Over the years, sexual education has become less of a taboo, although people still don’t discuss it enough. There are still lots and lots of sex myths circulating, and they can lead to serious consequences. In today’s sex guide, we will confront and debunk some of the most well-known myths. We strive to provide accurate information and empower our readers to develop a healthier understanding of their sexuality.
1. Sex Burns Calories
We’re genuinely sorry to burst this bubble, but sex can’t replace actual exercise. It seems logical for sex, a tiring physical effort, to burn many calories. The sad truth is that thirty minutes of jogging will usually burn more calories than a typical sexual encounter. It won’t feel better, though!
Of course, sex does burn calories, and the amount depends on how long and how energetically you’re moving. Unfortunately, even the most enthusiastic bedroom activities aren’t necessarily a substitute for regular exercise.
2. Full-Body Orgasms
Yes! Full-body orgasms are something that people can experience! However, they’re not guaranteed for everyone, and there isn’t one particular technique that works universally. Some people describe sensations spreading throughout their entire body rather than being concentrated in one area.
Many people will go their whole life without ever experiencing it, hence the silly sex myths around it. We even made a sex guide about how to give a full-body orgasm to a man.
The important thing is remembering that orgasms are different for everybody, and not experiencing a particular sensation doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your sex life.
3. Your First Time
There are plenty of misconceptions about “popping the cherry”, so let’s try to cover most of them. For some silly reason, people think that you can’t get pregnant on your first time, which is obviously not true.
Also, it doesn’t have to be painful. With plenty of foreplay, a gentle partner and enough lubrication, it can be a pleasant experience. Depending on the person, it can even be completely bloodless.
In fact, many women don’t bleed during their first sexual experience, and bleeding isn’t a reliable indication of virginity. Everyone’s body is different, so there’s no reason to expect the same experience as somebody else.
4. STIs Are Visible
Contrary to popular belief, you won’t necessarily be able to see if your partner is infected. While in some cases you can clearly see a rash in their pubic region, it’s not a rule.
A rash can be a simple allergic reaction, but chlamydia is often completely invisible. Many sexually transmitted infections don’t cause noticeable symptoms, meaning someone can have an infection without even knowing it.
That’s why appearances aren’t a reliable way of judging someone’s sexual health. Testing is the only way to know for sure whether you have an STI.
5. Oral Sex Doesn’t Spread STIs
You may have heard it a couple of times, hopefully haven’t actually believed it, but the popular take is that oral sex doesn’t transmit STIs. This is a very dangerous misconception.
Unprotected oral sex can lead to unpleasant consequences, regardless of whether your partner finishes or not. Infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and herpes can all be transmitted through oral sexual contact.
Although the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is much lower than through vaginal or anal intercourse, that doesn’t mean oral sex is completely free from sexual health risks.
Using condoms or dental dams can help reduce the chances of transmitting infections.
6. The G-Spot Isn’t Real
The existence of the G-spot is a controversial subject. While some studies suggest its existence, others have not found consistent evidence of a distinct anatomical structure.
We’re not here to argue, however, and we believe that certain areas can be more sensitive for some women than others. Plenty of women report experiencing pleasurable sensations from stimulation of the front vaginal wall, although not everybody responds in the same way.
If you want more tips on how to find pleasurable areas and stimulate them, head over to our sex guide about female orgasms.
7. Morning-After Pills
If you forgot about contraception or the condom broke, you probably will opt for the next best thing — the morning-after pill.
Don’t worry, the name is misleading in that case. You don’t necessarily have to pull off stunts straight from Mission Impossible to get the pill within 24 hours!
In reality, certain emergency contraceptive pills can be taken up to five days after unprotected intercourse. However, this depends on the type. Levonorgestrel pills, such as Levonelle, should be taken within three days, while ulipristal acetate, such as ellaOne, can be taken within five days.
There’s also the copper IUD, which can be fitted as emergency contraception and is the most effective option.
The important thing to remember is that emergency contraception generally works better the sooner you seek help, so don’t deliberately leave it until the last moment.
8. Size Matters
As you may know from our previous sex guides, pleasing a woman doesn’t simply come down to penis size.
