I lost my virginity while I was on my period. Is there a health risk for either me or him?

--Rachel

Sex, in general, is not risk-free. If you did not use birth control, you risk pregnancy. If you did not use a condom to decrease the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, then you risk contracting an STD. Infections contracted while you are bleeding may be worse -- for many sexually transmitted microbes, such as the bacteria that cause gonorrhea, blood is an excellent medium in which to grow. Also, if you are HIV-positive, you could pass the virus on to your partner through menstrual blood, especially if he had a lesion (sore) on his penis. (If both of you were virgins, the chance of either of you having -- or passing -- an STD is extremely low.)

If you practice safe sex, then having sex while on your period, whether it is for the first time or not, does not confer any additional health risks.