Many harbor concerns: Does intercourse during menstruation cause vaginal diseases? Is this true? Experts weigh in.
Menstrual intercourse is not uncommon. Historically, menstruation was viewed as inauspicious: Westerners even believed menstruating women spoiled sausages and soured wine; in some cultures, women were required to stay outside the village during their period;In China, some men upon discovering their bride was menstruating on their wedding night would curse their bad luck, believing it would bring misfortune. They might even accuse the bride of deliberately sabotaging them, sometimes resorting to violence, viewing the "red collision" as a deliberate attempt to bring them down. Thus, these superstitions naturally fostered taboos against menstrual intercourse. In reality, such superstitions are entirely unfounded.
Later, Western medicine introduced concerns that intercourse during menstruation could cause reproductive tract infections. Menstrual blood provides an environment conducive to bacterial growth, and the shedding of the uterine lining creates a large wound surface susceptible to bacterial invasion. Additionally, a woman's immune system function may change during menstruation, potentially reducing disease resistance. Some also suggest it may increase the risk of endometriosis. Ancient Chinese texts similarly cautioned: "Intercourse while menstruation is ongoing causes illness."
Modern Western societies, however, have largely abandoned such taboos, viewing menstrual intercourse as harmless. Yet in recent years, concerns about HIV/AIDS have prompted a return to caution, moving away from complete permissiveness. Current evidence shows no absolute link between menstrual intercourse and infections. With proper hygiene, infections or serious complications are unlikely; conversely, poor hygiene during non-menstrual periods can still lead to infections.
Of course, whether to engage in intercourse during menstruation is entirely a matter of personal preference. There is no need for artificial rules permitting or prohibiting it, as research indicates that some women genuinely experience heightened sexual desire only during their period. This is a normal sensation, with reasons including: (1) Increased pelvic congestion during menstruation, which coincides with pelvic congestion during sexual arousal. (2) The complete absence of pregnancy risk, which can provide a sense of security, allowing couples to fully enjoy the experience.(3) Estrogen levels are at their lowest, leading to a relative increase in androgen levels. Androgens are the most important physiological basis for maintaining female sexual desire. Additionally, some couples mistakenly believe menstruation coincides with ovulation and only engage in intercourse during this period. They later discover during infertility consultations that their efforts were futile. This misconception requires special attention and timely correction. Sexual hygiene must be practiced during menstrual intercourse.In principle, intercourse during menstruation is not entirely prohibited. Some women may worry after experiencing it, but susceptibility to infection does not equate to guaranteed infection. However, special attention should be paid to the following: (1) When menstrual flow is heavy, women may experience dizziness, fatigue, discomfort, or irritability. It is advisable to avoid intercourse in such cases.(2) If a woman strongly dislikes intercourse during her period, the male partner should not pressure her and should exercise self-restraint. Beyond these points, as long as hygiene is maintained, there are no major obstacles. At the same time, experts emphasize that while intercourse during menstruation is possible, this does not mean we are advocating for such behavior.