Be aware of the risk of infection due to sex during menstruation & bull; hello healthy

It's important to have safe sex while you're menstruating, because you can still get or transmit sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Not all sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted the same way. Infections related to menstruation are infections that are transmitted through the blood, such as HIV. This virus can be found in the blood, and during menstruation, there will be more blood that allows sex partners to be exposed to the virus. It is possible, even if you are practicing sex properly.

Risk of sexually transmitted infections due to having sex during menstruation

Sex during menstruation can increase the risk of heterosexual HIV transmission. There will be exposure to blood during sexual intercourse. What is even more surprising is that there is evidence that menstrual sex is also associated with an increased risk of other sexually transmitted diseases.

Lauren Streicher, MD., An associate clinical lecturer in obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, says there are two reasons for this risk. "Any bodily fluids carry HIV or some other disease, and during your period, the cervix opens slightly, which allows the virus to pass through," he said. "My message to women is, you will not be safe if you do not use protection."

You may also be more susceptible to several other infections during menstruation. The vagina maintains a pH level of 3.8 to 4.5 throughout the month, according to American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). However, during menstruation, the pH level is higher than that of the blood, so that microorganisms are able to grow more rapidly.

Why is the risk of developing venereal disease higher if you have sex during menstruation?

Why does the risk of venereal disease also increase during menstrual sex, even for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that are not transmitted through blood? Here are some of the theoretical reasons:

1. The number of pathogens varies according to the menstrual cycle. This explanation makes sense, but it is not proven. In one study, the number of spread of cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is not herpes, has been shown to vary cyclically. However, the maximum spread of the virus is in the luteal phase, and it does not occur during menstruation.
2. The bloodstream acts as a carrier for viruses and other pathogens. Physiological changes during menstruation can increase a woman's susceptibility to infection. In addition, menstrual blood can also increase bacterial growth.
3. A woman's cervix opens more during menstruation. Therefore, you may be more susceptible to cervical and upper uterine infections. However, there are conflicting data on whether increased pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is associated with sex during menstruation or just before menstruation. An increase in infection may often occur a week after menstruation, but it could be that an existing infection will move up into the uterus and become a symptom of PID during menstruation. This can happen even if the sexual activity that caused the infection occurred at a later time.
4. Women who have sex during their period tend to have more sex and have more sexual partners. It can also increase the risk of venereal disease in a way that has nothing to do with menstruation. There are several studies showing that women who have sex during menstruation have a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV. However, there is also data showing that women who have sex during their period are usually more sexually active. They have sex more frequently and also have more sexual partners than women who choose to abstain from sex during menstruation. Thus, women who have sex during their menstrual period may be at a higher risk of venereal disease in general.
5. Menstrual blood exposure causes skin irritation and inflammation. This can increase susceptibility to infection. Menstrual blood can be an irritant for some people. Skin irritation can increase susceptibility to various infections. In fact, there is data that women may be more prone to vulvar skin irritation during their period.
6. Menstrual blood can also dilute the effects of natural and artificial lubricants. This can increase the risk of skin tearing and other skin damage that affects the risk of venereal disease.