14 Comments   
If you've got a burning relationship question and a need for multiple opinions, then Guyspeak/Girlspeak is for you! Over at Guyspeak, girls write in and ask real guys real questions. Together, a Guyspeak guy and I pick one of the questions and each answer it the only way we know how ... correctly. Sometimes we agree, usually we don't, but either way you get advice from both sides of the gender pond. This week's question:

My boyfriend refuses to have sex with me when I'm on my period, and I think he's being silly and childish. Is it really that gross?


This week John and Emily discuss the two sides of the sex-during-menstruation debate. Should period week remain "get creative week" in couples' homes, or should couples just jump right in with a towel handy? Who's more squeamish, men or women? And what about the cleanup? Read on for opinions on both sides of the ... stream. (Sorry)



Guy Voice: John Devore

I don't like having period sex. I am a failure of a man. Maybe this is why women are such fans of vampire stories. Those monsters crave the one thing all of male civilization is creeped out about -- blood. I don't know, maybe on a certain level men are envious. Menstrual envy.

I enthusiastically greet my woman's noble flow, for it is proof that she is a fertile Earth goddess, and mighty life-bearer. It is also proof that she is not swollen with our lust spawn. Praise! But sex during the blood storm? Can't I just walk through the rain at 3 a.m. in order to fetch absolutely anything you want, in bulk? I'll happily massage your cramps away!

I have had sex with girlfriends during their "monthly miracle." Women certainly are hornier, and more orgasmic during the primal climax of the moon cycle. Though I'd like to dispell a commonly held myth: Having sex while her body is turning itself inside out is not a proper form of birth control -- it is still possible to knock her up, although not likely.

All this said, I am not a fan. Partly because I think all men are squeamish about blood. We're not the gender that gets a friendly reminder every 30 days or so that our bodies are full of life juice. I think the only instances men see their own blood is when they jump on a skateboard, launch themselves off a ramp and eat concrete. When I see blood, I squeal. Like a pink little piggie wearing a baby-blue bonnet.

Sex is messy. Messy is good. But doing it during her period just triggers bad associations. I'm totally willing to accept that this is my inadequacy, since most women I know are totally fine with breaking out a towel, and crunching it out, horror-movie-style.





Girl Voice: Emily Gordon

John, you're such a progressive guy. I'm quite surprised! I expected you to have a towel designated for riding the crimson tide.

Listen, for those of you -- male and female -- not into using "the organic tampon" during menstruation, I get it. I'm not expecting anyone to prefer sex during menstruation only (warning, ladies: if you meet a guy with these preferences, it might be a red flag), but I do think we should stop treating it with such disgust. Of all the insane things that people do in the bedroom, how lame is it that period sex is up there?

Is it possible that women have been slowly and continually taught to be so ashamed of their Aunt Flo that now we're so busy apologizing for our natural bodily functions that we forget that we might actually want to have sex? Orgasms are known cramp relievers, and hormone fluctuations make some women hornier. Maybe period sex is just nature's Midol. Trust me fellas, just making it Blowjob Week, as BroBible suggests, isn't cutting it.

So, my suggestion is at least try it.

Ladies, do it at a time when you feel physically comfortable, and make sure you're not surprising your guy with this new trick -- definitely mention your intentions a few days ahead. Acknowledge that it might get a bit messy, and make it a fun experiment you try together. If the old "towel on the bed" trick doesn't work for you, have sex in the shower instead, where there's no messy cleanup. (Just don't look down!).

Women menstruate once a month for most of their adult lives, so if you try it and it's not your bag, so be it. Just make sure that your partner is aware of all the other creative ways to please you in the meantime. Have fun!


What do you think? We want to hear how you feel about "riding the crimson tide." Have you ever done it, and how is it for you? What tips do you have, and if you don't have sex during your period, what do you do? Let's get messy! Leave your comments below, and if you have a question you want both genders to take a shot at answering, head over to Guyspeak and ask -- it might end up back here!