Sex education enjoys and suffers
the same fate as other aspects of behaviour; from myths to advice and best
practices, one must be aware of what sex education implies.
With that in mind, we present 30
things you should know about sex. Each of these 30 points will help you
understand sex and sex education better. We begin with some common myths that
plague teenagers from the first time that they become interested in the world
of sexual encounters.
1.
'No penetration' does not mean that you are safe
from pregnancy.
Pregnancy can occur even when a
partner ejaculates or pre-ejaculates near or on your vulva. Irrespective of the
fact that you engage in vaginal sex or not, naked body contact around this
region could lead to pregnancy.
2.
You can still get pregnant if you have sex
during your menstrual cycle.
If you have vaginal sex during
your periods, you can get pregnant. Sperms have a life ranging from one day to
one week, thus meaning that a sperm could fertilise an egg when you ovulate.
Even when you are menstruating when you decide to have sex, it is a must to use
a condom, as it is the proven way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and
unwanted pregnancies.
3.
Sex while menstruating, is not harmful.
Making love during one's
menstrual cycle is in no way a harmful experience. In fact, many studies have
proved the opposite - stating that love making is much more satisfying and
pleasurable.
4.
Washing the vagina after intercourse does not
prevent pregnancy.
Even if you wash your vagina with
hot water, cold water, soap solution or shampoo solution, sperms are really
fast swimmers and can get to their set destination even before you blink your
eye. Scientifically speaking, washing your vaginal area after sex won't prevent
pregnancy. Use safe birth control methods instead.
5.
Saliva will not spread HIV.
It is very rare and one has next
to no chances of getting HIV or AIDS by kissing someone who has HIV or AIDS. It
is important to know that HIV can easily be transmitted by swallowing breast
milk or semen from an infected person; this isn't usually the case with saliva.
HIV and AIDS are two different diseases and it is mostly seen that people with
AIDS do not have the HIV in their saliva.
6.
Even if it's your first time, you can get
pregnant.
A girl can become pregnant
anytime and every time she is having sex, irrespective of the fact that it is her
first time or not. And as far as a girl's age is concerned, she is most fertile
during her teenage years, thus it is a must for her to use reliable birth
control.
7.
Genitals need constant attention for proper
hygiene.
Genitals are like any other part
of the body. They, in no way, should be considered inferior parts of your body.
Make sure you give your private parts adequate attention and ensure cleanliness
and hygiene at all times.
8.
Both genders enjoy sex.
There is no scientific evidence
supporting the general myth that men enjoy sex more than women. Perhaps
societal norms and mindsets prevent women from expressing their emotions with
respect to sex and pleasure; but, to think that women aren't designed to enjoy
sex as much as men, is incorrect and false.
9.
Not all women bleed when they have sex for the
first time.
It is not necessary for a woman
to bleed after her very first sexual intercourse. It is important to understand
that women bleed only when they break their hymen for the very first time and
not after that. And the hymen can be easily broken by any kind of rigorous
physical activity such as cycling, running or swimming. So, it is not necessary
for a virgin to bleed the very first time she has sexual intercourse.
10.
Masturbation does not cause impotence.
Don't laugh over it, if you know
the real thing, but this (sadly) is among the top rated sex myths among
teenagers. Please understand that impotence is not linked to masturbation.
Masturbation is a healthy process and has no side effects, least of all
impotence.
11.
Menopause may make sex uncomfortable.
Soon after women hit the
menopause stage, they tend to have low levels of estrogen and progesterone -
the prime sex hormones. Furthermore, this can make sexual activity
uncomfortable by leading to tiny tears in the vaginal walls. You can work your
way around lowered hormonal balance by using lubricants, indulging in lengthier
foreplay, and even some estrogen cream.
12.
Middle to old age may signify poor sexual
performance.
Your desire for sex may plummet
because of the low levels of testosterone in your body or because of age-linked
health conditions. Medically it is suggested that you should not be focused on
achieving orgasm, but you should start enjoying each other's bodies and
compatibility. Don't rely too much on unnecessary drugs and always make it a
point to talk to your doctor before starting any new medication routine, as it
may have an adverse affect on your sexual desire. Masturbating, sensual
massages, kissing, cuddling and maintaining open channels of communication are
all essential to revive your interest in sex life.
13.
Sex therapy and counseling is helpful.
If everything else fails, and you
continue experiencing a lack of sexual desire, you can always go for sex
therapy or counseling. Therapists will help you in sorting your feelings out in
detail. A counselor or therapist will help you deal with any lack of
communication, insecurities and other psychosexual issues that might be
hampering your sex life. They may also suggest additional strategies for
dealing with sex problems, besides suggesting medical treatment.
14.
A healthy lifestyle is a must.
It is never too late to work
those lethargic muscles out and feel young all over again. And, if it adds an
edge to your sexual life, they why not! Strengthen your vaginal walls and
pelvic floor muscles through Kegel exercises as it will help you in achieving
better orgasm. Please note you should not perform Kegel exercises with a full
bladder or while urinating. If done so, it can actually weaken the muscles as
well as lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder, which increases the risk of
urinary tract infection.
15.
