MYTHS
There's a lot of incorrect information out there about sex and pregnancy. Here are some common myths and some honest, factual information:
I can't get pregnant if I pee after having sex.
FALSE: During sex, if pre-cum or cum enters the vagina, there is a chance that you can get pregnant. Once the sperm are in the vagina, the only way to make sure you don't get pregnant is by taking emergency birth control (“the morning-after pill” or “Plan B”). The only way to prevent pregnancy 100% is by not having sex.
I can't get pregnant if I douche or wash out my vagina after having sex.
FALSE: Douching or forcing fluid into the vagina may actually push the sperm farther in and increase your chance of getting pregnant.
I can't get pregnant if I stand on my head or jump up and down after I have sex.
FALSE: There is no position that will prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. Once the sperm have entered the vagina, there is a chance that you could get pregnant. The only way to make sure that you don't get pregnant after you’ve had sex is by taking emergency birth control. The only way to prevent pregnancy 100% is by not having sex.
I can't get pregnant the first time I have sex.
FALSE: Any time you have sex and male fluid (pre-cum or cum) gets in or near the vagina, there is a chance you could get pregnant. It can be the first or the last time you have sex. It doesn't matter what position you are in or whether or not you or your partner has an orgasm. You can even get pregnant before you've had your first period. The only way to prevent pregnancy 100% is by not having sexI can't get pregnant if I have sex during my period.
I can't get pregnant if he pulls out.
FALSE: When a young man gets excited he can secrete some fluid (pre-ejaculate or pre-cum) before he actually ejaculates. He cannot tell when this happens. Since this fluid may contain sperm, it is possible to get pregnant even if he pulls out before he ejaculates. The pull out method also requires a lot of trust between partners. A lot of trust is placed on the man to know when to pull out and to make sure that he can pull out in the heat of the moment. For these reasons, the pull out method should only be used in a relationship with a lot of trust and communication.
I can tell if someone is a virgin.
FALSE: It is very difficult to tell if a woman is a virgin just by looking at their genitals. Some people think that if the hymen- the thin tissue that stretches partly over the vaginal opening- is perfectly intact then the woman is a virgin, but this not always the case. Women all have varying amounts of hymen tissue, and the hymen can be stretched and opened from many non-sexual activities such as riding a bike or playing certain sports.
Women who have an intact hymen may experience some pain or bleeding the first time they have vaginal intercourse. However, a lack of bleeding or pain does not necessarily mean that a woman has had vaginal intercourse before.
I can get a HIV/AIDS from kissing.
FALSE: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can not be spread through casual contact. Casual contact includes things like sharing drinking cups, utensils, combs, hugging, or touching.
HIV is only spread through four kinds of bodily fluids: semen (cum), blood, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. Activities that include risk of HIV spread are unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex; sharing needles for drug use or for self tattooing and piercing; or an HIV positive woman breast feeding a child.
HIV is not spread readily through saliva. So kissing alone will not spread HIV. However, if one of the kissing partners has a bleeding sore, bleeding gums, or a bleeding cut in their mouth the blood could potentially spread HIV.
I can't get a sexually transmitted infection from oral sex.
FALSE: Some sexually transmitted infections such as Herpes can be spread through intimate skin to skin contact. You can protect yourself by using a dental dam for oral sex. A dental dam is a think sheet of latex that can be used as a barrier for cunnilingus (oral sex on a female) and analingus (mouth to anus). You can find dental dams online or make your own by cutting a condom on one side and flattening it out.