Religious traditions and belief systems often prescribe specific periods for abstaining from certain forms of bodily gratification or pleasures. These are called religious fasting calendars. This can include sexual activities such as intercourse, masturbation, kissing, touching, and holding hands, among others.
There has been limited research exploring how following these calendars affects individuals' sexual desires, eroticism, and relational patterns within marriages. This paper will discuss the potential implications of adherence to religious fasting calendars on sexual desire, erotic expression, and marital relational patterns.
One of the most common reasons why people engage in religious fasting is that it is believed to bring them closer to God or their higher power. In Islamic tradition, fasting during Ramadan involves abstinence from food and drink from dawn until sunset. During this time, Muslims focus on prayer, reflection, charity, and meditation. According to studies, fasting may have various effects on individuals' physical health, such as lower blood sugar levels, reduced inflammation, improved cardiovascular health, and weight loss. It may also reduce stress and anxiety levels (Kassem & El-Sharkawy, 2019). The impact of fasting on sexual desire, however, remains unclear. Some studies suggest that it might suppress libido, while others find no significant effect (Mazhar et al., 2017; Khairullah et al., 2021).
The timing of fasting during the menstrual cycle may influence its effects on sexual desire. Women who are not ovulating may experience a decrease in sexual desire due to changes in hormone levels (Bellver, 2020).
Some women report an increase in sexual activity during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (the period after ovulation), which could be influenced by progesterone levels (Bellver, 2020). Fasting during this phase may thus affect sexual desire differently for these women.
Religious belief systems often encourage monogamy within marriage, where couples express their love through physical intimacy. Fasting can disrupt this intimate connection if partners follow different religious calendars or one partner is fasting while the other is not.
Muslims typically observe Ramadan during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Christians observe Lent, a season of penitence, reflection, and prayer, usually beginning around Ash Wednesday and lasting forty days until Easter Sunday (Sargeant, 2013). This means that married couples with different religious backgrounds may have to navigate differences in their fasting schedules, leading to tension or conflict.
Fasting can impact sexual expression beyond intercourse. Touching, kissing, and holding hands are also forms of intimacy that may become limited during periods of abstinence. According to studies, touch can lead to feelings of pleasure, bonding, and relaxation (Kelly, 2019). When individuals do not engage in these activities during periods of abstinence, they might experience withdrawal symptoms similar to those associated with substance addiction (Kelly, 2019). Moreover, research suggests that touch deprivation may result in increased anxiety, depression, and irritability (Kelly, 2019).
Adherence to religious fasting calendars can affect sexual desire, eroticism, and relational patterns within marriages. While some researchers suggest that it suppresses libido, others find no significant effect on sexual behavior. Fasting's timing during the menstrual cycle and its disruption of intimate connection due to different religious practices can further complicate matters. As such, more research is needed to understand how religious belief systems influence individuals' sexuality and relationships.
How does adherence to religious fasting calendars modulate sexual desire, erotic expression, and marital relational patterns?
Adherence to religious fasting calendars can have an impact on sexual desire, erotic expression, and marital relational patterns due to cultural norms that emphasize abstinence and self-control during certain periods of the year. During fasting days, individuals may experience increased levels of sexual arousal or attraction towards their spouse but refrain from acting upon them due to societal pressure or religious teachings.