Safe Sex Week is celebrated from February 1- 5th. Being sexually informed is very important for overall health and pleasure. Safe sex is all about caring for you and your partners’ health. The benefits of safe sex include reduced chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from vaginal, oral and anal sex and better protection from unwanted pregnancies. With all the wealth of information available, it pays to be informed.
Here are 5 myths about safe sex that you may not know.
Myth #1: Wearing two condoms at the same time promotes safer sex.
FACT #1: Two condoms do not lessen the chance of getting an STD or getting pregnant. The misleading thought is that two condoms decreases the possibility of breakage and slippage. This is a myth as wearing two condoms will actually increase the chances of damage to the condom as the friction during sex will create more heat which ultimately leads to breakage.
Myth #2: The chances of getting pregnant are low when it’s your first time having sex.
FACT #2: It does not matter if the individual is a virgin or experienced. If sexual intercourse is done without protection, there is a chance each and every time that pregnancy will occur. The best way to reduce the chances of getting pregnant is through safe sex practices.
Myth #3: If you get the HPV shot, you’re safe from cervical cancer
FACT #3: Human papillomavirus, or HPV is a very common occurrence and can lead to cervical cancer in some cases. Gardasil and Cervarix are cervical cancer vaccines that protect from the two types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that most frequently cause cervical cancer. However, these two vaccines don’t protect 30 percent of cervical cancers and other sexually transmitted infections.
Myth #4: The act of withdrawal is safe and effective
FACT #4: Not so. Sperm is often secreted before ejaculation especially during arousal so the withdrawal method is ineffective. Called pre-ejaculation, this can cause unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. It is much safer and smarter to wear a condom.
Myth #5: The morning-after pill aborts an existing pregnancy
FACT #5: Plan B, also known as the “morning after” pill, is not the same as RU-486, a pill that causes an abortion. In fact, if you take Plan B when you’re already pregnant—that is, if a fertilized egg has attached to the wall of your uterus—it doesn’t make a bit of difference.
Keep yourself informed and protected. Visit the National Family Planning Board website for more information.
