Truth and Lies
Tori Douglas on Aug 27th 2019
We live in a time where we have a tidal wave of information at our fingertips. Oddly, this has done little to stop the spread of almost as much misinformation. This seems doubly true for sexual health myths, as people still seem to get information, or more accurately misinformation, from at worst, rumors and at best, bad sources. These sources can either be online or in real life. In the spirit of education, let’s clear up some of the more common myths and misconceptions people believe about sex and sexual health.
Myth #1:
You can catch a sexually transmitted infection from a toilet seat.
Truth:
STI’s can only be transmitted through sex, either vaginal, oral, or anal, or direct skin to skin contact. The bacteria and/or viruses that cause sexually transmitted infections cannot survive for long periods outside the body and on surfaces. In general, surfaces like toilet seats have only been exposed to skin contact, and the likelihood of cross contamination is low. So, ladies, stop hovering over the toilet seat and dripping pee all over it. A visibly clean, dry toilet seat is perfectly safe.
Myth #2:
You can’t get a sexually transmitted infection from only oral sex.
Truth:
Not all STI’s are transmitted orally, but most are. The most common transmission through oral sex is herpes, and it can easliy spread from the mouth to the genital region. There does not need to be a visible or active outbreak to spread gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis orally.
Myth #3:
Douching after sex can prevent pregnancy and/or STI’s
Truth:
In all honesty, douching in general is bad for vaginal health. It causes an imbalance in the natural vaginal bacteria and can cause infections. That being said, it is an even worse idea to douche after vaginal sex to prevent pregnancy and infection. Water from a douche cannot match the speed or depth the semen enters the vagina and cervix. It will also not reach the uterus, as the sperm does very quickly. It can actually push more semen deeper into the vagina or cervix. Only use douches when medically advised as a general rule of thumb.
Myth #4:
Women who sleep around get loose vaginas, and only virgins are “tight”.
Truth:
The vagina is lined with muscle, which can expand and contract. The muscles along the walls of the vagina soften and lengthen with arousal, aiding penetration. Fear and discomfort make these muscles contract, making penetration difficult. While the vagina can and will change over time and after vaginal childbirth, penetration does not affect the “looseness” of the vaginal canal. This is a myth commonly used to shame women for sexual experience or enjoyment.
Many of these myths have been around for generations. Unfortunately, they live on, even in the age of digital information at our fingertips. Choosing to educate yourself, and choose truth over myth, will always make a difference in your sexual health and pleasure, and in that of your partners.