Blood, Boundaries, and the Dance Floor: Why Menstrual Policies Matter at Sex Parties

Berlin is world-renowned for its radical freedom, especially when it comes to nightlife and sex-positive spaces. But even in the heart of this progressive playground, some taboos remain untouched. One of the most glaring? Menstruation.

In her piece for The Berliner, writer Annique Delphine dives deep into an issue many have tiptoed around: the lack of public policies addressing menstruation in Berlin’s sex clubs and play spaces. And the silence speaks volumes. “There are no public guidelines for people who menstruate attending sex-positive venues in Berlin,” Delphine writes, noting that even well-known institutions like Kit Kat Club, OXI, Gegen, and Symbiotikka have no official stance on the topic.

This absence isn’t just about logistics—it’s about exclusion. “Not having access to menstrual care items or guidelines in these spaces contributes to the ongoing stigmatization of periods,” says Delphine. In a subculture that prides itself on body acceptance, where people are free to express their kinks and identities without judgment, ignoring the reality of menstrual cycles feels like a major contradiction. It sends a quiet but clear message: your blood, your body, your experience—it's still taboo.

Lack of menstrual accommodations isn’t just a comfort issue; it can be a health risk. “The combination of heat, physical activity, and long hours in a crowded space without proper hygiene products or waste disposal options can lead to health complications,” warns Delphine. Add to that the psychological stress of feeling unwelcome or unprepared, and it’s easy to see how something so natural can quickly become alienating.

Some spaces have taken individual initiative. Delphine notes that “while some venues provide free condoms or lube, few extend the same courtesy to tampons or pads.” And while a handful of organizers quietly offer menstrual support on request, the lack of public policies means many are left guessing—or staying home.

So we’re left with an important question: Should play spaces include menstrual policies?

If sex-positive communities want to be truly inclusive—welcoming of all bodies in all their natural states—then the answer has to be yes. Menstrual care isn’t a luxury or an afterthought. It’s a fundamental part of bodily autonomy, and it deserves the same respect and accommodation as any other part of human sexuality.