Skip to main content
Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Free Shipping on All Domestic Orders.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KMK
Poosh
  • Poosh Your Wellness
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
5 Ways to Get Out of Your Head
5 Ways to Get Out of Your Head
4 Ways to Gently Wake Up 
4 Ways to Gently Wake Up 
7 Foods for Prime Sex From an OB-GYN
7 Foods for Prime Sex From an OB-GYN
Plank Your Way to Better Abs
Plank Your Way to Better Abs
Mindfulness Exercises if Meditating Isn’t Your Thing 
Mindfulness Exercises if Meditating Isn’t Your Thing 
Cheat Days Are Necessary—Here’s How We Do It
Cheat Days Are Necessary—Here’s How We Do It
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
How to Make Your Passion Your Full-Time Profession
How to Make Your Passion Your Full-Time Profession
Clean(ish) SPFs That Are Actually Cool
Clean(ish) SPFs That Are Actually Cool
Yes, Psychodermatology Is a Thing
Yes, Psychodermatology Is a Thing
How to Plan the Perfect Summer Vacation
How to Plan the Perfect Summer Vacation
How to Have Your Best Hair This Year
How to Have Your Best Hair This Year
Sexy Tops for Your Next Date Night 
Sexy Tops for Your Next Date Night 
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
How to Recreate Kourt’s Wellness Smoothie at Home
How to Recreate Kourt’s Wellness Smoothie at Home
Our Go-To Summer Cocktail Recipes
Our Go-To Summer Cocktail Recipes
An Easy and Healthy Breakfast Idea
An Easy and Healthy Breakfast Idea
Healthy Baking Substitutes
Healthy Baking Substitutes
How to Recreate Kourt’s Health Nut Order at Home
How to Recreate Kourt’s Health Nut Order at Home
Kourt’s Spicy Guacamole Recipe
Kourt’s Spicy Guacamole Recipe
  • family
  • kourtney
The Most Helpful Things Kourt Has Learned Since Having COVID Again
The Most Helpful Things Kourt Has Learned Since Having COVID Again
Kourt’s No-Makeup Glow Routine
Kourt’s No-Makeup Glow Routine
It’s More Than Just a Candle: The Goop x Poosh Collab
It’s More Than Just a Candle: The Goop x Poosh Collab
How Kourt Got Ready for the Met Gala
How Kourt Got Ready for the Met Gala
Kourt’s Birthday Sale Picks
Kourt’s Birthday Sale Picks
An Exclusive Peek Inside Kris Jenner’s Glassware Room
An Exclusive Peek Inside Kris Jenner’s Glassware Room
What are you looking for?
  • Shop
  • Open/Close Button HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • Open/Close Button HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • Open/Close Button KMK
    • family
    • kourtney
  • Open/Close Button LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Poosh Your Wellness
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Sexual Wellness

WHY AM I HORNIER When I'm on My Period?

By Kate Balestrieri
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @80svintagepulps
@80svintagepulps

Desire is not one-dimensional and can fluctuate from moment to moment for each person.

Though there’s not an obvious correlation, many cisgender women and menstruating folks report feeling hornier during their period. It may seem counterintuitive at first, but there are plenty of reasons that some might prefer to rock the crimson wave.

Hormones, hormones, and more hormones

During ovulation, a person who menstruates will experience their highest levels of estrogen, which is notorious for boosting a person’s sex drive. However, during the week of your period, estrogen levels are lower, as are levels of progesterone. The lower levels of both hormones don’t make for an obvious spike in desire or arousal.

Enter testosterone. During your period, there is a small increase in testosterone, which is known to increase desire and libido. Well-known for its impact on the sex drive of cisgender men, testosterone can also boost arousal for people who menstruate. Sidebar—people with higher levels of misogyny love to say women are “emotional” during their period. But it’s testosterone that increases during menstruation, so if that is what is leading to emotional dysregulation, then what might we extrapolate about the emotional disposition of cisgender men who tend to have higher levels of testosterone in general?

Moving on …

In addition to hormonal fluctuation, there are some contextual factors that lead to an increase in arousal during menses.

