1 minutes read1 minutes readTemporary marriages are an ancient Islamic practice that enable a man and woman to become husband and wife for a specified period of time. Terms of practice vary with different beliefs. In the Middle East, these contractual relationships are becoming more popular. They allow people to engage in sexual relationships in a socially and religiously-acceptable way.
Unfortunately, this attempt to break from existing taboos around sex and relationships in the Middle East creates an increasing concern for the sexual health of those involved. In a society where sex can only be discussed within the four walls of marriage, and even then, only in whispers, the availability of sex education is sparse. The importance of protected sex is not emphasised and the possibility of spreading STIs is not known.
Different STIs can be passed from person to person in various ways, but they all have one thing is common; they are all easy to catch! From an exchange of body fluids like vaginal secretions and male ejaculate, to intimate touching and even just kissing, bacteria and viruses are always on the lookout for a new host to infect. Condoms and other barrier methods are excellent at reducing infection rates, but they are not perfect. Getting tested and knowing your status is the best way to be sure you are not passing anything on.
Those who agree to temporary marriages include men looking for extramarital relationships, and female sex workers who want to avoid arrest and prison. Lasting anywhere between one hour and ninety-nine years, temporary marriages enable a person to have multiple sexual partners. Some men take on multiple ‘wives’ for a number of hours.
Temporary marriages pose an STI risk
Whilst men are allowed to enter into multiple temporary marriages at a time, women can only have one temporary husband at a time. This can leave women with the burden of having to deal with a sexually transmitted infection caught from their one-time husband.
Since the topics of premarital sex and temporary marriages are still controversial in the Middle East, women may find it difficult to reach out to sexual health services for help. Untreated sexually transmitted infections can cause health issues such as infertility. If you are worried about any aspect of your sexual health, you should get tested as soon as possible. Speak to us in confidence.
Using condoms every time you have sex and regular STI testing is the best way to care for your sexual health. There is no way of knowing if your partner is carrying an infection as there are often no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know.
