How healthy is sex during menses?
| By Kemi Olatunde It is a known fact that women/ladies get a menstrual period about once a month that is during their reproductive years and according to research, there’s no need to avoid sexual activity during the period. Though period sex can be a bit messy, it is safe. And, having sex when you’re menstruating can actually offer a few advantages, including relief from menstrual cramps according to medical practitioners. Orgasms may relieve menstrual cramps. Menstrual cramps are a result of uterus contracting to release its lining. When you have an orgasm, the muscles of your uterus also contract. Then they release. That release should bring some relief from period cramps. Sex also triggers the release of chemicals called endorphins, which make you feel good. It is important to note that having sex may make periods shorter. “The biggest downside to having sex during your period is the mess. Blood can get on you, your partner, and the bedsheets, especially if you have a heavy flow. Aside from dirtying the bed, bleeding may make you feel self-conscious. Anxiety over making a mess can take some or all of the fun out of sex.” a nurse who craved anonymity told The Hope. According to a medical doctor, Dr. Tolu Ademujimi it is not healthy for men to have sex during their wives’ period because the urethral opening in the penis is an inlet for possible infections from the debris of the lining of the uterus and other chemical mediators in the menses To this end, there is the risk of passing on a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like HIV or hepatitis. These viruses live in blood, and they can spread through contact with infected menstrual blood. Using condoms every time you have sex can reduce your risk of spreading or catching an STI. “Although in terms pregnancy, a woman cannot be pregnant if she has sex during her menstruation. Because of the possible health risk especially for the man, unprotected sex during menstruation should be discouraged.” He added. Using protection will also guard you against STIs. Not only can you catch an STI during your period, but you can also more easily transmit one to your partner because viruses like HIV live in menstrual blood. A health worker at a private clinic who simply gave her name as nurse Bisi stated that even though the chances of pregnancy during unprotected menstrual sexual contact are very small, they do not completely disappear. “This is so because sperm can survive within the woman’s body for a few days and, in the case of premature ovulation (e.g., short menstrual cycle of 21 to 24 days), can cause pregnancy, which is undesirable most of the time. “Vaginal sexual intercourse during menstruation is a possible risk factor for the development of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent, chronic inflammatory gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue in sites other than the uterine cavity. In addition, endometriosis may negatively impact mental health and quality of life and for this reason, affected women may have an increased risk of developing psychological suffering as well as sexual problems due to the presence of pain.” A cleric who doesn’t want his name in print explained that the act involves the understanding of couple, adding that the man has authority to have sexual intercourse with his wife during menstruation and the wife on the other hand also has authority not to have sexual intercourse with her husband during menstruation. He said; “it’s going to be resolved by love. And love will discern the deep things of the heart and the body. And if she finds sexual relations during menstruation offensive (or he does), his inclination will be to exercise self-control and love for her sacrificially, like Christ for her sake, and really, thus, for his. And if she finds his desire for her to be very strong, she may give him that gift, or she may surprise him with some other pleasure.” In a chat with The Hope, a business woman, Mrs Taibat Sanni described the act as dirty, noting that men should be able to withdraw from their wives during the period. In a contrary opinion, an undergraduate who simply gave her name as Lade said that there is nothing wrong in having sex during period nothing that it is more enjoyable. “When there is love, there is no limitation to sex. I have done it severally with my wife and we don’t see anything wrong in that. We bond better during that time because he knows that it is a huge sacrifice. It is not easy for ladies to surrender themselves this period but I see it as sacrifice which involves love. I love my man and I can go to any length to make him happy.” A father of two, Mr Alex Dada described the act as unhealthy, noting that he wasn’t safe when he practiced it with his side chic some years back. “I feel it is not good even though I don’t know the medical angle. It is not something I want to do again because I did it once, it was a mess, in fact I was infected and it wasn’t easy to get medical attention due to the shame as my doctor knew I was married. “Apart from that, the smell is disgusting and our bodies were messed up. My girlfriend requested for it and I thought of exploring the moment. I can’t imagine it now, it is not right. Men should help women deal with it through our support due to the stress that comes with it.” According to an health page on one of the social media platforms; reproductive health corner, a medical practitioner, Dr. Ifunanya Lilian gave the following suggestions; “It’s messy. The menstrual blood can spill on the bed sheet. Use darker shades of bed sheet like purple, brown, black etcetera. “Prepare your mind and see the menstrual blood as a lubricant. “The risk of getting sexually transmitted infection is almost zero if your partner isn’t harbouring any infection. So get treated or use a condom to protect yourself. “Having sex during menstruation is not a taboo. Women are not unclean because they are menstruating. “If you are using a tampon, remember to remove it before sexual activities. The tampon can be pushed farther and you might need a Doctor to remove it for you. “You can get pregnant if you have sex during menstruation. It’s good news for women with short cycle (less than 25 days) who have been trying to conceive. You might get your problem solve by trying period sex. If you are not ready to be pregnant, remember to use protection to prevent pregnancy. You can also use other family planning methods.” A middle aged businesswoman, Mrs Cynthia Bassey frowned at the act calling it ‘dirty’. According to her; “I have never done it before but the way it sounds irritates me. I trust my husband, he will never ask for sex while I am menstruating because he is a neat man and I am sure he won’t be able to stand the whole thing. “I give kudos to those who indulge in it, I feel it will have an offensive odour and besides the manhood will be covered in blood. Not only that the couple’s bodies will be really messed up with blood. Some people said that sex during period reduces the flow of blood but irrespective of that, I can never enjoy sex during my period,” she said. |