| Dry sex in Suriname. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 18083316 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dry sex refers to the use of plants to dry and contract the vagina, a popular practice in Africa that damages vaginal tissue and facilitates the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Here we show that dry-sex practices are not limited to Africa. Afro-Surinamese women frequently use genital steam baths that contain drying and tightening herbs. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the possible health consequences of this tradition, we quantified the diversity and trade in steam-bath ingredients and described the reasons why Surinamese women use them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected botanical vouchers of steam-bath herbs, carried out a market survey and interviewed 140 women who used these baths. RESULTS: No less than 177 different plant species were employed in vaginal steam baths, not only for dry sex, but also to cleanse the uterus after childbirth and menstruation. Prohibiting the use of these baths is not an option. Moreover, they may save lives by preventing womb infection and puerperal fever. CONCLUSIONS: The lively trade in steam-bath herbs plays a role in the rapid increase in HIV among Surinamese citizens and migrants. We also have reasons to believe that dry-sex practices are more widespread in the Caribbean than previously thought. |
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Authors:
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Tinde van Andel; Sanne de Korte; Daphne Koopmans; Joelaika Behari-Ramdas; Sofie Ruysschaert |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2007-11-09 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of ethnopharmacology Volume: 116 ISSN: 0378-8741 ISO Abbreviation: J Ethnopharmacol Publication Date: 2008 Feb |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-02-04 Completed Date: 2008-05-01 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7903310 Medline TA: J Ethnopharmacol Country: Ireland |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 84-8 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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National Herbarium of the Netherlands, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands. T.R.vanAndel@uu.ml |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Female HIV Infections / epidemiology Humans Phytotherapy* Sexual Behavior* Suriname Vagina* Women's Health* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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