Bodyform ran a survey to find out what were the UK's thought on the matter of intimate relationships during periods. Find out more here.
Full Period Sex Survey Results
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? ‘I believe it’s possible to have sex while a woman is menstruating’
| Choice | % |
| Strongly agree | 39.65% |
| Somewhat agree | 35.70% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 10.90% |
| Somewhat disagree | 5.80% |
| Strongly disagree | 5.85% |
| Don't know | 2.10% |
2. Which of the following best describes how you feel about the idea of having sex while either you or a partner was menstruating?
| Choice | % |
| It’s disgusting | 28.28% |
| It’s not great, but wouldn’t affect me too much | 40.42% |
| It doesn’t bother me at all | 21.21% |
| None of the above | 7.62% |
| Prefer not to say | 2.46% |
3. Have you ever had sex when either you or a partner was menstruating?
| Choice | % |
| Yes | 51.50% |
| No | 45.34% |
| Prefer not to say | 3.16% |
4. Would you be happy to have sex when/if either you or a partner was menstruating in the future?
| Choice | % |
| Yes | 36.01% |
| No | 44.73% |
| Don't know | 17.40% |
| Prefer not to say | 1.86% |
5. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? 'Currently, or in the past, I would never have sex while I am/was menstruating either for the first time or again'
| Choice | % |
| Strongly agree | 29.37% |
| Somewhat agree | 18.38% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 17.98% |
| Somewhat disagree | 19.78% |
| Strongly disagree | 13.99% |
| Prefer not to say | 0.50% |
6. If you agreed with the statement in the previous question, why is/was this?
| Choice | % |
| I don’t like it | 34.73% |
| It’s uncomfortable | 21.13% |
| I don’t feel sexy | 44.35% |
| I don’t feel clean | 52.93% |
| I worry I might be more likely to catch an STI | 1.67% |
| I worry it will hurt | 5.44% |
| I’m not in the mood when I’m on my period | 30.75% |
| It’s a turn off | 44.56% |
| It’s too messy | 69.67% |
| I worry my partner won’t like it | 18.41% |
| I’m bloated | 15.27% |
| I’m too embarrassed | 23.64% |
| I worry there is more chance I will fall pregnant | 2.09% |
| I feel tired | 11.51% |
| I’m in pain | 19.46% |
| Prefer not to say | 0.63% |
| Other | 1.05% |
7. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? 'Currently, or in the past, I would never have sex with a partner if they were menstruating either for the first time or again'
| Choice | % |
| Strongly agree | 23.83% |
| Somewhat agree | 16.65% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 22.49% |
| Somewhat disagree | 16.27% |
| Strongly disagree | 18.95% |
| Prefer not to say | 1.82% |
8. If you agreed with the statement in the previous question, why is/was this?
| Choice | % |
| I don't like it | 36.88% |
| It's uncomfortable | 21.04% |
| It's too messy | 53.90% |
| I worry I might be more likely to catch an STI | 7.33% |
| I worry I might hurt my partner | 20.09% |
| I don’t think my partner will be in the mood | 29.08% |
| It’s embarrassing | 21.04% |
| It’s a turn off | 50.35% |
| I worry there is more chance they will fall pregnant | 3.31% |
| Prefer not to say | 4.02% |
| Other | 0.95% |
9. Have you ever cancelled a date with a partner, due to you menstruating?
| Choice | % |
| Yes | 12.09% |
| No | 82.32% |
| N/A – never had a date whilst menstruating / prefer not to say | 5.59% |
10. If yes, have you ever cancelled a date, whilst menstruating, because you potentially wanted to have sex with a partner?
| Choice | % |
| Yes – I’ve cancelled because I didn’t want to have sex whilst I was menstruating | 50.41% |
| No – I’ve cancelled, whilst menstruating, NOT because I wanted to have sex but for other reasons (e.g didn’t feel well) | 46.28% |
| Prefer not to say | 3.31% |
11. Have you ever made up an excuse to get out of having sex, while you or your partner were menstruating, because you don’t want to give the real reason?
