Why Do I Feel So Horny When I'm Ovulating?

Feeling bloody turned on at certain points of your period? Desire levels can shift all throughout our menstrual cycles - and you might be wondering why. Whether you find yourself randily reaching for the Dipsea Irish accent audios when you’re ovulating or you’re tackling cramps with a cheeky morning sex session, pleasure and periods can often go hand in hand. Over to HANX Co-Founder and in-house gynaecology expert, Dr Sarah Welsh. Not only does she encourage us to moan about our hormonal migraines and period poops, but she’s seen and heard it all when it comes to all things libido and uterus-related.

“Let’s start with periods, as I still hear from people who don’t feel totally sure about what it’s all about! Your period is the part of the menstrual cycle when you shed the endometrium - the lining of your uterus. The first day of your period is counted as the first day of your menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones (progesterone and oestrogen), which are released by the ovaries, and these hormones cause the lining of the uterus to build up. The thick uterine lining is ready for a fertilised egg to implant into, but if there is no fertilised egg then this lining breaks down and bleeds out of the vagina. The cycle, which usually takes around a month, then starts again.”

So, why do I feel more turned on at certain times of my menstrual cycle?

• Hormone levels: the hormones that fluctuate during your period also influence your sex drive.  Our peak sexual desire occurs at the end of the Follicular Phase, in the five days before ovulation, which falls in the middle of our menstrual cycles. If we think of this in terms of evolution, this is the time when we’re most fertile, and when our oestrogen levels are rising, so you naturally may find you’re peak horny at this time. Not only this, but levels of oxytocin rise at this time, and theories suggest the flood of both hormones can supercharge our sex drive. More research, as ever, is needed here…
• Increased blood flow: Increased blood flow to the genitals and circulation during your period can also enhance arousal. 
• Natural lubrication: if you find you’re particularly turned on during your period, it may be down to your bleed. Menstrual blood can act as natural lubrication and surprisingly for some, turn you on.
  
  

I’m in the mood when I’m ovulating, but I don’t feel horny during my actual period.

Whilst periodcare ads would have you believe that you can do anything, from rollerskating to racecar driving, on your period, the truth can be different for everyone - especially when it comes to sex. Over to Dr Sarah:

“Some people experience intense cramps, fatigue, soreness and discomfort during their monthly bleed, which can make sex the last thing on their mind, especially if you have a condition such as endometriosis which can make both periods and penetrative sex especially painful. Other reasons you might find that you have a lower libido during your period include fatigue and a dislike of the more messy aspects e.g. bleeding on your sheets/partner/toys.”

How to have great period sex

• Scheduling sex around your menstrual cycle. In the same way that you might track your period, why not try charting your libido? If you can identify the time of the month when you feel most horny, it could be a great way to identify date nights. Far from being unsexy, scheduling sex can have real benefits for intimacy, as psychosexual therapist Dr Kate Moyle's book, The Science of Sex, explores.
•  It’s worth considering that orgasms can actually soothe period pain. Orgasms release dopamine and serotonin, which can ease cramping and shorten your period. 
• Masturbating, or if you and your partner are down for it, having some partnered play. If you’re using toys like our non-penetrative clit toy, Cindy, make sure to wash them with a gentle soap in clean water, dry carefully and thoroughly and store in a cool, dry place.

Want more?

• Can you swim on your period? Dr Sarah has the verdict. Read on.
• 70% of us experience desire dips. Discover the top things dampening our community’s libido - and how to boost yours.
• Meet Libido Lift, our bestselling desire supporting supplement for women.