything, this serves as an excuse to get it on as much as possible during our cycles, because we all know that stress can get out of control. According to Very Well, a study conducted by Arizona State University showed that the women in the study who had affection and sexual behavior with their partner had less stress and were in a better mood the following day. Enough said.
Treat Headaches
Along with cramps, one of the most irritating side effects of being on our period is having headaches. Thankfully, having sex while on the cycle can also help alleviate that. And it's not always just for the time being. According to a study obtained by PopSugar, 70% of people who suffered migraines said they felt "moderate to complete relief" concerning their headaches while having sex. That's as good of a reason as any to enjoy intercourse while on your period.
Your Period Can Get Shorter
Isn't that ironic? All this time a lot of us have been worrying about having sex during our period, when doing so can actually reduce the number of days we're actually on our cycle. Here's how it works: Whenever you have an orgasm, the uterus tightens and shrinks; its lining diminishes even quicker. Along with making your period shorter, which is a score in itself for some, period sex can also push out the particles in the uterus that make us get cramps.
Help Get Your Cycle On Track
For the ladies who have an irregular cycle, research has shown that period sex can help you have more steady cycles. But the reason why is so bizarre, sis. Women's Health reported that "frequent boot knocking" (their words not mine) can help you get more up close and personal with the sweat of your male partner's armpit. Legit, and you don't actually have to smell his armpit. Here's a fun fact: While being on our period has taken the slack for not wanting to have sex, the actual hormone that does this is at its all-time low during your cycle.
Catch More Zzz's
Apparently, period sex can actually put you to sleep; which is a huge bonus for those of us who stay up tossing and turning in search of a pillow to put between our legs. Sex creates more oxytocin and lowers the amount of cortisol (reducing stress) – enhancing hormonal changes that help your body relax even more. On top of that, there is even more estrogen in the body than a typical day, which causes us to fall into an even deeper sleep.
No Need For Lube
If you're someone who is typically drier down there during sexual moments, your fluid from your period can actually serve as an amazing and natural lubricant. Keep in mind that, according to Hello Flo, women typically lose four to 12 teaspoons of fluid during their period. And it's not all blood. Still, this fluid not only cancels out the need of interrupting the moment to apply a lubricant, but it also improves and heightens the overall level of satisfaction that you and your partner can experience.
It Improves Overall Intimacy
When you let go of the worry of having sex during your menstrual cycle, it can actually enhance the intimacy between you and your partner. You'll want it more, and your sex drive will be at a very high peak (if not the highest), which will result in turning on your partner even more. Plus, it can probably make your significant other feel even more special because you trust them enough to have this moment despite feeling awkward about it initially. It's like the circle of life.
Featured image by Getty Images.
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Before getting married and becoming a mother, Danielle Brooks was just fine focusing on her career.
“I did not want children,” Brooks shared on the first episode of Pregnant Pause, a new podcast for Black women at the intersection of motherhood and ambition. “I was one of those women who believed I was not gonna be married and I was not gonna have kids, and I was ok with that.”
But after meeting her now husband Dennis Gelin, The Color Purple actress had second thoughts about building a family. And one moment in particular rocked her world and changed her mind.
While playing the role of Sophia in The Color Purple on Broadway and playing Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson on the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, Brooks shared she struggled with severe acne and decided to get on Accutane. However, because it is a potent teratogen, meaning it can cause significant harm to a developing fetus, experts warn the retinoid medication should never be taken during pregnancy due to the high risk of severe birth defects. When Brooks found out she was pregnant while taking the medication she realized she did, in fact, want a child.
“I will never forget, when I saw that pregnancy test, I broke down,” she said. “And it wasn’t out of fear. I broke down because I realized I wanted to be a mom, and that option was no longer on the table in this moment. And it shocked the hell out of me.”
Brooks eventually had her daughter Freeya in November 2019, and got married in 2022. Today she juggles her career with being a wife and mother and got real on how hard it can be but how necessary it is to pull back at times.
“There are moments in motherhood, in marriage, in life that you need stillness,” she said. “And I’m learning that that is ok and beautiful.”
Watch her full interview on the Pregnant Pause Podcast here, or listen to the episode on Apple, Spotify, iHeart or where you listen to podcasts.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
"I'm Not Your Therapist": David Banner Gets Real About Grown Folks & Loving Black Women Out Loud
David Banner didn't come to the xoMAN podcast to play.
With his salted goatee and signature Banner stare, he's got the internet in a bit of a chokehold, and rightfully so. In one of the most recent episodes of the xoMAN podcast, the rapper, producer, activist, and unapologetic truth-teller kept it all the way real with our host Kiara Walker. The 51-year-old got deep about ego, healing, and what it really means to love Black women out loud.
And another thing he makes clear? The fact that he's done trying to fix people who don't want to fix themselves.
"Sometimes we feel like we can change things with people. People are grown. That's why most of the things I do focus on kids. Cuz grown-ups, they talk stuff, but done made up their mind about the people that they want to be, you know. And I don't really have time to--I'm done with that, trying to change people and be people therapists," David shares matter-of-factly.
Adding, "This is something that is slightly rude, but I do it a lot. I'll tell people that I really care about, 'I'm not your therapist.'... I'm not your therapist. That one ain't for me. I am not trained for that, you know what I'm saying?"
Can the church say amen?
When Kiara slid in a question about what would make him happy in a partner right now, David didn't hesitate, sharing, "Somebody that wants me and doesn't need me. And that's financially, that's spiritually, that's mentally. Somebody that's doing the self-work. They got their own things going on. Somebody that I can miss sometimes... I would love that."
David, who's known for playing up the piercing intensity of his stare, can crack a megawatt smile that takes your breath away in an instant, and he did just that, radiating as he talked about his appreciation for the way Black women have been showing up for him lately.
"As hard as I play sometimes, I am really honored with the way that Black women are loving on me right now. I act like I'm unfazed but it's sweet. And they're very vocal about it... I do what I do to honor the Black woman and I'm glad that they're taking it the right way because I'm very serious about what I do."
Still, don't expect the Fight Night star to get comfortable with all the praise. To him, it's not something to be marveled, but to be expected. He's a man doing what he feels a man should do.
"The only thing about it I hate that people make it something special when it's just what a man is supposed to do... A man is supposed to look you directly in the eye. What is a man hiding that he can't? You know what I'm saying? If you are a woman, you're supposed to want to be around a man that's going to protect you... So it's like for me, I try not to marvel in the things that I am supposed to do as a man."
And we all collectively swoon.
Watch the full episode of xoMAN featuring David Banner on YouTube here and see why it is this conversation and his particular brand of salt and pepper still have the people talking.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock