In a city celebrated for accepting the body in all its messy, naked glory, Berlin is surprisingly unprepared when it comes to one basic biological reality: periods. Most venues and sex-positive parties fail to address menstruation in their hygiene policies – leaving people with periods to fend for themselves. That lack of institutional care has real implications, from shame and exclusion to increased STI risk and poor sanitation. Why isn’t period care treated as a public health issue in spaces where sex is commonplace?
Major venues like KitKatClub and OXI don’t mention period-related measures in their public materials. Meanwhile, notably sex-positive events such as Symbiotikka and Gegen didn’t respond when asked about menstruation policies or etiquette, and Four Play confirmed they have no specific rules.
One of the aspects of menstrual health is that you have the materials and resources to manage your menstruation with dignity.
Pinky Promise, a well-known pleasure party, is an exception. “All bodies and all fluids are welcome,” says creative director Jared Philippo. “We provide sanitary pads in our play spaces … If there’s any blood (or other fluids) on the sheets after play, we just ask that guests remove them so our team can replace them with fresh ones. ”Pinky Promise, a well-known pleasure party, is an exception.
Sex club Insomnia, while not publicly advertising any menstruation policy, is cited for its strict hygiene standards. “I was impressed with how elevated [Pinky Promise] is … but it’s still nowhere near the level of integrity that Insomnia has,” says Berlin-based menstrual health expert Danielle Keiser. “They have paper towels, hygiene spray, condoms – they take a real sense of responsibility around the fact that people are having sex there.” In contrast, she adds, “They could give less than a fuck at KitKat.”
This inconsistency shifts the entire burden of care onto individuals. “Personally, I do not feel safe having sex at these public places because they’re fucking dirty … they don’t take the hygiene concept seriously enough to make me as a menstruator feel safe,” says Keiser. “One of the aspects of menstrual health is that you have the materials and resources to manage your menstruation with dignity. And if [hygiene protocols] are all over the place, then that’s not dignified.”
Menstrual blood, Keiser notes, contains not only blood, but also endometrial tissue, cervical mucus and vaginal secretions – all part of the body’s natural process of shedding the uterine lining during an unfertilised cycle. Yet, despite being a monthly part of life for many, menstruation remains unmentioned, even in sex-positive spaces. This cultural discomfort makes it harder to integrate periods into frameworks of safety and consent.
There are also health risks. “Menstrual blood can carry bacteria further,” Keiser warns, confirming an increased risk of STIs and other infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, during menstruation. Ana Ornelas, an erotic writer based in Berlin, knows how tricky it can be to navigate party spaces while menstruating – especially while managing endometriosis.
“I was scheduled to go to Insomnia with some friends … then I got my period like two days early,” she recalls. “As the day progressed, I was in so much pain and just the thought of skimpy clothing when everything feels so inflamed did not bring me joy at all.” Ornelas sometimes chooses to attend while on her period. At one private play party, she wore “some cute looking period panties”, disclosed she was menstruating, set clear boundaries and had a great time.
For her, normalising periods at sex-positive parties is about choice. “Nothing is a must,” Ornelas explains. “Some people get really horny on their period and that’s fucking fantastic. But also know that you can … just sit by a corner and watch the action unfold.” She also believes that disclosing where you are in your cycle, even if you’re not actively menstruating, can open up crucial conversations around contraception and pleasure: “That’s relevant information, right?”
There isn’t one standard for period sex at parties, but mess-free play is one option. Emilian, a sex worker in Berlin, recommends menstrual sponges. “I never had any clients telling me that they felt something,” they say. “It becomes very wet inside, so it kind of mimics the texture of a vagina.” However, removing a sponge can be tricky. “Needing someone’s help the first time is actually a common story,” Emilian recalls. Their advice: put your leg up and hook your finger while pulling the sponge down – or ask someone you trust for help during your first attempt.
Keiser believes party policies should explicitly address menstruation. “If we’re moving towards more choice and period-positive environments, then what’s the harm in adding that? It’s inevitable,” she says. “It would make people feel a lot more safe and comfortable to know that their experiences are seen in the policy.”
That includes clear hygiene protocols, access to supplies and normalising conversations around periods during event check-ins. “If it’s going to be a sex-positive event, there should be care,” Keiser adds. “Not just an awareness team, but something like a hygiene team, too.”
Some manageable practices go a long way toward making these spaces safer for everyone. Use barriers, such as condoms or dental dams, with all new partners and shared toys. Stay current with STI testing. Be transparent about any fluid-bonded partners. And if entering a shared jacuzzi while menstruating, ask first and wear a tampon, cup or disc.
Ultimately, “period friendliness needs to rest in the choice, and the respect for that choice,” says Keiser. But choice requires infrastructure: policies, supplies and visible inclusion. A truly inclusive party culture means embracing bodies at all points in their cycle – without stigma or shame.
Where to shop local
La Blutique is Germany’s first brand-independent period store, offering products, workshops, and advice. Their website can be found here.