| Choice | % |
| Yes | 13.59% |
| No | 83.05% |
| Prefer not to say | 3.36% |
12. If yes, which of the following excuses have you used?
| Choice | % |
| I'm too tired | 42.80% |
| I've got a headache | 20.66% |
| I don't feel well | 40.22% |
| I'm too busy | 9.23% |
| I'm too full | 12.92% |
| I'm not in the mood | 36.90% |
| I'm too hungover | 11.07% |
| I want to finish watching this program | 12.18% |
| I've got an early start in the morning | 19.93% |
| Someone might hear us | 12.92% |
| I don't have any protection | 8.86% |
| Prefer not to say | 2.58% |
| Other | 1.11% |
13. Have you ever argued or broken up with a partner because one of you wanted to have sex while one of you were menstruating but the other didn’t?
| Choice | % |
| Yes – I’ve argued with a partner | 4.66% |
| Yes – I’ve broken up with a partner | 2.71% |
| Yes – I’ve argued and broken up with a partner | 2.56% |
| No – we have not argued or broken up | 64.19% |
| N/A – never had a situation where one of us wanted to have sex but the other didn’t | 24.12% |
| Prefer not to say | 1.76% |
14. Did/do or would you talk openly with your partner about your/ their menstrual cycle?
| Choice | % |
| Yes | 70.91% |
| No | 18.86% |
| N/A – don’t have a partner | 7.67% |
| Prefer not to say | 2.56% |
15. If no, why not?
| Choice | % |
| It's personal | 45.21% |
| It's embarrassing | 20.74% |
| It's a turn off | 25.80% |
| It’s good to keep some things a mystery in a relationship | 18.09% |
| I/ my partner wouldn’t understand | 11.44% |
| I/ my partner isn’t very sympathetic | 9.84% |
| I/ my partner is too immature when the subject comes up | 6.12% |
| Prefer not to say | 5.59% |
| Other | 2.13% |
16. Are/were there particular days while you are/were menstruating where you would be more inclined to have sex?
| Choice | % |
| Yes – the start and the end of my period | 7.09% |
| Yes – the start of my period | 6.39% |
| Yes – the end of my period | 23.28% |
| Yes – the middle of my period | 2.60% |
| No – I would have sex throughout my period/no particular days | 17.68% |
| N/A - I wouldn’t be more inclined to have sex during my period | 40.56% |
| Prefer not to say | 2.40% |
17. Do/have you take(n) part in other sexual acts, other than intercourse, when you are/were menstruating?
| Choice | % |
| Yes | 46.45% |
| No | 48.85% |
| Prefer not to say | 4.70% |
18. Which of the following statements do you agree with?
| Choice | % |
| I am/would’ve been more likely to use protection if I have sex while I/ my partner is menstruating | 12.80% |
| I would/would’ve never discuss(ed) having sex when I/ my partner is menstruating with friends | 25.10% |
| ‘Period sex’ is a taboo subject | 20.25% |
| Details of a menstrual cycle are something women should keep to themselves and not share with their partner | 6.85% |
| If I were to have sex while I/ my partner was menstruating, I would/would’ve take(n) extra precautions such as not having sex on the bed, or putting towels down etc | 34.65% |
| None of the above / prefer not to say | 30.60% |
19. During the average week, how many times do you have sex?
| Choice | % |
| 0 | 23.70% |
| 1 | 23.10% |
| 2 | 18.35% |
| 3 | 12.85% |
| 4 | 6.60% |
| 5 | 2.55% |
| 6 | 0.70% |
| 7 | 1.95% |
| Prefer not to say | 10.20% |
| Average excluding prefer not to say | 1.73 |
20. How happy would you say you are with your sex life?
| Choice | % |
| Very happy | 20.50% |
| Fairly happy | 34.10% |
| Neither happy nor unhappy | 25.30% |
| Not very happy | 10.50% |
| Not at all happy | 6.40% |
| Prefer not to say | 3.20% |
21. Do you openly discuss your sex life with your partner?
| Choice | % |
| Yes | 64.92% |
| No | 21.82% |
| Prefer not to say / N/A - don't have a partner | 13.26% |