Previous studies have shown that the month of Ramadan has a negative impact on the sexual life of fasters. Sexuality during Ramadan seems monotonous, rather poor, leaving little room for foreplay, sensuality and diversification of the sexual repertoire.

To examine the socio-demographic and religious factors associated with the change in the sexual lives of fasters

A cross-sectional study was conducted among married Muslim volunteers in Tunisia. The data was collected with an anonymous self-completed questionnaire, one week before Ramadan (W-1) and the fourth week of Ramadan (W4).

We included 100 participants in this survey.The analytical study found a negative correlation between age and the frequency of coitus during Ramadan (r= -0.2, p= 0.04). The lenth of the marriage was associated with less communication about sexual satisfaction during Ramadan (P=0.01). Rural origin was associated with less tenderness (p=0.03) and shorter foreplay (p=0.03). Wearing the veil was associated with sexual abstinence in women during Ramadan (p=0.038) and not wearing it was associated with the cessation of oral sex (p=0.04). The practice of prayer was correlated to a lesser diversification of sexual positions (p=0.01) and to the withdrawal of certain sexual positions: posterior vaginal (p=0.01), lateral (p=0.02), Andromache (p=0.004).

Changes in the expression of sexuality during Ramadan are not consistent with religious dictates. These findings suggest that the perception of sexuality and its practices are motivated by tradition and culture much more than religion.

No significant relationships.

Ramadan is a holly month for Muslims. Able-bodied adults fast and abstain from sexual activities from dawn to sunset. These hasty lifestyle changes have a major impact on the sexual life of the Muslim community.

To assess the impact of Ramadan on sexual activity in a Tunisian community.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among married Muslim volunteers in Tunisia. The data was collected with an anonymous self-completed questionnaire, one week before Ramadan (W-1) and the fourth week of Ramadan (W4).

We included 100 person in this study. The sample consisted of 59 females and 41 males. The average age was 40.3 years. During Ramadan, sexual intercourse happened more often on weekends (p=0.009) and mostly during the second part of the night (p ˂0.001). Data suggest a disturbed sex life with less satisfaction about sexual life compared to W-1 (p<0.05). Monthly sexual intercourse frequency dropped from 5.76 coitus/month on W-1 to 3.27 on W 4 (p<0.05) and Duration of sex from 9.45 minutes to 6.85 minutes (p˂0.001). Couples communicated less about sex (p=0.004). Sexual abstinence was more frequent (p=0.016). Preliminaries were less performed (P=0.01) and were shorter (p˂0.001).Oral sex was less frequent as well as some sexual positions: fellatio (p=0.01) and cunnilingus (p=0.002), sexual positions of Andromache (P=0.002), posterior vaginal (P˂0.001) and lateral (P=0.001). The participants used less pornography (p=0.007).

This study demonstrated the deleterious impact of the lifestyles changes in Ramadan on the sexual life. Better sexual and religious education is recommended to prevent sexual dysfunctions.

No significant relationships.

Ramadan happens in the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. The cycle of the sun marks the beginning and the end of fasting. Its duration varies depending on the season: approximately 18 h in the summer to approximately 12 h during winter. The obligation to eat only during the night leads to an important change in the circadian rhythm There are certain psychiatric illnesses wherein people are very sensitive to this circadian disruption, bipolar disorder in particular. We know that a regulated circadian rhythm with adequate sleep are essential for symptom regulation and mood stability, with the risk of relapse or worsening symptoms. Additionally, some medications have to be maintained at a specific therapeutic index, namely lithium, a common mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder.

To review the impact of Ramadan on patients with bipolar disorder

Pubmed and Google Scholar search using the keywords Bipolar disorder, Ramadan, circadian rhythm, fasting, sleep deprivation

All physiologic parameters are influenced by the circadian rhythm, which is influenced in its turn by the food rhythm. Studies on the effects of Ramadan on mood and mental health in the general population provide contradicting evidence. The inability to take medications during the day, dehydration and other somatic changes that necessitate dosing modification may lead to psychiatric symptom exacerbation.

Patients with bipolar disorder might be particularly sensitive to circadian rhythm disturbances and could require increased monitoring of their symptoms during this month.

No significant relationships.

The goal of this study is to determine the impact of the Holy Month of Ramadan on emergency department (ED) and hospital resource utilization in comparison to the time of Hajj and the rest of the year, so as to better define future resource needs of hospitals responding to events of this large size and duration.

A retrospective chart review was conducted of electronic medical records, ED visits, and hospital admissions during Ramadan, Hajj, and all other months over a three-year period on the Hijra calendar (1438-1440) or Gregorian (2016-2019). Primary outcomes were the change in the number of ED visits, hospital admissions, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions during Ramadan in comparison to during Hajj and other months. Secondary outcomes included mortality; number of surgeries by specialty; and admissions to cardiac, respiratory, orthopedic, and neurosurgery wards.

During the three years, ED visits increased during Ramadan by 83.0%, 74.8%, and 40.3%, respectively, when compared to non-Hajj, non-Ramadan months. Hospital admissions rose by 21.05%, 50.96% and 48.22%. Combined ED and in-hospital mortality rose by 15.21%, 21.47%, and 1.39%. While there was a large increase in ICU admissions during Ramadan of 1440 (May 2019), this was not a trend seen in other years. Despite there only being two years of data for comparison, there was a trend towards increased admissions to all specialty wards. There was an average 46.69% increase in admissions to the general surgery ward during Ramadan months compared to other months, a 31.06% increase in admissions to the orthopedic surgery ward, and a 44.05% increase in admissions to the cardiac care unit.

Ramadan is associated with a significant increase in the population of Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia. Despite this study only focusing on a three-year period, and some variables with only two years of data available, it demonstrates a significant increase in ED visits, hospital admissions, and mortality during Ramadan compared to non-Hajj/non-Ramadan months. During mass gatherings of this size, it would benefit local and regional hospital systems to devote increased resources to patient care, especially to the ED, to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Ramadan, the Islamic month of daytime fasting, is observed by many pregnant Muslims. Although pregnant women are exempt, many prefer to fast. Previous research has shown long-term adverse effects on various health outcomes among the offspring, but evidence on effects on perinatal outcomes is mixed. This study investigates effects of Ramadan during pregnancy among Muslims in the Netherlands.

Data from the Perinatal Registry of the Netherlands (Perined) on all births between 2000 and 2010 to mothers recorded as Mediterranean (i.e. of Turkish/Moroccan descent, a proxy for Muslim) (n = 139,322) or as ethnically Dutch (n = 1,481,435) were used. Ramadan exposure was defined using an intention-to-treat approach as the occurrence of a Ramadan during gestation. Muslims with versus without a Ramadan occurring during gestation were compared using difference-in-differences analyses. In these multiple linear/logistic regressions, non-Muslims were additionally included in order to take out potentially remaining confounding through seasonal effects.

The occurrence of a Ramadan during pregnancy among Muslims was not associated with altered birth weight, gestational length, newborn’s sex, perinatal mortality, low Apgar, or mild congenital anomalies. Odds for severe congenital anomalies were higher among the exposed (odds ratio: 1.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 1.37), but this association became non-significant when adjusting for multiple testing.

Despite earlier research showing long-term adverse health effects of prenatal exposure to Ramadan, there seems to be little or no relation between exposure to Ramadan during pregnancy and birth outcomes.