Could this new invention remove the stigma attached to period sex?

This new device could help solve that awkward 'do we-don't we' question...

Let's face it, despite providing relief to people who've just started having sex that condoms work, periods aren't a welcome monthly visitor.

Spots, cramps, mood swings and (of course) continual bleeding all cement the point that periods really aren't great. But thanks to painkillers, carbohydrates and box sets, we're getting by.

But there's one issue with a monthly period which has particular stigma attached to it: period sex.

Period sex is a Marmite topic - we’ve all thought about it, confronted with the ‘will we-won’t we?’ decision after ‘Aunt Flo’ gatecrashes a romantic date. In fact, period sex is so divisive than only 50% of us have even tried it.

It is, after all, a messy experience, making even the most confident of us fear grossing-out our partner by turning their bed into a crime scene.

But is there a solution?

One San Franciscan-based company seems to be on the case with a brand new invention. The FLEX is a new tampon and sanitary towel alternative designed to be worn during sex.

The FLEX is a disposable, disc-shaped device which creates a soft barrier to the cervix, temporarily blocking the flow of menstrual blood. It can be worn for up to 12 hours and is hypoallergenic, BPA-free and presents no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Although originally designed as just an alternative to regular sanitary products, the FLEX Company has argued that its new device is a great way to enable period sex, helping women to feel less self-conscious and allowing them to get intimate whilst they're 'on'.

‘Women spend almost a quarter of their lives menstruating’ explained CEO and company founder Lauren Schulte, ‘If we can help make a woman feel even slightly less ashamed about her body during this time, we’ve accomplished our mission’

Could this be the end to period sex stigma? We’ll have to wait and see.

The FLEX will be available for purchase from autumn 2016, with the FLEX Company taking pre-orders now.