By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
An Obstetric Gynecologist, Dr. John Bosompim, says sexual intercourse during menstruation is not only unhealthy but also an easy means of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.
Similarly, sex in menstruation does not offer absolute protection against unplanned pregnancy and has therefore advised against such practices, even though some women experience increased urge for sex during the monthly flow due to some hormonal dispositions in both sexes.
Dr. Bosompim gave the advice in Kumasi at a forum for secondary school and tertiary students ahead of this year’s commemoration of ‘World Menstrual Hygiene Day’.
“It is not safe. If want to do it at that time, you must take all the necessary precautions because your risk of getting sexually transmitted infections is higher. Let’s assume the person has hepatitis ‘B’, or HIV and doesn’t know, in the window stage. And all those are in the blood, they’re blood-borne. And at that time, the walls of the vagina can break off easily. So you can transmit the infections among yourselves easily”, Dr. Bosompim warned.
He urged educational institutions to create the most congenial environment such as special changing rooms and hygienic disposal sites for their female students during their monthly flow.
The Gynecologist advised also particularly menstruating girls in their teen ages including those at second cycle schools to stay away from the use of menstrual cups, rags, tissues, corn husk and palm fronds as absorbent during their periods since such materials are not only unhealthy but could pose serious discomfort.
Dr. Bosompim noted that there is no link between menstruation and fibroids and demystified perceptions that, a female’s inability to experience the monthly flow could be exposed to fibroid.
Also, there is no scientific proof that, any medication could melt fibroids and therefore cautioned women against false claims by herbalists who peddle concoctions they claim could dissolve fibroids.
Dr. Bosompim disclosed also that the normal menstruation period ranges between two(2) days and eight(8) days and that a female’s genetic, physiology, hereditary and hormonal disposition could greatly determine the cycle, period and flow.
The Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Professor Mrs. Rita Dickson, advocated for the elimination of all forms of barriers to dignity in menstruation.
She urged, “as we commemorate World MENSTRUAL Hygiene Day, let’s renew our commitment to this course. Let’s work hand-in-hand to eliminate any stigma, ensure access to menstrual products and build the confidence code of our girls.”
The Founder of the ‘Touching the Lives of Girls International, Nana Ama Adutwumwaa, attributed the recent national conversation demystifying menstruation in Ghana to the sustained campaign started by her NGO about seven years ago.
Commemorated on the 28th of May every year across the globe, ‘World Menstrual Hygiene Day’ is marked to create increased public awareness about menstruation as a natural and physiological occurrence in every healthy productive female from adolescent stage till menopause.
The day is also meant to educate society about the need to support females during their menstrual periods also encourage such females to adopt hygienic and healthier ways of keeping themselves and the environment.
The Kumasi pre-World Menstrual forum held at the KNUST targeted girls from selected senior high schools and students from tertiary institutions in Kumasi.
It was organized by the ‘Touching the Lives of Girls International’, a non governmental organization that exists primarily to positively affect the health of adolescent girls in the country.
Experts in Psychiatry and Industry used the forum to educate the participants on mental health and career guidance and counselling to enable them take charge of their own lives during and after school.
