Growing up without proper sex education leaves us at a disadvantage. Talking about sex, pregnancy or protection has always been considered taboo, often even amongst friend circles. Which is why there are so many myths about them - created by overactive imaginations and incomplete information. Let's bust some of them today, shall we?
Myth 1: You can't get pregnant the first time you have sex
You have just as much chance of getting pregnant the first time as the second, the third or the 100th. Probably more if you factor in that most people having sex for the first time aren't as familiar with the correct way to use condoms or any other birth control - which they ideally should be.
Myth 2: The withdrawal method works just as well as other birth control options
If done with no errors, according to WebMD, the withdrawal method has a 96% success rate. But seeing as it's a method that deals with restraint and perfect timing, most couples can't do it with zero errors. So with typical use, the success rate goes down to 75%. That means one in every four couples who use this method, in the typical (not perfect) way, can end up pregnant. Also, the withdrawal method can't be compared to all other birth control options as they don't protect you against STDs, unlike condoms.
Myth 3: You can't get pregnant if you're on your period
The chances of you getting pregnant during your period are less, yes. But it is not impossible. It is possible for all women but especially if you have irregular periods or a shorter than average cycle. It also depends a lot on when you ovulate, since there is no one fixed cycle for all women and can vary from one to another.
Myth 4: Having sex every day increases your chances of getting pregnant
If you are trying to get pregnant, having sex every day does not necessarily increase your chances of getting pregnant. The sperm can live in the female body for 72 hours, on an average. So having sex every other day, when you're ovulating, would be ideal for getting pregnant.
Myth 5: Having sex underwater prevents you from getting pregnant
Don't fall for this one. You can get pregnant if you're having unprotected sex in a pool, in a hot tub in the sea, or any other water body. There is no relation between water or it's temperature (in the case of hot tubs) to getting pregnant. There are too many myths like these floating around (no pun intended) and you shouldn't believe any of them.
Myth 6: You can only conceive if you have sex lying down
You can conceive in any position. But there are higher chances of getting pregnant if the semen stays in the female body for about 15 minutes after intercourse. Standing or sitting positions don't allow for that to happen as well as horizontal positions do, so yes, the position might have some significance but that doesn't mean you rule out the possibility altogether.
Myth 7: Being on birth controls pills for a long time can and will result in infertility
Birth control pills don't have any known effects on your fertility in the long run. You can actually get pregnant as soon as you stop using them. There is no buffer period, in case you thought it takes time for the hormones to go out of your system.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
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