Unconsummated Marriage
Unconsummated marriage is an inability of the married couple to engage in a successful coitus or intercourse. Usually the newly wedded couples are suffering from unconsummated marriage. Unconsummated marriage has been one of the most common sexual problems with far reaching psychosocial consequences suffered by the married couples in Kerala and India as a whole. Unconsummated marriage cause severe marital distress, frustration, depression and anxiety for the couple. Gradually it leads to adjustment problems and hostility between the couple and may even end up in divorce. They may be ignorant and inhibited about sexuality. Sometimes either of them might have had experience of coitus with another mate, but unable to perform with the index partner. Usually in our culture husband and wife may not have any experience in penetrative intercourse before marriage.

Unconsummated marriage is also referred to as ‘honeymoon impotence’. Most of the couples are reluctant to seek immediate medical help. As the parental pressure or pressure from the family, friends and relatives mounts up for a child, they may consult a gynecologist with vague complaints. Gynecologist may find an intact hymen on examination. Most of the gynecologists advise hymenectomy (Removal of hymen by operation) and many females with unconsummated marriage may undergo hymenectomy. But it will not help most of these patients to solve their real problem. Even the attempt of gynecological examination by a little coaxing or force may aggravate the fear and worsen their problem. If the hymenectomy does not provide the couple desired recovery it often worsen their feeling of sexual inadequacy adding further distress. Unconsummated marriage is a devastating condition with grave consequences for the couples and families.

Many couples continue to suffer for several years and a few end up in divorces. At Dr. Promodu’s Institute of Sexual & Marital Health Pvt. Ltd, the oldest case of unconsummated marriage successfully treated was of 21 years duration followed by another case of 15 years and 3 months duration.  If left untreated it may persist for life long.