Ask An Expert: Is It Safe To Have Sex During My Period?

Our team of seasoned experts answer all your questions on pregnancy, delivery, children and women’s health, sexuality education and more.

Q: Is it safe to have sex during my period? Just want to be sure. Secondly, I’ve been spotting after intercourse recently. What could be the problem?

Dr. Alex Kaoranu Molukwu (OB/GYN) says:

I suppose you meant either safe from getting pregnant or contacting infection.

During menstruation, the vaginal PH is higher and less acidic than normal. The cervix is lower in its position, the OS (cervical opening) is more dilated and the endometrial lining is absent. Organisms can gain direct access to the blood stream through the numerous blood vessels supplying the womb. Therefore, there is increased risk of contracting infection during a period.

Having sexual intercourse per-se during your menstruation is relatively safe from pregnancy. However, in some cultures and religions, it is considered as dirty or unclean.

Love making during menstruation can help ease the symptoms of premenstruation syndrome (PMS). Firstly, the blood of menstruation serves as lubricant during sex thus making sex more pleasurable. Orgasm naturally releases natural pain killer thereby boosting mood and relieving uterine cramps, headaches and mild depression.

However, you are likely to contract blood borne diseases like HIV, HAPATITS B, and C. Yeast infection is also not uncommon. Some partners find the odour delightful rather than repulsive. The staining of your sheets can be well managed.

Note that there is still a chance that you can get pregnant during your period, so it is totally wrong to assume that it is absolutely safe to have sex without one form of contraception, say the pill.

Finally, your spotting after sexual intercourse will need to be thoroughly investigated by your physician. It may likely be as a result of trauma or infection in your reproductive tract. Neoplasm of the cervix must be excluded. This may be a warning sign of a neoplasm, call it cancer. Please do not neglect or disregard it. It is very important to recognize warning signs and learn what you can do to reduce your risk.

Q: Are X-rays safe during pregnancy? What types are safe and which ones should be avoided? What are the risk factors generally? Are there precautions l should insist must be taken to protect me and my baby?

Dr. Alex Kaoranu Molukwu (OB/GYN) says:      

X-ray examinations are very useful in the detection of pathology of the skeletal system as well as for detecting some disease processes in soft tissue.

Having an X-ray examination during pregnancy is generally considered safe. It is highly unlikely that a diagnostic X-ray during pregnancy will harm a developing foetus.

Radiological examination of the arms, legs, head, and chest will not expose patient’s reproductive organs/foetus to radiation. However, low energy (soft) X-rays are not suitable in medical diagnostic application because they are totally absorbed by the body.

These days, ultrasound has become established as the method of choice in most centres/hospitals. It has the great advantage of convenience and apparent lack of any foetal or maternal hazard. The convenience and efficiency have been greatly enhanced with the development of real-time scanners.

Q: Is it normal for a girl who is just a little over 2 years old to have vaginal discharge – I mean, whitish and silky, just like that of an adult during ovulation? What could have caused it and what are the remedies?

Dr. Alex Kaoranu Molukwu (OB/GYN) says:

It is estimated that 60 – 70% of virginal discharges are normal. Vaginal discharges serve to keep the organ clean and help to prevent infection. The amount of the discharge can vary, as can the smell, colour and consistency.

Certainly, your daughter is not ovulating at the age of 2- 3 years. Your description rules out the possibility of an infection.

Any change in perineal hygiene and/or the use of bubble bath can give rise to what may be seen/appear as an abnormal discharge. Scented toilet soap or lotion may produce an abnormal discharge; in fact, parasitic infection has a similar effect.

Chemicals found in detergents, fabric softeners and feminine sprays can also produce abnormal vaginal discharge.

Wearing cotton underwear will offer a good remedy as it increases air flow and decreases moisture build up.

My advice is that you may consult your specialist if this discharge persists after good home care and appropriate measures are taken to avoid the above causative factors.