Erectile dysfunction is treatable.
This is the biggest myth of all.
ED is indeed treatable. In fact, here are a few lifestyle tips you should keep
in mind: Check your alcohol intake, stop smoking, follow a healthy exercise and
dietary regimen and keep your diabetes under watch.
16.
It is possible for a woman to get pregnant, even
if the man pulls out.
The rhythm method, also known as
the pull out method is the worst case scenario for birth control. Men are not
always aware of when exactly the fluid is about to seep out. It is said that
one in every 5 couples, who follow this method as the only form of birth
control, gets pregnant. Are you ready to take that chance?
17.
Not everyone can or even needs to perform sexual
acts all night long for a pleasurable experience.
As with everything else in life,
sexual aptitude and sexual appetite differ from person to person. Further, if
you want to be an ace in bed, you will need to be in good shape to be able to
support that kind of physical exertion!
18.
Whether you catch an STD or not has nothing to
do with frequency of sexual intercourse.
It is not necessary to have sex
in order to come in contact with STDs. Even skin-to-skin contact is enough for
the spread of HPV virus, which in some cases can cause genital warts.
19.
Not all cases of HIV lead to AIDS.
Even though there is no sure shot
cure for HIV, there are many medications and dietary rules available by which
you can suppress the virus. Talk to your doctor in detail about it and be proactive
about strengthening your immune system.
20.
Condoms have expiry dates. You cannot use one
anytime, anywhere.
Condoms, like any other grocery
product, come with an expiry date. You can use one for three to five year. Best
is to check for its printed expiry date before use.
21.
Latex condoms and STDs/Pregnancies.
Latex condoms are good for
prevention of STDs and pregnancies. However, if one is allergic to latex
condoms you should talk in detail with your doctor and ask him to recommend you
polyurethane condoms instead.
22.
Erectile dysfunction is linked to heart disease.
Yes, in some cases it has been
linked to heart disease. In fact, erectile dysfunction can be linked to
cardiovascular diseases in whole. Studies have time and again shown that all
men who suffer from ED should get checked for heart diseases.
23.
How pregnancy affects sex
Say no to rough lovemaking. When
a mother is pregnant, her stomach is safely covered by the amniotic sac which
keeps the baby safe. However, indulging in rough lovemaking can affect the
fetus. Whenever you have the urge to make love, start by simply kissing,
hugging and continue in a gentle manner.
24.
Should one fear sex after suffering from a heart
attack?
No, one should not fear having
sex after a heart attack. After a heart attack, it takes about 3 to 4 weeks for
the heart to heal after proper treatment. After that one can resume normal
activities, including sex without fear.
A few medicines related to
cardiology may affect sexual activity, but only in a small number of patients.
If medication affects sexual activity in a particular patient that can easily
be substituted in consultation with the cardiologist.
25.
Oral sex and penetration are two separate
things.
Some people regard virginity to
be purely a question of whether they've participated in vaginal intercourse or
not - which intends that they can continue being virgins while having oral sex
and anal sex as well as other sexual experiences. If remaining a virgin is
crucial to you, then it is up to you to find out what being a virgin means to
you. Only if you've done that can you make up your mind about whether oral sex
is something you would want to have. All the same, it is crucial to keep in
mind that virginity means different things to different people.
26.
Sex assists in relieving pain.
The body releases a bonding
hormone called oxytocin, before and during orgasm. Regarded as natural opiates,
these hormones reduce the perception of pain by increasing the pain tolerance
threshold. A study by famed sexologist, Beverly Whipple states that "when
a woman masturbates to orgasm, both the pain tolerance threshold and pain
detection threshold increase "significantly by 74.6% and 106.7%
respectively." Apart from this, another natural opiate-like hormone
released during orgasm is endorphin. The prime effect of this hormone is that they
create a positive perception of the environment besides decreasing pain.
27.
Sex has positive psychological effects.
Engaging in physical intimacy
with a loved one also promotes healing at psychological levels. The feeling of
satisfaction associated with sex improves the mood and boosts self-esteem. Such
a person is able to communicate with their partner in a more intimate and
honest manner. Thus, any kind of emotional wounds may be healed and a sense of
mental well-being achieved.
28.
Sex reduces the risk of heart disease.
The American Journal of
Cardiology reported that men who made love at least twice a week were much less
likely to have heart disease than those who had sexual encounters only once a
month or less. This study conducted in over 1,000 men shows that sex appears to
have a positive effect on the male heart. However, there was not much
scientific evidence to demonstrate the full benefit of frequent intercourse on
women's heart.
29.
Sex reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
Another vital medical research
carried out to prove the beneficial effects of frequent sexual activity was in
relation to prostate cancer. A study at the US National Cancer Institute showed
how men who ejaculated through either sex or masturbation a minimum of five
times a week were less likely to get prostate cancer. The researchers said that
ejaculations help to release tension quieting the central nervous system activity
that may lead to abnormal cell division and cancer growth in the prostate.
30.
Sex eases stress and lowers blood pressure.
Orgasm has a calming effect on
people and also helps in better sleep. As intimate sex helps promote a
supporting relationship, this might help improve health through stress
reduction as well as social support.
