You Won’t Believe What Science Just Revealed About Men, Menstruation, and Sex—And It’s Time We Talked About It

by mandymorgan January 30, 2025

Let’s be real—menstruation has always been a weirdly taboo topic. Even though it’s a normal part of life, people still whisper about it like it’s a state secret. And when it comes to periods and sex? That’s next-level awkward.

But here’s the thing: Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. And in some cases, the stigma around periods—especially for sex workers—can lead to real health risks. A groundbreaking study in Kenya just revealed how little many men know about menstruation and how that lack of knowledge fuels harmful myths, risky behaviors, and even dangerous hygiene practices.

So, what did researchers uncover? And what does it mean for sex, relationships, and health? Let’s break it down. 👇

🚨 Menstruation Myths: What Men Think They Know (And Why It’s a Problem)

Researchers interviewed 51 male clients of female sex workers (FSW) in Kisumu, Kenya, to understand their views on menstruation and sex during periods. What they found was a mix of outdated myths, deep-seated stigma, and some surprising curiosity.

The Top Misconceptions:

✅ Menstrual blood is “dirty” or “impure.” Some men believe menstruation is a process of “cleansing” the body of bad blood or toxins. Spoiler alert: That’s not how it works.

✅ Sex during periods is dangerous. Some participants were convinced that sex with a menstruating partner could cause infections or even diseases like pelvic inflammatory disease (which, fun fact, only affects people with uteruses).

✅ Periods should be hidden at all costs. Many men admitted they don’t want to know when their partner is on their period, especially if they’re paying for sex. Some even admitted feeling “deceived” if they found out later.

✅ Religion plays a big role in stigma. Church teachings often reinforced the idea that menstruation makes women “unclean” and that sex during this time is forbidden.

🧐 Wait, What?!

• One participant even said, “It is not sweet anymore because it is like you have entered into mud.”
• Another admitted he would “switch to Plan B” (aka hire a sex worker) if his girlfriend or wife was on her period.

This isn’t just about weird beliefs—it’s about how these ideas shape behaviors, relationships, and even public health policies.

💡 The Hidden Dangers of Hiding Periods

For many sex workers, the stigma around menstruation isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. Because of negative attitudes toward period sex, some women resort to extreme measures to keep working. These include:

🔺 Stuffing cotton or tissue into the vagina to absorb blood during sex (which can increase the risk of infections and HIV transmission).
🔺 Frequent intravaginal cleaning (which disrupts the natural vaginal microbiome and makes STIs more likely).
🔺 Avoiding disclosure about menstruation out of fear of violence or losing income.

One participant put it bluntly: “If I see blood, my mood is spoiled.” And when men react this way, it puts women in impossible situations where they feel forced to risk their health just to survive.

🤯 The Menstrual Disc: A Game-Changer for Sex During Periods?

Here’s where things get interesting. The researchers introduced male clients to menstrual discs, a reusable, internal period product that sits at the base of the cervix and can be worn during sex without leaking blood.

And guess what? Despite knowing nothing about menstrual discs before, many of these men were open to them! In fact, some even said they’d be willing to buy one for their wife or girlfriend. 😮

🛑 But there was a catch. Some men still wanted to maintain the “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach, preferring not to know whether their partner was using one. Others said they’d only be okay with it if they could “test it out” first.

👉 The takeaway? Education and open conversations could make menstrual discs a widely accepted, safe alternative for period sex—especially for sex workers who often face stigma and risk when working during their period.

🔥 What Needs to Change (And How We Fix It)

This study makes one thing clear: Men need better education about menstruation. And not just about the biology—about the impact of stigma, the real risks of unsafe period management, and how their own attitudes shape health outcomes for women.

So, what can we do?

🔹 Make menstrual education a priority for everyone. Schools need to teach all students about periods—without shame or stigma.
🔹 Challenge religious and cultural myths. Faith-based communities have a huge influence, so we need to ensure that their teachings aren’t reinforcing harmful period taboos.
🔹 Promote safe menstrual products like discs and cups. Giving women access to better period care (and educating men about it) could reduce stigma and health risks.
🔹 Encourage men to be part of the conversation. If we want real change, men need to be allies—not just bystanders.

💬 Let’s Talk About It

💡 What’s the wildest period myth you’ve ever heard? 💡 If menstrual discs became mainstream, do you think they’d change how people feel about period sex?
💡 How do we get more men involved in normalizing conversations about menstruation?

Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep this conversation going. Because the more we talk, the more we can break the stigma