Women's Sexual Health Myths
Tori Douglas on Mar 27th 2023
There are so many myths floating around about women's sexual health. Some are silly, and some are dangerous misinformation. We will try to sort out fact from fiction here on the Badd Kitty blog. So here are just a few women's sexual health myths that we can clear up for you.
- Cranberry juice for UTI
This is one that can make you sick. Cranberry juice has not been shown to effectively treat UTI. Although it has antibacterial properties, it is not a cure all for a urinary tract infection. Always see a medical care provider for a UTI, as an infection can easily get out of control and do permanent damage to your urinary tract.
- Hormonal birth control protects you from STI’s
While hormonal birth control like the pill protects you from pregnancy, they will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. To protect from STI’s, use a barrier method like a condom for penetrative sex or a dental dam for oral sex. These barrier methods will help protect you from STI’s, where hormonal birth control will only protect against pregnancy.
- I do not have an STI unless I have symptoms.
This one is dangerous. Many times, you can have a sexually transmitted infection without any noticeable symptoms. Not only does this mean the infection can go untreated, but also means you could spread it to your partner or partners before you know anything is wrong. If you are sexually active, especially with multiple partners, get tested regularly to protect yourself and those you are sexually active with.
- You can’t get pregnant on your period
While technically true, there is the possibility you can get pregnant from sex on your period. Sperm can live up to 5 days, and so could be present and ready to go when you ovulate if your cycle is short or off that month.
- Masturbation is bad
Here at Badd Kitty we sing the praises of solo sex! Orgasm has many physical and mental benefits. It can lift your mood, help with anxiety, ease menstrual cramps. We encourage you to grab your favorite toy and masturbate when the mood strikes. All those old wives tales about going blind are just uptight people who are ashamed of enjoying sex.
- Your vagina can get “worn out”
Most women have heard or even believe this myth. The vagina can stretch, or else how would women give birth? There is no evidence, however, to suggest that a penis or sex toy can stretch out the vagina. How “tight” your vagina is can be chalked up to genetics, not how many partners you have had or if you masturbate with sex toys. The feel and appearance of your genitals is all in the genes.
Myths abound about women's sexual health. Most are just left over from an age where talking about women's sexuality was taboo. Information about women's sexuality was hard to come by when it was deemed “dirty” to talk about it. We now live in an age of information. Information is powerful, so take back your power and learn all you can about yourself and your sexual health.