Some Ridiculous Sex Myths Everyone Should Avoid: Know Why

Sex education is important.  It is of course not an erotica in an NCERT science book. It teaches you about your own body and the bodies of others. It teaches you to respect others’ boundaries and most importantly about STDs. And while you might think, you learn that anyway when you grow up. Well, it’s mostly rumors and myths you come across. Take a look at some of the myths that most of us thought were true about sex.

1: Everyone is doing it.
Nowadays, to have sex among the high school students become almost normal. Less than half of high school students have had sex. So if you’ve done it, you’re not alone as well as if you haven’t, that’s totally normal, too. “I know it seems like the sex talk is everywhere,” says Kris Gowen, a sex educator and author of Making Sexual Decisions. “But think about it: No one runs around telling people what they haven’t done.” So, so, so, so true — and more proof it’s important to *just do you.*

2: If you haven’t gone all the way, you don’t need to worry about STDs.
“So many people think that only certain types of sex spread STDs,” says Michelle Horejs, the associate director of youth education and training at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. “But oral sex, anal sex, vaginal sex — they all put you at risk.”

3: “Condoms feel terrible.”
Sex will not be any sort of bad for a guy just because his penis is under wraps — and the truth is, sex will be more fun for you when your brain isn’t running wild with worry. “It’s going to feel so much better if both of you are relaxed and comfortable,” says Horejs.

4: You can’t get pregnant if you have your period.
Don’t take a chance on this fake belief, which has roots in a particularly problematic thought process that is: I have my period, so I can’t be ovulating. You can bleed even if you’re not having your period — spotting is very real, and some girls tend to do it *most* when they’re super-fertile. But even scarier: “Sperm can live in the vagina for up to five days,” explains Horejs. “So if an egg is released within that time, it can be fertilized.” You can get pregnant ANY time you have sex — any position, any time of day, at any point in your cycle, etc. So birth control is always a must.

5: Yes means ALWAYS yes?
Actually…NO! “Not only is consent mandatory, but it needs to be ongoing,” says Horejs. “It’s something that can be given or taken away at any time.” Here remain very important things for your sex life. Just because you say yes to one sexual activity with someone does NOT mean you’re saying yes to any other activity, or all sexual activities. “Everyone has the right to say no — and the responsibility to respect their partner’s decision,” adds Horejs.

6: “We can’t stop! I’m going to DIE of blue balls.”
In case you’re as of yet acquainted with the term, “blue balls” is a ridic little name given to the mild pressure a man feels when he’s sexually aroused but doesn’t ejaculate.”If he doesn’t want to wait it out,” says Horejs, “he can choose to masturbate to release the pressure.” So don’t feel obligated to help. Stop where YOU want to stop and he’ll be fine. He’s just being a giant baby and trying to put that on you, which is lame.

7: Being drunk will help.
There are legit reasons why you should never drink-and-do-it: Not only does alcohol make it harder for your body to lubricate and prepare for sex (which can make it hurt) and for the guy to get it up (awkward) — it also throws your coordination totally off (use your imagination). The mechanics of it all, more or less, get messed up. So it’s a terrible idea before you even consider what it says about your state of mind. “If you need something to help you along,” says Gowen, “maybe it’s a sign that you’re not entirely comfortable with your decision.”

8: If you don’t like ___, you’re weird.
When it comes to hooking up, different people have different preferences. So let’s all be cool with that.  “Just because your last boyfriend liked to have his earlobe nibbled, don’t assume the next guy will,” says Gowen. “And in the same way, never let anyone pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do because it’s something they say you should like.”

9: Sex will save your relationship and/or make your bae love you.
Sure, sex may make an amazing relationship stronger. It can do the opposite. “We grow up getting these messages that sex brings people together,” says Gowen. “But that togetherness should really be felt before you have sex. And if it’s not felt there before, it won’t be thereafter.”