Scientific Wisdom Behind Prohibitions: Sex during Menstruation

“وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَاءَ فِي الْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ” البقرة :222

“And they ask you about menstruation: say, “It is harmful, so keep away from women during menstruation. And do not approach them until they have become pure” (2:222). 

Sex during the monthly period of women is not only forbidden in the Qur’an, but also in the Bible. According to the Bible, a woman is considered unclean during her period and sex is forbidden (Leviticus 18:19 – 22, 24).

During the menstruation, the veins of the uterus are congested and are prone to rupture and release more blood.

The vaginal wall, usually swells during the menstruation and gets irritated by intercourse. On the other hand, the low pH of the vagina which keeps off germs rises and may allow germs introduced by the penis of man to grow more rapidly. Therefore, the vagina during the period is more liable to be infected with yeast.

In addition, because the cervix is slightly opened to allow the blood to be released, the uterus is also liable to be infected, especially with the lowered immunity of women during menstruation.

Therefore, it may be concluded that the prohibition of intercourse during the period is for our benefit.

During menstruation, the congested veins of the uterine wall rupture (left) and the blood is released through the opening of the cervix (right).