Sexual intercourse during menstruation and the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Abstract

Introduction: Allah, exalted in might commands Muslims to abstain from sexual intercourse during menstruation describing it as filth. In spite of this divine command, people still engage in sex during menstruation while some even encourage it. The study aims at determining if there is an association between sexually transmitted infections and sexual intercourse during menstruation as well as use of condom by those who practice it.

Methodology: A total of 330 female undergraduates from Auchi polytechnic were selected using systematic random sampling and recruited for the study. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to the students and the results were entered into epi-info statistical software and analysed.

Results: Of the 330 respondents, 243 (73.6%) were sexually active while the remaining 87 (26.4%) were virgins.The Muslim respondents were 60 (18.2%). Thirty six (10.9%) of the respondents were married and 180 (54.5%) respondents have been treated for sexually transmitted infection in the past. Of the 243 respondents that were sexually active, 66 (27.2%) respondents have had sex during their menses out of which 60 (90.9%) had sexually transmitted infection which was significant (P < 0.001). Most of them were married (P < 0.001). Though more than half (63.6%) of those who had sex during menstruation used barrier contraceptive, the difference was not significant (p > 0.1).

Conclusion: There was an association between having sex during menstruation and occurrence of sexually transmitted infection (p < 0.001) and the difference between those who used barrier contraceptives and those who did not was not significant (p > 0.1).

Key Words: sex, menstruation, infections