Sex experts say this is not an isolated rural-based problem but even found in
urban settings where couples do not indulge in sex, largely due to the female
partner's reluctance to engage in sexual intercourse.
Chennai-based sexologist Dr T Kamaraj said lack of exposure to sex education
was a reason for unconsummated marriages in India and this was a troubling
social malaise as it breaks up marriages if couples do not seek proper
counselling.
"This is prevalent among five to 10 per cent of the marriage population in
India. In most cases, the female partner do not allow the male to have an
intercourse due to fear of pain," he told Bernama.
"Every day we receive about 10 to 15 cases of unconsummated marriages and this
is a serious medical problem because couple live without having sex their
entire life. This need to be corrected," said Kamaraj, who is a consultant in
Sexual and Reproductive Medicine at the Indian Institute of Sexual Medicine in
Chennai.
Despite India's progressive outlook, sex remains a taboo in the Indian society
as sex education had not reached schools or sex topics not openly discussed.
Kamaraj said girls in India remained virgin for a long time until their
marriage and they are kept in the dark about sex.
"Virginity is very important for a woman in India. It is an important tool.
They must maintain their virginity until marriage," he said.
He said unconsummated marriages were caused by vaginismus, a condition where
vagina muscles contract due to body anxiety, thus preventing male penetration,
largely due to psychological reasons.
"Vaginismus is usually due to fear of pain but traumatic events during
childhood, sexual abuse or rape, can also cause vaginismus, but this can be
treated with proper counselling and dilation of vagina," said Kamaraj, who is
also Vice-President of the Asia Oceanic Federation for Sexology.
There are about 30 to 40 sexologists in India.
