Menstruation is a normal hormonal phenomenon for every woman. This process usually continues from the age of 8/9 to the age of 50/60 in adult women. Verse 222 of Surah Baqarah declares the state of menstruation as impurity and prohibits intercourse with the wife during menstruation. The Quran forbids sexual intercourse with a woman during menstruation-
They ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a state of impurity; so keep away from women in the state of menstruation, and do not approach them until they are cleansed. And when they are cleansed, then come to them as Allah has commanded you. Truly, Allah loves those who abstain from evil and keep themselves pure. [Surah Baqarah – 2:222]
In verse 2:222, the Quran describes ‘menstruation’ as an ‘adha’ in arabic اَذًی
‘Adha (اَذًی) ‘ is a nuanced term and carries the meaning of an annoyance, harm, hurt, suffering, dirty, unclean, filthy.
According to medical science, intercourse during menstruation is unhealthy and causes various diseases. At this time, under the influence of hormones, the inner wall of the uterus (Endometrium) starts to erode and blood starts flowing from there. Many women feel abdominal pain during menstruation. The vaginal canal is a habitat of many types of bacteria.
Studies have shown that sexual intercourse during menstruation is mainly associated with two types of diseases-
1. Bacterial vaginosis
2. Sexually transmitted infection (Sexually transmitted infection- STI)
Different types of sexually transmitted infections (STI) are:
- Chlamydia
- Genital Warts
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis B
- Herpes
- HIV
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis.
- Pubic lice
Having sex during menstruation, there is always a high chance of getting these diseases. Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance. It is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge. STIs can cause long-term health problems. Some of the health complications that arise from STI include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, tubal or ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer, and perinatal or congenital infections in infants born to infected mothers. Study also shows that sexual activity during menstruation is assiciated with high risk of endometriosis. Endomteriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside the uterus — the endometrium — grows outside uterus. Sexual activity leading to orgasm during menstruation increases the retrograde menstruation, sending endometrial tissue to an abnormal sites and thus increasing the risk of endometriosis. The risk of endometriosis is approximately five times higher in women who stated they had vaginal intercourse leading to orgasm during menstruation.
Sexual intercourse during menstruation can cause fungal inflammation in the genitals of men, which is called Balanitis.
In a word, menstruation or menstrual cycle is a normal hormonal event for women, but vaginal sex during this time is very unhealthy. Amazingly, 1400 years ago the Qur’an declared sexual intercourse during menstruation as unhealthy, with which the research of medical science fully agrees.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321667#can-you-get-pregnant