Sex during period

[Newtoit13]

I'm currently on my period, and I had penetrative sex on the 4th day of my cycle. It's the 6th day (my usual cycle last to a whole 7 days) and I'm still experiencing a heavier flow than usual. I did have a UTI a month or two ago and I'm worried that it might be that again. My boyfriend did use protection but it did hurt when we did it (it was still pleasurable but it felt like there was mild burning sensation in my... Down there). Please help.

[Jacob]

Hi New-to-it!

Welcome to scarleteen. It's great to have you here.

Hormones can effect how pleasurable sex might be at different times during your cycle. So you are right that could be a factor, especially when feeling pleasure can effect how much a vagina can self-lubricate, and hence cause it to be more abrasive and painful afterwards. How lubricated you can get also varies through your cycle too. So you might enjoy PIV sex but simply not be lubricated enough. Unfortunately as you suspect it could also be the beginnning of another UTI.

Working out how to manage UTI tends to vary from person to person, and many people find that being as clean as possible, taking cranberry supliments can help.

You can read more about it here:

Out, Damn UTI!

Also more about painful sex in general:

From Ow to Wow!