A person can masturbate while on their period. However, it may require some additional preparation and cleanup. Masturbating during a period is natural, and may have some health benefits, including improving mood and pain relief.

This article will explore masturbation during menstruation in more detail, including the benefits, how to do it, and some tips for cleaning up.

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Masturbation involves someone stimulating their own genitals or erogenous zones. Some people may choose to do this with their fingers or a sex toy, such as a vibrator.

Being on a period does not mean a person cannot masturbate, and there are no negative side effects to doing so.

Some people assume that period blood is dirty, and in some cultures, there is social stigma surrounding menstruation. However, it is a myth that menstrual blood is dirty or harmful. Unless a person has a blood-borne illness, menstrual blood is not dangerous.

Some people also believe that masturbating is morally wrong for religious or cultural reasons. This may make some people feel ashamed for doing it.

However, in terms of physical health, masturbation is the safest way to have sex. With self-stimulation, there is no chance of unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

There is some evidence to suggest that masturbating during a period could be beneficial. Some of the potential advantages include:

Pain relief

When a person reaches orgasm, their body releases endorphins. These are hormones that can alleviate pain, which may be helpful for people who experience abdominal cramping during menstruation.

Boost in mood

If a person often feels down while on their period, having an orgasm may help.

During an orgasm, the body releases chemicals — such as dopamine and serotonin — that affect a person’s mood. If a person has low serotonin, this may improve their mood.

Masturbating is also an enjoyable experience for many people, and some even report that it improves their self-esteem.

Improved sleep

One 2019 study suggests that orgasms can improve a person’s sleep quality, particularly orgasms that are the result of masturbation. Participants in the study reported the most favorable outcomes in sleep after self-stimulation.

As some people feel tired or experience sleep disturbances during their period, this may mean that masturbation helps them get more refreshing sleep.

Better lubrication

During menstruation, the inside of the vagina is coated with blood. This offers a lot of lubrication, which can reduce friction when inserting fingers or sex toys.

There is no right or wrong way to masturbate while on a period, as everyone has their own preferences, desires, limits, and boundaries.

Some people may prefer to masturbate in a way that requires little cleanup afterward. However, some people may prefer to forget about this, and just enjoy the experience.

The following tips may be useful for people who want to masturbate with minimal mess.

Masturbate in the shower or bath

Masturbating in the shower or bath minimizes mess and makes cleaning up afterward easy. The water from the shower or bath will wash away any blood.

If using a sex toy, make sure that it is waterproof before bringing into the bath or shower.

Try clitoral and external stimulation

If a person does not want to insert their fingers or a sex toy into their vagina while on their period, they can try stimulating their clitoris and other external erogenous zones instead.

This will create less mess than penetrative methods, and if someone is wearing a menstrual cup or tampon, they will not need to remove it.

Use toys

If a person wants to use a toy for penetrative masturbation, there are a few things they can do to keep it clean.

For example, they could put a condom over phallic-shaped toys. This will mean that they can remove the condom and throw it away after masturbating.

A person can also keep sex toy cleansing wipes within reach. This will allow a person to masturbate and then clean the toy immediately after.

It is also safe to have sex with others during a period, as long as people take precautions against unintended pregnancy and STIs.

Some of the following methods allow someone to continue wearing a tampon or menstrual cup if they would prefer this. However, some may prefer not to. Before engaging in penetrative vaginal sex, remember to remove any menstrual products from the vagina.

If a person or their partner wants to try these options on a bed, it can be helpful to put down some old towels or sheets to avoid staining other fabrics.

Mutual masturbation

Mutual masturbation involves two or more people masturbating at the same time. This option prevents a person from needing to remove a menstrual cup or tampon during a period.

Oral sex

Receiving oral sex from a consenting partner during menstruation may be another option.

If a person wants to try this but is unsure about blood entering their mouth, they can try a dental dam. Dental dams are devices that protect the mouth from direct contact with the genitals during oral sex.

Alternatively, a person can wear a menstrual cup or tampon while their partner stimulates their clitoris externally.

Anal sex

Anal stimulation or penetration is another way to have sex during a period. A person can receive anal sex while on their period, or, alternatively, they can give it to others by using a strap-on toy.

In general, cleaning up after period masturbation or sex follows a similar process as cleaning up after sex when not menstruating.

First, a person should wash their vulva with warm water. If a partner or partners took part, they should also wash their genitals in the same way. If a sex toy was part of the experience, a person should wash this as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

If blood gets on clothing or bed sheets, a person can rinse the stain through with cold water as soon as is convenient. This will make it easier to remove. Do not use hot water.

Scrape off any excess with a blunt knife, and wash the fabric in lukewarm water with laundry detergent. An enzyme-based stain remover may also help.

There are no health risks specific to masturbating while menstruating. However, as when masturbating at other times, a person should follow some basic hygiene practices.

For example, it is important to wash the hands before and after touching the genitals and to clean any sex toys after use.

If a person has vaginal intercourse during their period, they will still need to use birth control. It is possible to become pregnant after having unprotected sex while menstruating.

Additionally, a barrier method such as a condom is necessary to prevent STIs. During oral sex, dental dams can protect against STIs.

People can masturbate on their period. There are no health risks associated with doing so, and masturbating during a period may help alleviate menstrual cramps, difficulty sleeping, or a low mood.

People can masturbate in the shower or bath, or by focusing on external stimulation, if they want to avoid mess. If having sex with a partner or partners during a period, it is still necessary to use birth control.