While masturbating during your period used to be taboo, it actually comes with some pretty cool benefits. One of those benefits is that it can relieve menstrual cramps, especially if you have an orgasm.
Orgasms are known to alleviate pain by releasing feel good hormones, such as endorphins. In addition to alleviating pain, orgasms can also increase arousal.
Endorphins
One of the best ways to relieve period cramps is to have an orgasm. While this may not sound like a good idea for many, it can actually help soothe your cramps and also give you relief from other PMS symptoms like stress, backache and mood swings. This is because of the rush of three hormones secreted by your body, while you orgasm – serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. These are known as happy hormones and are responsible for boosting your mood.
Your body has natural pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins that are released when you exercise, eat, have a sexual experience or feel euphoric. These hormones are able to block pain signals from reaching the brain, similar to how codeine and other opioid drugs work.
During menstruation, your estrogen and progesterone levels peak right before and then dip when bleeding begins. These hormones are directly related to your levels of serotonin and endorphins. If you have low levels of these two chemicals, you are likely to suffer from painful periods.
You can increase your endorphins by having a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein. You can also drink soothing (caffeine-free) teas such as ginger, mint or chamomile. These herbal remedies have been shown to reduce menstrual cramps and also relax your muscles.
Vaginal Stimulation
Period cramps (also called dysmenorrhoea) are caused by chemicals released from your uterus as it prepares to shed its lining. This happens in response to a natural drop in the hormone progesterone just before your menstrual flow starts each month. They can range from dull aches through to sharp stabbing sensations and nausea.
While the idea of having penetrative sex while on your period might make you cringe, it doesn’t have to be as messy as it sounds, especially if you use a tampon or menstrual cup. Just be sure to take mess precautions, like having tissues nearby in case you need to wipe. You can also try using a lube that doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients, such as the Women’s Health Boutique organic vaginal lubricant.
Touching or pressing your genitals with your fingers, a dildo or even your partner’s hand can be sexually satisfying and lead to orgasm. Stimulating the clitoris (which you can feel through the front of your vagina in some women) and pressure on the G-spot (the internal part of the clitoral system that can be felt through the vagina in some women during sexual arousal) can cause pelvic fullness and body tension to build up to a peak and then release, resulting in an orgasm.
Getting an orgasm will help relieve your period pain and discomfort by releasing those feel-good endorphins we mentioned earlier, which will lift your mood. Plus, the clitocin released during an orgasm can help alleviate the pain by blocking certain nerve signals.
Orgasm
It’s no secret that getting orgasmed feels amazing, but did you know it can also help relieve period cramps? Whether you’re experiencing a orgasm from partnered sex or masturbating on your own, bringing yourself to climax can help ease period pain. When you reach orgasm via your fingers, dildo or vibrator, your body releases a rush of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine that act as natural pain relievers. Plus, the climax may help to soothe other PMS symptoms like headaches.
A plethora of different factors can cause period pain, but the most common is cramps. These cramps are caused by your uterus contracting to shed its lining, which is kind of like a milder version of the contractions pregnant women experience in the lead up to labour. The cramps are a result of prostaglandins, which are released when progesterone levels drop at the start of your period and trigger uterus contractions.
During sex, your clitoral hood (the area around the tip of your penis) is stimulated which can increase the flow of blood to that area, and reduce or even eliminate cramps. If you want to try masturbating while on your period but are worried about ruined sheets, sexologist Shamyra Howard suggests using a clitoral sex toy that doesn’t require insertion. These sex toys can be found in the clitoral department of any sexual health store and can be used with a condom if needed to prevent any leaks.
Pain Relief
Having sex during your period can help ease cramps, but you don’t have to be between-the-sheets to reap the benefits. Even masturbation can help. That’s because orgasms release oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, which are natural painkillers. These feel-good hormones also relieve stress, which can cause menstrual cramping.
The contractions that occur during orgasms can also ease period cramps by helping the uterus shed its lining, which is what causes bleeding and cramping in the first place. And, of course, sex can help ease the pain by distracting you from thinking about your cramps.
You can also get relief from period cramps by taking over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen (Aleve). These anti-inflammatory drugs are the best at relieving period cramps because they directly block the enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which cause cramping. Acetaminophen, on the other hand, doesn’t do this but can still dull the pain by changing how your brain processes it.
Lastly, exercising, eating well and getting plenty of sleep can also help reduce the pain caused by your periods. And if your cramps are really bad, see a gyno about prescription NSAIDs such as mefenamic acid, which can be taken orally and works by blocking certain enzymes that lead to the production of protaglandins. If your cramps don’t go away, consider trying acupuncture.
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