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Published on: 3/5/2025

Is It Normal for a Period to Stop After Having Sex?

It can be normal for your period’s flow to slow or pause after sex because the uterus may contract, but if you're worried or the change happens often, it's best to talk to a healthcare provider.

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Explanation

Sometimes after having sex, some women notice that their period slows down or seems to stop for a while. This can happen because during sex or orgasm, the muscles in the uterus might contract. These contractions can temporarily push the blood back or slow the flow, making it seem like your period has stopped. Research has looked at how sexual activity can change the way blood flows or the timing of menstrual cycles, and these changes are not unusual. For example, one study looked at how sexual activity during menstruation might affect bleeding patterns, suggesting that the physical responses during sex could lead to noticeable changes. However, this does not mean that you are ending your period permanently – it just might pause for a short time. If you experience this occasionally and it doesn’t cause any discomfort, it is likely a normal response. But if you notice other unusual symptoms or if the bleeding pattern changes frequently, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying issues.

(References)

  • Mazokopakis EE, Samonis G. Is Vaginal Sexual Intercourse Permitted during Menstruation? A Biblical (Christian) and Medical Approach. Maedica (Bucur). 2018 Sep;13(3):183-188. English. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2018.13.3.183. PMID: 30568737; PMCID: PMC6290188.

  • Mollazadeh S, Sadeghzadeh Oskouei B, Kamalifard M, Mirghafourvand M, Aminisani N, Jafari Shobeiri M. Association between Sexual Activity during Menstruation and Endometriosis: A Case-Control Study. Int J Fertil Steril. 2019 Oct;13(3):230-235. doi: 10.22074/ijfs.2019.5601. Epub 2019 Jul 14. PMID: 31310078; PMCID: PMC6642425.

  • Najmabadi S, Schliep KC, Simonsen SE, Porucznik CA, Egger MJ, Stanford JB. Characteristics of menstrual cycles with or without intercourse in women with no known subfertility. Hum Reprod Open. 2022 Sep 27;2022(4):hoac039. doi: 10.1093/hropen/hoac039. PMID: 36186844; PMCID: PMC9519089.

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