Let’s Talk About Sex BaByyy!

Correcting common myths about sex!

There are so many weird myths out there about sex which make people feel insecure, ashamed and leave them ultimately uninformed. Below we look at some of the most common sex myths and provide you with the facts!

Myth: Masturbation is bad for you.

Fact: Contrary to common belief, masturbation is actually GREAT for you! It can relieve stress, boost your mood, improves your sleep, and can show you what you like, which will enhance your sex with your partner! Sounds like a win-win to me!

Myth: Penetration is always the goal.

Fact: Penetration is an option, not the goal. Sex can look different for everyone, so experiment and find out what works best for you! Did you know in a study, only 18% of women actually orgasm to penetration alone?

Myth: The bigger the penis the better.

Fact: Porn is lying to you, bigger is not always better. As we said above only 18% of women will orgasm from penetrative sex alone. This means 82% need other stimulation, so really penis size does not matter!

Myth: Blue balls is a real and dangerous condition.

Fact: Blue balls is not a 'real' condition and not dangerous. The discomfort felt, referred to as blue balls, will subside once the erection has passed and the blood flow to the genitals returns to normal. I repeat this is not a dangerous condition and no one should ever use blue balls to coerce you into having sex.

Myth: Women don’t like sex or men like sex more.

Fact: Uhh duh women like sex, we have more than 8000 nerve endings in the tip of our clitoris which is double the number of those in a penis. The outdated idea that women don’t like sex is well, outdated and contributes to the orgasm gap between genders.

Myth: Sex should only be had with someone you love or are intimate with.

Fact: If I have to hear one more person tell me that causal sex is sinful or shameful, I will scream! Just because you do not have a series partner doesn’t mean your physical needs and desires disappear. Sex is a normal and fun act which can be had with whoever you want guaranteed it is consensual.

Myth: Vaginas get loose after multiple partners.

Fact: This myth is thrown around all the time and is completely incorrect. Vaginas are elastic and can expand and snapback similar to a rubber band. So no, your vagina will not stretch after multiple partners. Also, this myth promotes slut-shaming as it assumes vaginas get loose after multiple partners but those who sleep with one partner will have a tight vagina. UHHH incorrect, as we said your vagina is elastic and will come back to its original shape.

Myth: You can’t get STI’s if you don’t have penetrative sex.

Fact: STIs can spread from skin-to-skin contact and in bodily fluids. This means you can catch STIs from having any type of sex, such as penetrative sex, oral sex or sharing sex toys.

Myth: Using the pull-out method will stop them from getting pregnant.

Fact: This method is highly ineffective, and we recommend always using condoms as they will help prevent pregnancy and the transmissions of STI’s.

Myth: Condoms take away the feeling and pleasure of sex.

Fact: Regardless if condoms do impact the sensation and pleasure, NO ONE should ever make you feel guilty about wanting to wear a condom. Condoms are important to stay protected from STI’s and pregnancy. You have full autonomy over your body! So if they don’t want to wear a condom or try to convince you to not use one with the ‘it doesn’t feel as good’, drop them. You deserve to feel safe during sex!

Myth: Double condom = double protection.

Fact: You should only use one condom at a time as this is the safest way to use them. If you are really concerned about pregnancy, you can use two forms of contraception, for example, using a condom and also being on the pill or having the rod.

Myth: Sex is like porn.

Fact: Incorrect, porn is a completely unreliable source of sexual education and the expectation that sex is like porn is a common misconception.

Myth: Squirting is the same as pee.

Fact: Squirting is NOT pee and is simply a type of female ejaculation.

Myth: Sex is always painful the first time, this is normal.

Fact: Penetration should never hurt, not even during your first time. Dyspareunia or painful sexual penetration is a condition that affects around 14% of women. If you do experience pain during penetration, try using a different lube (make sure it's water-based!) or more lube, increase foreplay and communicate with your partner about what’s going on. You should also go to your GP because pain during sex isn’t something you have to endure!

Myth: Sex is only good if it ends in an orgasm.

Fact: Although the big O is great, it is not the only pleasurable aspect of sex. Even if sex doesn’t finish with an orgasm it can still feel amazing for both partners, so try not to put pressure on you or your partner ‘finishing’.

By Alexis Pallister