ASK THE DOCTOR - Sex During the Menses

Is it true that if a virgin is suffering from severe pain during her menses for a long time and she has sexual intercourse, it cures her problem? Is sex during the menses responsible for developing sexually transmitted infection?
- P.K.

ASK THE DOCTOR - Sex During the Menses

There is absolutely no truth to the rumour that sex cures menstrual pains. In fact, sex during menstruation can increase the risks of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. Menstrual blood is a rich medium/environment in which bacteria and viruses can grow very quickly. If a menstruating female has sexual intercourse with a male who has an STD, she is more likely to get infected than during other times of her monthly cycle. In addition, she is likely to get a more ‘serious’ infection when she is menstruating.

This is because the opening of the cervix (mouth of the uterus) is wider than usual so that the menstrual blood can flow out. The STD germs can travel up into the uterus and fallopian tubes and can cause an infection high up in the female reproductive system. This can result in ‘infertility’. For the male, having sex with a menstruating female is also risky. If she is infected with HIV, her menstrual blood will be rich in HIV viruses.

ASK THE DOCTOR - What is the HIV Window Period?

How important it is to get an HIV test done before marriage? What is window period?
- Anindita

ASK THE DOCTOR - What is the HIV Window Period?

People are fast becoming aware of HIV testing before marriage. However, the majority still does not know about the ‘window period’. If a person is infected with HIV, then the blood test (Elisa test for HIV antibodies) comes positive only after around three months. The initial period of three months, when the test is negative is known as the ‘Window Period’. This is a dangerous period, as it gives the false impression that a person is HIV negative, and the infected person can give the infection to others through unprotected sex. I strongly recommend two HIV tests with a gap of three months before marriage.

Besides HIV, it is also necessary to test for one more fatal disease that is transmitted sexually — Hepatitis-B. A carrier of Hepatitis-B appears healthy outwardly but could transmit the deadly disease to the partner through sexual contact. Syphilis, though fully treatable, is a dangerous sexually transmitted disease if undetected. It is particularly notorious as it plays hide-n-seek with the patient giving him/her false signals of self-recovery, while it is progressing in the body. Thus a ‘VDRL test’ or ‘TPHA test’ for syphilis is a must in all the check-ups before marriage.