If this headline made you cringe, we'd venture a guess you're not alone.

Although we are making huge headway when it comes to breaking down stigmas surrounding female menstruation, for many, sex and periods are still a no-go. However, you may be surprised to learn that one third of people admit to having sex on their period, and there are actually many benefits to doing so. According to Cosmopolitan, having sex at your time of month can lead to better orgasms and can even ease the pain of cramps and other PMS symptoms. But a benefit that we thought was particularly interesting, was the fact that having sex on your period actually speeds the menstruation process up, and your period could end up a lot shorter. The site explains: "This is because orgasm increases the rate at which endometrial debris are expelled from the body, which in turn can decrease the length of your period." More sex and a shorter period? Win/win. While we couldn't really imagine doing this with a heavy flow, it could be a great way to speed things up when you're coming to the end of your flow. However, one commonly upheld belief that is in fact a myth is that you can't get pregnant while on your period. You absolutely can, so protection is still completely necessary.