If you’ve ever wondered what adult content creators do when they get their period, Lily Phillips has revealed the answer.
The 24-year-old OnlyFans star, who went viral for having sex with 101 men in a day, recently appeared on Metro’s Just Between Us podcast to speak with host Diana Vickers about her unique career, dating and family life.
During the chat, Lily opened up about some of the more awkward aspects involved with filming adult content, explaining that you see and hear just about everything, especially when it comes to anal sex.
As such, she says she makes sure that she only works with people she feels ‘really comfortable’ with.
She went on to explain that when she’s filming and having sex on her period, she uses a ‘period sponge’, which is inserted into the vagina, like a tampon.
‘If you’re shooting on your period, you can get a period sponge for adult work.
‘It’s probably not good for you, but you just put it inside you for a few hours while you’re working.’
Lily admitted that getting it out afterwards can be tricky and she often has to get a helping hand from the men she has sex with… literally.
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‘After they’ve f***ed you, it goes up and sometimes you have to get the guy to help you pull it out, because their hands are a lot longer or bigger.
‘They’re unfazed by things like that as they work with so many other girls, so they understand that this is a normal bodily function and they’re not disgusted by anything.’
And Lily isn’t the only one who has spoken openly about using period sponges recently. On TikTok, @nikki_rainbowenvy2.0, a sex worker from Australia, shared what it’s like using them and how they work.
But should people be using them? Not according to doctors…
Are period sponges safe to use?
Menstrual sponges aren’t something you’ll find listed for sale at Boots or Superdrug in the UK, as generally they’re not considered safe.
There are two types – natural sea sponges and a synthetic version.
To use it, the sponge is inserted into the vagina to absorb blood, in a similar way to a tampon, however they can be difficult to remove as they don’t have a string to help pull them back out.
Some people argue that they are more environmentally friendly than tampons, but doctors have warned against using them.
Dr. Babak Ashrafi, a GP for Superdrug Online Doctor who specialises in sexual health, tells Metro that menstrual sponges aren’t ‘medically recommended’ and pose some dangerous health risks.
He said: ‘Unlike tampons or menstrual cups, sponges aren’t regulated medical products, meaning there’s no guarantee they’ve been tested for safety, absorbency, or bacterial resistance.
‘They can also be difficult to remove in full, which increases the risk of irritation, infection, and even toxic shock syndrome (TSS) if any material is left behind.’
And he’s not wrong, in the US in the 1980s the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested 12 menstrual sponges and food they contained ‘sand, grit, bacteria and various other materials’. Yikes.
As an alternative, for those who want to avoid mess when having sex on their period, Dr. Ashrafi recommends using period discs, which are inserted in the vagina and sit at the base of your cervix.
‘These are MHRA-registered and made from medical-grade materials,’ the expert explains.
However, they won’t be for everyone as they can be tricky to put in and remove, and spillages can occur when you take them out if you don’t keep the disc as straight as possible.
Dr. Ashrafi adds: ‘Of course, even when using these, practising good hygiene and using protection is key — since period sex still carries a risk of transmitting STIs.’
Why you shouldn't worry about having sex on your period…
It goes without saying, but periods aren’t disgusting or shameful. They’re just a natural part of life as a woman and so you shouldn’t be worried about having sex on your period, if you want to do it.
We know period sex won’t be for everyone and some people might prefer to use products like menstrual discs in order to avoid making a mess, but really, it’s not something to stess over. Unless you have extremely heavy periods, you and your partner are unlikely to end up covered in blood.
The average amount of blood released during menstruation is between 30 and 40ml. That’s over the course of a few days, so imagine how little blood is actually being released per minute. Now think about how long you have sex for. Realy, there’ll be hardly any when all is said and done.
And even if you do make a mess, it’s not the end of the world and can be cleaned up.
Plus, there are actual health benefits to having orgasms while you’re on your period.
According to Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, orgasms produce large quantities of the ‘happy’ hormone, dopamine, the ‘love’ hormone, oxytocin, and endorphins – natural substances released in the brain that act as pain relievers and give you a natural high.
An orgasm can also reduce menstrual flow as it generates uterine muscle contractions, which help to move menstrual blood from the uterus.
These contractions stimulate blood circulation to the pelvis region, Dr Lee explains, which helps the uterus shed your period blood faster – so not only can it lighten your period, it can also bring it to an end faster.
Exercise can have the same effect… but this is way more fun.
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