Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
13:55
Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates
Published on: January 27, 2019
Does intercourse during menses increase the risk for sexually transmitted disease?
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. drslurie@hotmail.com
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
|June 26, 2010
Summary
Sexual intercourse during menstruation is common, but may increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, it is likely not associated with a higher risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Sexual Health
Background:
- Intercourse during menses is a sexual behavior practiced by 3-30% of women.
- This behavior may influence the transmission of certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between intercourse during menses and the risk of STDs and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- To explore potential mechanisms contributing to STD risk during menses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and epidemiological data.
- Analysis of factors potentially influencing STD transmission and immune response during menstruation.
Main Results:
- Intercourse during menses is likely not associated with an increased risk for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- There is a potential for increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted disease (STD) transmission during menses.
- This susceptibility may be linked to the sexual behavior itself or a potentially hampered innate immune response.
Conclusions:
- While intercourse during menses may not increase PID risk, potential STD risks warrant consideration.
- Counseling should address both potential advantages and disadvantages of sexual activity during menstruation.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:18Trichomoniasis
Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infections in the United States. This extracellular parasite primarily colonizes the lower genitourinary tract in women—particularly the vagina—and in men, the urethra and prostate. Its structural and functional adaptations enable its survival, motility, and pathogenicity within the host environment.Structural Features and Host EntryT.
01:23Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
01:22Birth Control Methods
Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although vasectomy...
01:24Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...