Unconsummated marriage means that the couple never has a sexual relationship. However, studies have shown that sometimes not only the intercourse cannot be consummated on the first try, but it could also be delayed for years and even would never happen; this is called unconsummated marriage. Different physical, mental, social, and cultural factors are effective in the occurrence of this disorder, so it should be considered multi-dimensionally. Unconsummated marriage mainly is due to a lack of awareness in sexuality education, vaginismus in women or premature ejaculation/ erection problems in men.
Causes
- Psychological factors: Fear of sexual failure, rejection, or performance anxiety
- Organic factors: Vaginismus, erectile dysfunction, or premature ejaculation
- Social factors: Religious or cultural taboos against premarital sex
Impact
- Can negatively impact the couple’s overall well-being
- Can be more common in developing countries
- Can lead to infertility or pain and difficulty with intercourse
Treatment
- Sex therapy can help treat unconsummated marriage
- A therapist can perform a sexual function assessment
- A therapist can help address premarital fears, doubts, and misconceptions
Unconsummated marriage is one of the main sexual problems; it is more common in developing countries than developed countries and cultural factors are effective in intensifying this disorder. The use of a multi-dimensional approach in this study led to expedited diagnosis and treatment of vaginismus.