Ladies, it’s time to stop limiting yourselves sexually – no matter what time of the month it is.

I think it’s just plain unfair that during a woman’s period, it’s expected that she either transform into her partner’s oral sex slave or behave as if she belongs to a convent. Sexual intercourse during menstruation can be even more fun and rewarding than sex during other times of the month. According to health information Web site WebMd, orgasms and exercise (both of which are achieved through intercourse) can help relieve menstrual cramps. Also, while those fluctuating hormone levels that come along with having your period can turn you into a raging you-know-what, they can also increase your libido, making your sexual experience that much more enjoyable.

Even though I’m in a long-term relationship and do find my desire for sex to be greater during my period, I’m rarely able to get my boyfriend to cooperate with me. The conversation always goes something like this:

Boyfriend: “Babe, if I had blood coming out of my business down there, you wouldn’t want anything to do with it.”

Me: “That’s because if you had blood coming out of you down there I’d be busy driving you to the hospital.”

As much as I’d like to, I can’t place all of the blame on my beau for maintaining such an attitude. For thousands of years, cultures across the globe have viewed menstruation as evil, dirty and even a sickness. Throughout history, certain Islamic, Christian and Jewish beliefs suggested women should be segregated from men during their periods, that they should refrain from handling food and performing certain chores, and that children conceived by women on their periods would be physically and mentally diseased. Even present-day American society attaches an irrational stigma to menstruation. Feminine hygiene products advertised as having “quiet” wrappers (heaven forbid another woman in the ladies room hears you unwrapping a pad or tampon) and super-discrete packaging sends women the message that their period is something they should be ashamed of.

If you’ve never tried “period sex” before and would like to, talk to your partner to find out if he or she is on the same page. If you’re both ready but still afraid of a mess, here are some tips to ensure your love den doesn’t end up resembling a scene from “The Shining:”

-Try to stick to one sex position (missionary is probably best). The more you’re moving around, the more potential there is for blood to get everywhere, which could very well put a damper on the mood.

-Protect your sheets. Put a dark-colored, inexpensive towel down on the bed first.

-Have sex in the shower. With the water running, chances are you’ll hardly notice the blood. Not to mention you’ll both be hot, wet and slippery. Need I say more?

While sex during menstruation is perfectly healthy, it is still entirely possible for a woman to get pregnant while she is on her period. There is also evidence to suggest it is the most likely time for a woman to contract an STI due to changes in acidity levels in her vagina.