Lack of proper sex education did a lot of us dirty. Somewhere between the barely taught sex ed class in secondary school, bad advice from friends, and very loud and wrong “tips and tricks” on social media, it’s really no surprise that a lot of sexual health myths have survived for as long as they have.
You might think these sexual health myths are harmless, but they are not. They can affect how we see our bodies, how we have sex, how we protect ourselves from STIs and unintended pregnancies, and when we seek medical help.
So, let’s separate facts from fiction and debunk some of the most common sexual health myths out there.
Myth 1: Pain During Sex Is Normal for Women
Pain during sex is common for a lot of women, but it is not normal. Sex should be pleasurable, but if penetration is regularly painful, sharp, burning, or feels like hitting a wall, then something else is going on. Common causes of painful sex include:
- Vaginal dryness
- Infections
- Vaginismus
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic floor muscle problems
- Hormonal changes
The only “reward” for suffering through painful sex is more pain, both physically and emotionally. If you constantly experience this, don’t just power through it. Get a proper evaluation with a medical professional.
Myth 2: You Can’t Get Pregnant on Your Period
While this may not be common, it is very possible, especially if you have a short menstrual cycle or irregular periods.
Ovulation is not a fixed “day 14” for everyone. If your menstrual cycle is short, for example, 21 days, your fertile window may come earlier, sometimes just days after your period ends. Since the sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days, having sex toward the end of your period can still lead to pregnancy if ovulation happens shortly after.
So, while your period is usually a “low chance of pregnancy” time, it is not a guaranteed safe zone for sex if pregnancy is something you’re trying to avoid.
Myth 3: The Pull-Out Method Always Works
This myth is as old as time. The pull-out (or withdrawal) method can be effective, but only when it’s done perfectly every single time, and real life is far from perfect.
With typical use, like maybe your partner isn’t pulling out fast enough, losing control in the heat of the moment, or sperm sneaking its way in precum (pre-ejaculatory fluid), the effectiveness drops. This is why about one in five women gets pregnant each year using the pull-out method alone.
It “always” works until one day it doesn’t, and that one time can change everything.
Myth 4: You Can’t Get STIs from Oral Sex
You absolutely can get STIs from oral sex.
Oral sex is still sex, and STIs, aka Sexually Transmitted Infections, don’t discriminate. Infections like herpes, HPV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis can be passed through oral sex, whether it’s mouth to genitals, genitals to mouth, or even mouth to mouth.
So, even though most of your clothes might be staying on and penetration isn’t happening, the risk of infection is still very real.
Myth 5: Using Two Condoms Means Double Protection
This myth might sound logical, but it’s far from it.
Wearing two condoms at once or even combining the male and female condom increases friction, and friction equals more chances of tears. So, instead of double protection, you get double the risk of everything going wrong.
The correct math is one condom worn properly = better protection, and two condoms = self-sabotage.
You can read more about common condom mistakes that could get you pregnant or give you STIs here.
Myth 6: Douching Keeps The Vagina Clean and Prevents STIs and Pregnancy
This myth deserves special recognition in the Hall of Fame of unhealthy and harmful vaginal practices.
Your vagina is a self-cleaning organ. It has its own natural ecosystem made up of good bacteria, which helps maintain the acidic pH and keeps the bad bacteria in check. When you douch by flushing your vagina with water, antiseptics, herbal mixtures, or those scented products marketed on the internet to make your vagina “smell like roses”, you kill off these healthy bacteria, throw off your vagina’s pH, and open the gates for infections like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and STIs to come in. This is another way of self-sabotage.
And no, douching doesn’t prevent pregnancy from happening. Sperm are very determined, fast swimmers. By the time you get up to go douch or “wash out” your vagina, chances are they have already entered your cervix and started their journey upwards.
Our medical advice is to stop douching. Just gently wash the outside (vulva) with mild soap and water. Don’t insert anything, including water, soaps, antiseptics, herbs, or any cleansing products marketed for vaginal hygiene into your vagina.
Myth 7: Men Can’t Get HPV
Men can get HPV, spread HPV, and get health problems from HPV.
HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus, and it is one of the most commonly transmitted STIs worldwide. There are different strains of the virus. Some strains cause genital warts, while others are high-risk and can cause different types of cancers. In men, it can cause penile cancers, in women, it can cause cervical cancers, and in both genders, it can cause throat and anal cancers.
Many men don’t have the symptoms. No warts. No pain. No warning signs. This means someone can feel perfectly fine, have HPV, and pass it on without knowing, and before it’s discovered, it’s too late. This is why HPV vaccination, safe sex practices, and regular health checks matter for everyone, not just women.
Myth 8: You Can Catch STIs From Toilet Seats
No, STIs are not gotten from toilet seats or public bathrooms.
STIs are spread through direct sexual contact. The organisms that cause STIs do not survive on toilet seats or bathroom surfaces long enough to infect anyone.
So, while public toilets might be dirty and uncomfortable, they are not the culprit behind how people get STIs like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or syphilis.
Myth 9: More Tightness = Better Sex
Better sex for who exactly? This myth has caused so much unnecessary pain.
A “very tight” vagina is often a symptom of a tense or overactive pelvic floor, not purity or superior sexual performance. It can lead to difficulty with penetration, burning or tearing sensations, and painful sex.
A healthy vagina is flexible, responsive to arousal, and pain-free. Good sex isn’t about tightness, but comfort, arousal, and relaxation.
Myth 10: You’ll Always Know If Someone Has an STI
If only STIs came with obvious warning labels.
Many STIs are silent and can exist without symptoms for months or even years. Someone can look really clean and perfect, but still have an infection.
The only reliable way to know your status (and your partner’s) is by regular testing. Trust and testing are not opposites. They actually work best together.
Final Thoughts
Good sexual health is about accurate information and making safe choices. So, save yourself a whole lot of stress by unlearning these myths. Share this article with your partner, friends, and that one internet uncle who is always giving wrong advice. The goal is to spread accurate knowledge, and not misinformation.
