Ten incredible sex myths BUSTED: From pull-out method to safety of double condoms
The world of sex has always fascinated people. But when it comes to getting answers to curiosities surrounding it, people mostly turn to the internet. Unfortunately, most information appearing on the web is not really true.
People, especially teenagers, also watch pornography to learn about sex. However, in reality, only trustworthy sites and health experts can help them to increase their understanding of sexual health and to make safe decisions. Here is a list of ten such sex myths that seem to be true, but are the biggest lies of all time.
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Pornography is similar to real-life sex
No, porn is just a fictional act that is presented in a way to excite people. Just like movies and dramas, nothing shown in porn is real. People acting in adult films are paid actors, who are instructed to do certain things to entertain the viewers. Besides, the way porn stars look is often very different from real life.
Pregnancy does not happen if you have bath sex, or if it's your first time
This is also a big myth that some people still believe in. Unprotected sex at any place, anytime can put the female at risk of getting pregnant. So, place and time do not decide if someone will get pregnant or not, but safe sex can.
Taking ‘the pill’ means you cannot contract STIs
Oral contraception cannot guarantee immunity from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Dr Sue Mann, a consultant in sexual and reproductive health and a medical expert in reproductive health at Public Health England, told Medical News Today: “Oral contraception only works to prevent pregnancy. The only way to protect yourself from getting an STI when using oral contraception is by wearing a condom.”
Besides, the CDC also says: “Birth control methods like the pill, patch, ring, and IUD are very effective at preventing pregnancy, but they do not protect against STDs and HIV.”
The ‘withdrawal method’ guarantees no pregnancy
This is also just a myth, because, before the male ejaculates, there is sperm in the pre-ejaculatory fluid that comes out during the time of erection. The so-called withdrawal method may reduce the chances, but as mentioned in a study, “condoms should continue to be used from the first moment of genital contact, although it may be that some men, less likely to leak spermatozoa in their pre-ejaculatory fluid, are able to practice coitus interruptus more successfully than others.”
Using the ‘withdrawal method’ means you cannot contract STIs
The so-called withdrawal method, also known as coitus interruptus or the pull-out method, cannot guarantee safety from an STI. Dr Mann said that one “can still get an STI, such as HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia".
Use of two condoms means no risk
Actually, the use of two condoms at a time is riskier. Dr Mann explained, “It is actually riskier to use two or more condoms when having sex. The likelihood of the condom breaking is higher due to the amount of friction the condom is enduring. A single condom is the best option.”
STIs can be contracted through toilet seats
No, one cannot contract STIs via toilet seats because as said by Dr Mann, “STIs cannot survive for long outside the human body, so they generally die quickly on surfaces like toilet seats.” The only way to get infected by STI(s) are “unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and by genital contact and sharing sex toys.”
Emergency contraception should be consumed soon the morning after sex
This is also not true. Actually, the contraceptive pills can be taken up to 5 days after unsafe sex. However, it is said the sooner one can take it, the less risk.
Condoms shouldn’t be used if someone is allergic to latex
The use of condoms is one of the safest ways to have sex. And, if someone is allergic to latex, they can use other varieties. But not using a condom at all is not a good option.
STIs are incurable
Wrong. Most of the STIs can be treated. As per The World Health Organization (WHO), “Three bacterial STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis) and one parasitic STI (trichomoniasis) are generally curable with existing, effective single-dose regimens of antibiotics.”
“For herpes and HIV, the most effective medications available are antivirals that can modulate the course of the disease, though they cannot cure the disease. For hepatitis B, antiviral medications can help to fight the virus and slow damage to the liver,” it adds.