Myths About Safe Sex

People often become victims of myths about safe sex ... How to protect yourself?

People often become victims of myths about safe sex... How to protect yourself?

In modern society, there are many myths about sex, especially about safe sex. Such myths arise from inaccurate and incomplete knowledge of what and how things are actually going on. Word of mouth works fast and well, so half-truths and false myths about safe sex are widespread. In this article, we will talk about the most common myths about safe sex:

MYTH: It is impossible to get pregnant if you have sex during your period

Where did the popular belief come from that sex during menstruation does not lead to pregnancy? Many people think that during periods, a woman's body "tells" that she is not pregnant, she needs to get rid of the extra eggs and start the cycle again. That is, if the old cell has left the body, and the new one has not yet begun the cycle of maturation, then the sperm has nothing to fertilize.

There is actually a grain of truth to this thought, and it works in many cases. When the menstrual cycle is regular, and ovulation is easy to predict, then a woman cannot get pregnant during this period. The reason why this myth does not always work is that the sperm that entered the woman's body can be stored there for up to 7 days. If a woman has a violation of the menstrual cycle, and ovulation occurs closer to the beginning of menstruation, then the egg and sperm will most likely meet. With a normal 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs 2 weeks before the start of menstruation. Therefore, if you do not know exactly the stages of your menstrual cycle, and do not want to get pregnant, do not risk applying this myth in practice.

MYTH: Interrupted intercourse is a reliable method of contraception

Many people think that if the intercourse is interrupted in time, the sperm will not have time to get into the woman's body, and the woman will not get pregnant.

In fact, every man produces pre-ejaculate during erection, which contains a small amount of live sperm. These sperm are sufficient for pregnancy, and they are released regardless of whether intercourse has been interrupted or not. Of course, complete ejaculation increases the likelihood of pregnancy. But even a small amount of sperm fertilizes an egg.

MYTH: Condoms guarantee safe sex

Condoms can make sexual activity safer, but they don't make sex safe. For example, many young men do not know how to properly put on a condom so that it does not break. Condoms often tear, slip, or fail, so there is a high percentage of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, even when having sex with a condom.

Not only men need to know how to properly put a condom on the penis, but also women, in order to protect themselves first of all. To avoid unwanted pregnancy, it is better to use several methods of contraception in parallel.

MYTH: Anal sex does not lead to pregnancy

In reality, any sexual activity that involves ejaculation at the entrance to the vagina can result in pregnancy, including anal sex. Sperm are active and always capable of fertilization, and any ejaculation on a woman's body in the area of ​​the vaginal entrance (even on the abdomen or thigh) can lead to pregnancy.

Also, few people know that the risk of contracting some venereal diseases (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) with anal sex is much higher than with vaginal sex.

During any sexual activity (even when masturbating with a partner), you should use a condom to protect yourself.

MYTH: Oral sex is safe sex

While engaging in oral sex, it is of course impossible to get pregnant, but you can get sexually transmitted diseases. During oral sex, the fluids of the mouth and genitals come into contact, so any venereal disease can easily be transmitted from one partner to another.

MYTH: It is easy to recognize people with sexually transmitted diseases

People who are sick with venereal diseases do not look sick, they have no visible signs of the disease. Most people with venereal diseases themselves do not know that they are sick. Some venereal diseases have visible symptoms (rash, redness, itching, sores), and some diseases do not manifest themselves at all. Some diseases are not manifested in the initial stages of development, but the disease is already sexually transmitted from partner to partner.

MYTH: Venereal diseases can be contracted by sitting on the toilet, when shared with a sick person

Sexually transmitted diseases can only take root in the human body, not on the cold, unpleasant surface of the toilet seat. Moreover, pathogens of venereal diseases do not affect urine and are not contained in it. The only non-sexual contacts that can transmit venereal diseases are:

• Mouth-to-mouth contact. For example, with a kiss, you can get herpes, and with a French kiss, you can get oral gonorrhea and chlamydia.
• Skin-to-skin contact. With this contact, such diseases as acute condylomas, herpes, scabies can be transmitted.