5 Common Sex Myths

Myths are everywhere. And many fables surround sex and intimacy. It’s thus only natural that couples and everybody else try believing in these unsubstantiated claims regarding sexuality. But are these sexual explanations involving magical or supernatural events accurate? How frequently do people practice these sexual myths? And do these mythical claims offer sexual solutions as we are made to believe? If you want to learn more about this subject, here are the five common sex myths.

1. Some sex position prevents pregnancy

This sex lore is widespread amongst teenage girls. But nothing has prevented it from being believed by adults.

The myth claims that when you engage in sex in positions where the female's body is upright, sperm can't reach the ovary. Why? Because sperm and male ejaculation fluids apparently can't travel upstream against gravity.

If this is the case, the myth claims to become pregnant could have been challenging. Imagine all intercourse that happens like women-on-top, standing position and even sex-on-swing. Upon ejaculation, reproductive fluids can't overcome gravity and so ooze outside the female organ.

But not all couples have it in missionary or doggy style only. So why do women get pregnant?

Easy, your fluids flow up the vaginal cavity seeking the warmth and nutrients found deep inside the cervix. And more like osmosis, the release travel from an area of high concentration to low concentration areas.

According to an article on the Fertility Family website, there is currently no evidence to support the notion that sexual positions, such as the woman being on top or engaging in intercourse while standing, decrease the likelihood of conception. However, it is common sense to consider that gravity may potentially work against fertilization. It is important to note that sperm are adept swimmers and can reach the cervix shortly after ejaculation. This is why individuals can and do conceive regardless of the sexual position adopted during intercourse.

So next time you have unprotected sex, don't encourage your spouse to try jumping up and down, then assume that she won't conceive.

2. You can't get pregnant during menstruation

If you still don't believe that some styles can help you avoid impregnating women, then you better accept that you can fertilize her egg even during her periods.

The menstrual cycle is confusing for us men. But the lack of knowledge could land you in an unwanted pregnancy situation.

So understand how the menstrual cycle works. Ovulation occurs every twenty-eight or so days in most women.

About three of these days fall on menstruation days. Menstruation is when the previously released egg is discharged for the fallopian tube in readiness for a new one.

So, in reality, there is no egg, while the uterine lining, which nestles the egg to be fertilized, is also absent. This membrane is also flushed.

While most women are fertile during this phase, ovulation occurs after about 15 days. But some women experience ovulation much earlier.

On the other end, sperm can survive the periods, staying alive in a woman's body for five days. This sperm can still fertilize a freshly-released egg resulting in pregnancy.

3. You only get HIV via anal sex

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection. But did you know how it's contacted? There is a claim that you can only get this incurable disease if you perform anal sex.

This fable is wrong, though. You can get HIV through all forms of sexual intercourse and even when you don't have sex.

When you are intimate with someone infected with this virus, you can get it through kissing or oral sex if you have a mouth infection. Further, you can become infected through vaginal penetration if you have cuts or bruises on your penis.

However, according to a study published by Stanford Health Care, engaging in receptive anal sex carries a significantly higher risk of HIV infection compared to receptive vaginal sex. The research indicates that the risk of HIV transmission through receptive anal sex can be up to 18 times higher than through receptive vaginal sex. It is important to note that the act of receiving anal sex carries a higher risk than performing anal sex.

The critical media of transmission is through the exchange of body fluids. So be careful when you have wounds and cuts on your fingers, mouth, and phallus. Whichever way the contaminated fluid accesses your body, you get infected.

Thus avoid recklessness when having sex. It's vital that you take preventive measures when you engage in casual sex.

So don't believe that you are safe if you are "straight," for you can still put yourself in harm's way through ignorance.

4. Sex reduces sports performance

Sex is healthy and essential for everyone. It's hard to prove that sex reduces athletic performance, yet this myth is common.

Granted, sporting and other physically demanding activities require energy. Men are particularly competitive, and the reason for this is the presence of testosterone.

Many coaches and even athletes have thus considered accepting that one shouldn't enjoy intimacy before a competition. Why?

Because it will deplete the testosterone levels and make them uncompetitive. Others even think that the feel-good chemical released after ejaculation will erode their competitive edge.

This is just a mental aspiration. No clinical trial has established that sex indeed impacts negatively on sporting spirit. So why do you worry about it?

According to an article published on Exercise Right, the impact of sex on testosterone levels is generally minor and short-term, which suggests that it is unlikely to hinder performance either immediately or in the long run. The article states that there is limited clinical evidence available to support the notion that refraining from sexual activity or masturbation before competition has any significant effect on athletic performance, either positive or negative.

It's best to make a wise decision to help you win your sporting event. If you are too tense before the competition and want to release the vent-up emotion, have sex.

Yet, you could also desire a deserved rest after intense practice and prefer not to have sex. Still, this is just as fine.

5. Masturbation is harmful

Many people are made to believe that when a partner in a relationship self-pleasures himself, they are not satisfied sexually. Yet others misconstrue that if your partner is not attractive enough for you, you will seek pleasure elsewhere, including self-indulgence.

Sexual desires indeed vary between partners, even in long-term couples. But it's not accurate to claim that one masturbates due to dissatisfaction in the relationship.

Instead, you can self-indulge for many reasons. You do this to calm your tension, prepare yourself for penetrative sex, and practice how to last longer.

For women, in particular, masturbation is a way to explore her body. This discovery process helps to direct her partner during sex. Masturbation has been found to lower menstrual cramps and ease acute tension.

But even without proof, some people still insist on other myths. The main ones include claims that masturbation causes blindness and erectile dysfunction in men.

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6. You can’t use condoms if you are allergic

You may have sensitive skin that reacts to rubber. This allergic reaction may dissuade you from using condoms.

But the risk of not protecting yourself during intimacy far outweighs the minor inconvenience condoms bring.

Many STIs are highly infectious. Some like HIV don’t have any treatment and may change your life forever. Thus it’s better to continue using protection since it offers the best guard against these infections.

Still, you don’t have to suffer every time you have sex. And you can’t avoid romance due to your allergy.

You just have to look keenly enough to get condoms made from alternative materials. Recently, manufacturers have strived to market various forms of protection well suitable for different niches.

Flavored condoms are available for couples who enjoy scents. You could opt for ribbed or contoured condoms to increase thrusting stimulation.

Latex-free condoms are also available. You can sample these to enrich your sexual experience without enduring post-sex reactions.

7. You can tell if your partner has STI

This is a common myth that most people believe, especially young adults. But this isn’t always the case.

There are over 25 different types of STIs. Most are subtle and don’t even show any signs, yet you can contact them via sexual intercourse.

Still, you can’t prevent all STIs. Chlamydia, herpes, and HPV are some widespread STIs that are hard to detect.

Besides, these infections are located in areas where condoms don’t provide protection. Hence you may get them despite your best effort to use the rubber.

Once infected, you may spread them without knowing through the bathroom and shared towels. This is why you should get a medical checkup once a year.

Better still, anytime you change your partner, get tested before getting involved sexually. It’s only through medical assessment that you could discover these diseases.

Thus some have no cure, appropriate treatment helps to manage and control their spread.