This is one of the oldest sex myths, and one that has a very negative impact on men’s mental health. Not only is bigger not automatically better, but gentlemen who are particularly well-endowed may have more problems finding comfortable positions for their partners.
Of course, personal preferences vary, but there’s much more to sexual satisfaction than a few extra inches. Communication, confidence and understanding what your partner enjoys can make a much bigger difference.
We’ve discussed this subject in more detail in our sex guide about whether penis size really matters.
9. HIV
HIV is still a taboo subject, and because of that, plenty of people are uneducated on the matter.
First of all, anyone can acquire HIV, not only gay men. This is why everyone should be aware of sexual health risks and take appropriate precautions.
HIV can be transmitted through certain bodily fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids and rectal fluids, but not through ordinary contact with saliva, tears or urine.
It’s absolutely safe to hug, kiss or live with someone who has HIV. The virus isn’t transmitted through everyday contact, sharing food or simply being close to another person.
Another important fact is that modern HIV treatments are extremely effective. Someone living with HIV who takes effective medication and maintains an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually. This is known as U=U, meaning Undetectable equals Untransmittable.
Of course, taking care of your sexual health is important, but HIV isn’t nearly as dangerous to everyday social contact as some people believe. There’s absolutely no reason to treat somebody differently simply because they’re living with the virus.
10. Casual Sex
The common misconception is that casual sex doesn’t involve emotions and that people who take part in it either don’t respect themselves or their chosen partner.
Reasons for engaging in this practice differ, however, and none of them automatically diminishes the experience. Plenty of people prefer casual sex to a committed relationship because it gives them freedom to be and do what they want and experiment sexually.
Getting in tune with your sexuality, your needs, preferences and boundaries is a vital part of life, and casual encounters can provide more room to do it.
There’s nothing inherently disrespectful about it, as long as both parties consent, communicate honestly and respect each other’s boundaries.
Of course, casual sex isn’t for everyone, and there’s nothing wrong with preferring a committed relationship either. It’s all about understanding what makes you happy rather than allowing other people’s opinions to dictate your love life.
11. Planned Sex
As couples get busy with work, social responsibilities or kids, they sometimes don’t have any time left for bedroom fun. Or they just fall asleep as soon as they go to bed, which may also be considered fun by some, although it’s not the subject of this discussion.
Scheduling sex into your busy life can make it seem like a responsibility and therefore significantly lower the enjoyment for some people.
On the other hand, it can also enhance the experience by allowing both partners to anticipate and prepare for the encounter. This way, you’ll also have more time to talk about your expectations and desires, effectively making your sex life more interesting.
There’s nothing wrong with putting aside some private time for your partner. Sometimes, having something naughty to look forward to can be just as exciting as a completely spontaneous encounter.
The important thing is that both partners genuinely want to spend that time together, rather than feeling pressured by a schedule.
12. Unprotected Sex
There are a lot of sex myths about unprotected penetration, so this is just the tip of the iceberg; we won’t cover them all.
Firstly, even if your partner pulls out on time, there’s a risk that his pre-cum contains sperm. Also, yes, women can get pregnant while on their period, although the likelihood varies depending on their menstrual cycle.
Others believe that underwater intercourse is free from pregnancy and STI risks, while in reality, water doesn’t provide any protection against either. Water can also wash away natural lubrication, increasing friction and potentially causing irritation or small tears.
Some of these sex myths originate from people wanting to try intercourse without protection and talking their partners into it. However, unprotected sex can carry risks of STI transmission and unintended pregnancy, regardless of whether ejaculation occurs.
The important thing is to understand the risks and make informed decisions together. Nobody should feel pressured into having unprotected sex, particularly because of misinformation about contraception or sexual health.
Final Thoughts
Debunking common sex myths and promoting comprehensive sex education is essential for a healthy sex life. Which prompts us to clear up one more harmful misconception — sex education doesn’t lead to earlier sexual activity or riskier sexual behaviour.
In fact, good sex education plays a vital role in promoting sexual health and well-being. Understanding contraception, recognising sexual health risks and learning to communicate with partners can all contribute to safer and more satisfying experiences.
We always encourage exploring one’s sexuality, as it’s an important part of human life. However, the more you understand your body, your preferences and your boundaries, the better equipped you’ll be to enjoy your sex life without unnecessary worries or misconceptions.