Medical experts have discredited a popular myth called magun (charm) that many people believe is responsible for couples getting stuck during intercourse.
The physicians who gave detailed reasons couples get stuck during sex which they noted was a medical condition, said there was no scientific evidence to show that the occurrence was as a result of a charm or spell.
According to the experts, getting stuck during intercourse is a medical condition known as penis captivus and has nothing to do with charm.
The senior health practitioners explained that Penis captivus is an occurrence during sexual intercourse when the muscles in the vagina clamp down on the penis more firmly than usual, making it harder (or impossible) to remove the penis from the vagina.
Also, an India’s dedicated sexual wellness clinic, Allo Health, says Penis captivus is a rare and unusual sexual condition that occurs when the muscles in the vaginal wall involuntarily contract and clamp down on the penis during intercourse.
The clinic notes when this happens, the penis gets stuck in the vagina and cannot be withdrawn, saying that this condition can be a frightening and uncomfortable experience, leaving both partners feeling embarrassed and helpless.
Though the causes of penis captivus are not fully understood, the clinic added that some theories suggest that the condition could occur due to excessive contraction of the vaginal muscles during an orgasm or an accidental clamping down on the penis during sex.
Experts in the field of urology and sexology who spoke exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews maintained that it was very possible for a penis to get stuck inside a vagina during intercourse.
They urged those affected to seek help from experts as any effort to forcefully remove the penis will not only hurt them deeply but could lead to loss of lives.
The physicians regretted that the occurrence was often misinterpreted to be a trap or punishment meted out to an unfaithful wife by her husband or the gods, thereby denying those affected access to good and timely interventions.
A Consultant Family Physician at Anambra State Ministry of Health, Awka, Dr Chidumeje Okafor, who successfully separated a couple that were stuck in the state recently, speaks on the condition and how to treat such conditions.
Okafor, who also works at Iyi-Enu Teaching Hospital Ogidi, said, “Last week, a man (32) and a lady (25) were brought to the hospital in a Sienna bus and were tied together with a wrapper. They were in a sex position called spooning. The man was taking her from behind before the muscle spasm occurred.
“Muscle spasms occur when muscle involuntarily and forcibly contracts uncontrollably and can’t relax. That morning, as they were having sex, the lady achieved orgasm and sex became painful for them.
“Unfortunately, the man couldn’t withdraw his penis from the lady’s vagina when he started feeling the pains. They called a pastor who told them that the lady was married to a mermaid and it was the mermaid that used magun on her.
“Hearing that, I quickly admitted them and gave the lady a dose of anesthesia and some pain relievers. I also gave it to the man. After that, I started calming the lady down and eventually, I separated them. They were discharged almost immediately. They were victims of penis captivus.”
He continued, “Penis captivus occurs when the muscles of vagina clamp down severely on the penis, preventing the man from withdrawing. This situation is common to people with a history of vaginismus.
“This is the body’s automatic reaction to the fear of some or all types of vaginal penetration. Whenever penetration is attempted, your vaginal muscles tighten up on their own. You have no control over it.
“There are two types of vaginismus that affect young or elderly people. One affects very religious people who have never had any vagina penetration before. The other may be those who have had penetration and later stopped due to an unpleasant experience.
“Vaginismus is the risk factor for penis captivus, while vaginitis, sexual assault, infections, and endometriosis are risk factors for vaginismus.
“The muscles that are implicated in this are mostly the muscle of pelvic floor called the levator ani muscle which provides support to the pelvic visceral structures and plays an important role in urinary voiding, defecation and sexual function.”
The physician added, “These muscles are puborectalis, pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus. They are like diaphragms of the pelvic floor. The diaphragm prevents the chest organs, lungs and the heart, from falling into the abdomen. These three muscles also prevent organs of the pelvic from falling.
“So in penis captivus, these muscles contract intensely thereby preventing the penis from pulling out. When this happens, it’s advised that you don’t panic or allow anxiety to set in. Don’t be afraid, the more you try to forcefully remove it, the more it holds you down and you end up injuring yourselves. Call for help.”
Also, a Professor of Surgery and Consultant Urologist at the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Onyeanunam Ekeke, affirmed that “the condition is medical and not magun as people would say, especially the Yorubas, urging the victims to seek medical attention to save their lives.
“Penis captivus is an involuntary muscle spasm, painful contractions and tightening of the muscles wall of vagina, preventing any form of penetration, whether finger, penis or anything. These muscles contract intensely thereby preventing the penis from pulling out.”
He, however, believes that with the new cases being recorded in recent times, penis captivus would gain wide publicity to stimulate research on the topic to end the backlash that comes with it.
In a 2015 article published in European Scientific Journal which centered on magun, the authors said generically, the word magun is a Yoruba word that is fast enjoying global semantic attention particularly as it denotes mysterious phenomena by which it has generated several questions.
“Researchers have attempted to define magun as a mystical-sexual enchantment or embargo placed on a woman (usually by her husband) to check her infidelity or as a deterrent to many (men) who otherwise could have been reckless in their sexual life.
“While it appears easier to answer the question of definition or what magun is, the workings of this phenomenon have continued to spawn puzzles and inquisitiveness thus, it generates more questions and questionings”, the authors said.
By Chijioke Iremeka