Less inhibition

Psychologically, it can feel safer to have sex during menstruation. Even though there is still a risk of sex leading to unwanted pregnancy during your period, the risk is much lower, which can reduce sexual inhibitions and lead you into a friskier state of being.

More lubrication

When someone is on their period, the period blood can serve as extra vaginal lubrication, which can help to decrease pain and improve pleasure sensations.

Pain relief

Many people who menstruate experience cramps and discomfort. The endorphins that can be released during an orgasm and during good sex can offer a temporary mood boost and pain relief. Having solo or partnered sex on your period can be a form of self-care if it helps to eliminate pain or discomfort.

Forget claiming a headache to avoid sex. For people with a headache, sex can help to reduce the pain and help you feel better faster. A nice perk when you’ve got the period aches.

Mood booster

Having sex can be fun, connective, and expressive. Orgasms can elicit oxytocin, which can help you feel closer and more bonded to a partner. Oxytocin obliterates cortisol, so it can help reduce stress and promote relaxation too.

While being horny on your period isn’t universal, it isn’t uncommon. Some people may experience an increase in desire at that time of the month, and others may maintain a strong aversion or no real change at all. All are healthy and common reactions, so honor what your body needs and wants. Periods can be annoying enough as it is; no one needs any additional judgment added to the mix.

Shop our sex and love collection:

Shop Tap Dancer
Shop Aer Suction Toy
Shop Pom Flexible Vibrator
Shop Arc G-Spot Vibrator
Shop Eva Couples Vibrator
Shop Fin Finger Vibrator
Shop Ora 3 Oral Sex Simulator
Shop Sona 2 Cruise Sonic Clitoral Massager
Shop Gigi 2
Shop Women's Daily Vitamin Bundle
Shop Biodegradable Intimate Wipes
Shop Refresh Daily Wash
Shop Revive Hydrating Mist
Shop Restore Mask
Shop Radiant Love Butter
Shop Closeness: A Card Deck for Intimate Connection
Shop MunkeyBarz Sex Belt
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong & Atame - Black
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong & Atame - Ivory
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong & Atame - Red
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong & Glove - Black
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong & Glove - Red
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong & Glove Set
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong - Black
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong - Ivory
Shop Sydney Double Strand Pearl Thong - Red
Shop Sydney Glove - Black
Shop Sydney Glove - Red
Shop Sydney Glove Set

Dr. Kate Balestrieri is a licensed psychologist, certified sex therapist, certified sex addiction therapist, PACT therapist, and founder of Modern Intimacy, a group practice in Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago. Listen to her podcast, Modern Intimacy, and follow her on IG @drkatebalestrieri.

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

You may also like...

Go to article The Era of Casual Hookups and No Commitment
Relationships

The Era of Casual Hookups and No Commitment

Go to article The Power of Simple Yet Passionate Sex
Sexual Wellness

The Power of Simple Yet Passionate Sex

Related Articles

Goes to article 7 Foods for Prime Sex From an OB-GYN
Sexual Wellness

7 Foods for Prime Sex From an OB-GYN

Goes to article What It Means When He Doesn’t Cum … And Why You Shouldn’t Take It Personally
Sexual Wellness

What It Means When He Doesn’t Cum … And Why You Shouldn’t Take It Personally

Goes to article Cockblocking and How to Deal with It 
Sexual Wellness

Cockblocking and How to Deal with It 

Goes to article An Expert’s Guide to Fingering
Sexual Wellness

An Expert’s Guide to Fingering

Goes to article The Best Position (for Most Women) to Have Internal Orgasms
Sexual Wellness

The Best Position (for Most Women) to Have Internal Orgasms

Goes to article Fingering Is Back
Sexual Wellness

Fingering Is Back

Goes to article Sex on the First Date: Is It For Me?
Sexual Wellness

Sex on the First Date: Is It For Me?

Goes to article TikTok Sex Hacks That Are Actually Legit
Sexual Wellness

TikTok Sex Hacks That Are Actually Legit

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Accessible360
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved