

When's The Best Time Of The Month? For Sex, Fitness & To Conceive
Having a period is a natural thing; it's a part of what makes us a woman. But between the bloating, cravings, cramping and bleeding, I'm pretty sure that most of us don't give it much thought—that is until our body alerts us to the fact that it's time to pull out our pads, tampons and/or menstrual cups (by the way, I've been using a menstrual cup for about half a year now; they're awesome!).
But as I was prepping for this article, I must admit that I ran across quite a few facts that I found to be really fascinating when it comes to menstruation. For instance, did you know that we tend to spend more money when we're on our period? Or how about this—there is a process known as lunaception (basically, it's about exposing your body to the full moon's light) that can actually help to regulate your cycle? Something else that just may surprise you is the fact that, just because you have a period, that doesn't always or necessarily mean that you ovulated. Yep, a particular study revealed that 37 percent of women (between the ages of 20-49) experience what is known as silent anovulation (bleeding without the passing of an egg).
Yet out of all of the period facts that I checked out, it was the ones that I'm about to share with you that really piqued my curiosity. It also confirmed that while we may only bleed one week a month, our body is truly affected by our cycle, basically all of the time.
When’s the Best Time of the Month to Have Sex?
Whenever someone asks me how I've been able to remain abstinent for as long as I have (it'll be 13 years in January), one of the things that I say is, "I try and watch who I'm around when I'm ovulating."
Just think about it—doesn't it make total sense that when our bodies are telling us that it's peak time to conceive that it would also be the time when we're at our horniest?
So, when exactly are you ovulating? It's typically 14 days before your next period begins. This means that if your period is on a like-clockwork 28-day cycle, on day 14, you are going to begin the ovulation process. And, since sperm can live inside of you for five days, your most fertile time is 12-15 (give or take a day).
There is one other day that is great for off-the-charts sex that doesn't fall in line with your ovulation; it's the day right before your period. There are some experts who say that if you want to increase your chances of having more intense orgasms, the day before is the one to do it. The reason why is because, since that's when the most blood has accumulated in your uterus, the tissues that make up your labia and your clitoris are really sensitive; so sensitive that sexual stimulation will feel totally incredible. (Makes sense when you think about it.)
So, there you have it. If you don't want to get pregnant, it kind of sucks that the time when you want to get it on the most is when you're at the most risk to conceive. But if you've always wondered why you can't seem to get enough of the good stuff about two weeks after your period stops, well, now you know.
One more thing. Since there are also studies to support that ovulation time can make you feel bolder, more attractive and sexier, if there's a guy who you want to ask out or even a job that you'd like to apply for, when your egg is dropping would definitely be the best time of the month to do it!
When’s the Best Time of the Month to Workout?
According to the bookROAR: How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body for Life, although you should exercise all throughout the month, different times of the month will get you the most optimal results. For instance, on the days 1-12 following your period, that is when you're the most likely to want to engage in more intense workout routines. It's because your hormone phase is pretty low, so you have more strength and energy.
Right around day 13, you're probably entering ovulation, so you might not want to do much of anything. But then, between days 15-21, you should be back to feeling great, so you'll be in mood to do pretty much whatever. Around day 22, though, since your body will be prepping for your period to start, it's important to be sensitive to things like the slight rise in your body temperature and the shifts in your estrogen and progesterone levels. During this time, be gentle to your body by participating in things like yoga, water aerobics, or a walk after dinner.
When’s the Best Time of the Month to Make a Baby?
Out of all of the things that I've already shared, this is the one that is probably the least surprising. After all, we learned in sex education that when a woman is ovulating, that is when she can get pregnant. So, why does there still seem to be so much "controversy" about whether or not a woman can also conceive during other times of the month?
Well, one thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the fact that if your period is irregular, it can be hard to track your ovulation days (which is why, for you, using the pullout method isn't the smartest form of birth control, being that it's only around 78 percent effective when periods are regular). If this is you, make sure you see your doctor so that they can check your hormone levels. It's also a good idea to download an ovulation app and to keep some at-home ovulation tests on tap.
Another reason why you might think that you can get pregnant all throughout the month is because you may experience "breakthrough bleeding" during your time of ovulation. If this is the case and you mistake it for having an actual period, having sex without using birth control can sho 'nuf result in a positive pregnancy test result.
Then there's the thing that we already discussed—how long sperm can live in you. If your period lasts longer than 4-5 days, you have unprotected sex towards the end of your cycle, because of how long sperm can live within your body, that could possible result in a pregnancy as well.
As far as period sex goes, although the likelihood of getting pregnant on day one or two of it is extremely low, you didn't hear me say "impossible", so make sure to always keep that in mind. But still, your best time really is your ovulation time, by far.
Sex. Exercise. Pregnancy. I don't know about you, but all of these have given me incentive to get a little more up close and personal with my body, as it relates to my cycle. Clearly, paying close attention to it is about a whole lot more than just the week of my period. Clearly.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
Hack Your Way To Making Your Period The Best Time Of The Month
These Foods Will Make Your Period So Much Easier To Handle
I Tried CBD Products To Alleviate My Period Pain
10 Organic Tampon Brands You Might Want To Try On Your Next Cycle
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Is Once Ever Enough To See Beyoncé's "Renaissance World Tour?"
Many have wondered if one time is ever enough to see Queen Bey. Some argue yes. However, many of us on the opposite end of the spectrum, including myself, would disagree. Beyoncé's "Renaissance World Tour" is a universal yet varying experience for everyone who attends. In the words of Oprah Winfrey, the concert is "transcendent." For millennials, we have over two decades of her catalog that has served as the soundtrack for many of our lives and painted a personal portrait of our most coveted thoughts. Her music provides mental clarity and self-expression by serving as a universal language that has united fans from all walks of life through community, fashion, self-acceptance, and healing.
With a multi-layered approach to her artistry, just as she did on that winter day in December 2013 with the infamous digital drop of her self-titled album, she changed the game again on February 1, 2023, when she announced her world tour in support of Renaissance, her seventh studio album. Her cultural impact set the internet ablaze, with everyone trying to gather their coins, barter for presale codes, and figure out which cities to attend. The group chats were lit, and the Beyhive was stressed trying to get their hands on tickets.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
Unfortunately, I was in that number. As the concert dates passed by and the one in my city drawing near all roads led to disappointment. With time ticking on the day of the Miami show and less than two hours to spare, my wallet bit the bullet, and I purchased three last-minute tickets, costing roughly $700.00 a piece (including fees) for me, my 9-year-old and 16-year-old nieces in Section 121 at the Hard Rock Stadium. With 10 minutes before showtime, we eagerly awaited the Queen to take the stage. A sea of metallic fringes, cowboy hats, disco fans, and western boots were in full effect and filled the entire stadium.
As the lights dimmed, a flood of emotions instantly overtook my body. It continued with each note she belted, along with nearly 50,000 roaring fans. The reverberating sound of the music through the stadium transported me from one era of my life to the next. As a teen girl in her bedroom daydreaming about her first love to blossoming into an unapologetic Black woman who is still on a road of self-discovery while learning to lean into the power anthem of "You won't break my soul." For over two hours, and with each set, I felt joy, love, peace, and a commanderie with fellow concertgoers. It was therapeutic as I danced like no one was watching and sang as if I were alone in my bathroom mirror.
There were no bars held, and I realized at that moment, "Nobody can judge me but me." The "Renaissance World Tour" proved to be so vast, and my Black girl joy was re-invigorated. It was magnetic and liberating, and I had to attend again, but this time, I needed to be up close and personal; I needed to be on the floor. In the days that passed, I watched more social media clips in different cities and asked myself if I would really splurge again to attend another Renaissance show.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
After all, this would be my thirteenth time (maybe more because I lost count) seeing Beyoncé live, whether she was on tour with Destiny's Child, as a solo artist, or doing a live appearance. I contemplated for a while, but it worked itself out on its own. I was gifted two tickets and the next thing I knew, I was off to LA to attend another Renaissance show with floor seats at SoFi Stadium during Beyonce's 42nd birthday weekend! This time, things were different: no kids were allowed. It was adults only this go round.
Although the energy at the Miami and Los Angeles shows was empowering, infectious, and a celebration of life, happiness, and identity, they each provided their own unique experience. However, both concerts were what I needed for my well-being, leaving me with sore feet from dancing the night away, on vocal rest for the next few days from screaming at the top of my lungs, and on an indefinite high on life.
My introduction and love for Beyoncé began in 1996, while my older sister lived in Houston, TX, right before Bey hit the scene in 1998 with "No, No, No" as a budding R&B member. Her evolution twenty-seven years later as an international superstar and into womanhood has been an incredible journey to witness. As Mrs. Carter reminds each of us in the audience every night before the curtain closes, "I want you to remember this moment, where you're standing, who you came with, and take it with you. I hope you feel inspired."
I truly felt inspired, so thank you, Queen Bey. You awakened my inner child, and I will definitely remember these moments and take them with me.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood