Page:Fielding - Sex and the Love Life.pdf/153

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SEX HYGIENE IN MARRIAGE
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always be considered, as repeatedly set forth in this treatise. If the sexual union is a great nervous and emotional strain on the woman, resulting in a state of exhaustion, the effects of which remain for several days, then coitus should be engaged in less frequently. In cases of this kind, it would be well for the man to learn to adjust himself to his wife's sexual requirements, so that these ill effects are avoided. Usually these nervous reactions are the result of some lack of harmony in reaching the climax, or in mental inhibitions on the part of the woman. When the husband has learned from experience, and through the insight which rational sex knowledge should give him, how to adapt himself to his wife's sexual nature, and to encourage her to a full state of responsiveness, the climax should be followed by nervous relaxation, instead of heightened tension.

Moderation is always a safe rule of conduct in any field of life's activities. In no branch is this principle more important in its application than in the realm of sex. Excesses in coitus are not only debilitating, but tend to nullify the pleasure and joy of the communion by making it a commonplace, over-indulged act.

Intercourse During Menstruation. As menstruation usually increases the sexual feeling in women, there is often brought up the question of whether intercourse may be engaged in at this time.

Sexual congress should be refrained from during these periods. In the first place it is unesthetic and unhygienic; and in the second place it is apt to lead to congestion of the uterus and other parts of the woman's genital system. Also, it may cause catarrh in the urethra of the man.

Intercourse During Pregnancy. Intercourse during pregnancy, in the opinion of the leading medical sexologists and gynecologists, is not harmful to the woman, if proper