Here's everything you need to know before having period sex

There's a reason it has a powerful impact on us, and that impact can't be ignored. It can, however, usually be tempered by experience and a more reasonable view.

Below are some of the things we think everyone should know about period sex.

Many people report that sex – and particularly orgasm – can help to relieve pain from menstrual cramps, or at the very least take their minds off it. Even those who find penetrative sex more painful while they're on their period often use clitoral orgasms as a means to ride through some of the crampy pain.

Period sex can be beneficial from a mental health and body confidence point of view, too. Not just because we all feel better when we're orgasming, but because getting to know your body at every stage of your cycle can bring new ideas, sensations and sexiness to you and your partner.

If you would rather avoid the blood altogether, there are plenty of sexy things you can do to dodge the mess. If you keep a tampon in (or a menstrual cup), pretty much everything you would normally do is available to you, mess-free: masturbation, oral, clitoris-stimulating sex toys and even blow jobs. It's far too common for us to see 'period sex alternatives' as some kind of vagina-substitute.

Sure, some of us might adore period sex, but that doesn't mean everyone does. If the idea makes you uncomfortable, there's no law that says you have to get over your discomfort in the name of empowerment.

Do you need someone to talk to about your sexual lifestyle? Do you have questions about sex? Do you want your sex life to be better? Send your questions to hotpulse@pulse.ng