Unconsummated marriage in the Arab Islamic world: Tunisian experience

SummaryObjectiveTo identify the clinical features of unconsummated marriage (UCM) amongst couples, the etiological factors, the therapeutic approaches and to clarify the different evolutive aspects.Patients and methodsIn this retrospective study, the files of 80 consecutive couples followed for UCM between 2000 and 2010 at our andrology consultation were reviewed.ResultsThe mean age of the husbands was 36 years (22–82 years), that of the brides was 28 years (17–57 years). The average length of marriage was 14 months (range 3 months–7 years). Couples had little knowledge of sexology. The sexual dysfunctions noted were: erectile dysfunction in 40% of cases, premature ejaculation in 5%, a combination of premature ejaculation with erectile dysfunction and decreased libido in 15%, vaginismus in 12.5% and the associated causes (erectile dysfunction with vaginismus) in 27.5%. The first-line treatment was based on a sexological approach consisting of sex education and sex therapy, associated in some cases with oral drugs and as second-line treatment, sometimes intracavernous injections. After a mean follow-up of 5 months (range 1–15 months), the outcomes of treatment were: good prognosis with consummation of marriage in 57 cases (71.25%), failure with UCM in 18 cases (22.25%) and not known in five cases (6.25%).ConclusionUCM is quite frequent in the Arab Islamic world. The best treatment is prevention based on sexual education of youngsters and treatment of sexual dysfunctions for people who consult before marriage.