When it comes to having sex, many women are brought up in taboo-ridden environments where they are completely misinformed when it comes to what goes on under the sheets, thus creating entire generations of women who have to deal with an influx of what I like to call "contraception misconceptions." Contraception misconceptions completely defeat the purpose of having protected sex! There are so many old wives tales and misinformed teenagers eager to uncover the truth, so I have put together a much needed list of 7 common misconceptions about female contraception.
Probably the most common contraception misconception amongst teenagers and inexperienced women today... what a flat out myth! Even if your best friend tells you this works, I can assure you it most certainly does not. Why? Because there is a little something that exists within the male body called pre-ejaculate, which can get you pregnant just the same as a full on ejaculation. Not to mention you’re still at risk for STDs. So do not rely on this outdated withdrawal method to protect you from getting pregnant. For one you’re putting a lot of trust in your partner and in the heat of the moment it’s not easy to pull out.
This is another complete fallacy or contraception misconception. Of course you can still get pregnant your first time, just as if you were having sex any other time. The female body and reproductive system isn’t at all connected to "popping your cherry" so use protection just as you always would.
Although it is significantly less likely that you will get pregnant while on your period, everyone’s body is different, so it is definitely a contraception misconception to rely on your menstruation cycle to prevent pregnancy. Considering all women ovulate at different times throughout the course of a one month period, you can’t count on having your period to protect you, so always use some form of contraception to avoid any conception from these misconceptions!
Within today’s media there are many publications that advocate against birth control stating that its side effects are just too risky. But in reality that’s all they really are: side effects. And side effects will come as a result of taking any prescription medicine, contraceptive related or not. Plus it has been proven that there is absolutely no correlation between taking the pill and any sort of cancerous tumors or lesions in the body. So anyone who tells you otherwise must be living their sex life according to a false contraception misconception!
Another contraception misconception! I’ve had friends try to explain to me that when they have more orgasms during sex they are convinced there is no way that they can become pregnant, while others state fervently to me that if they don’t orgasm there is no way they can become pregnant as well. These are complete contraception misconceptions! You are just as likely to become pregnant when having unprotected sex whether you orgasm 4 times or not at all.
Another old wives' tale; I once had an older women tell me if I douche with vinegar or Coca-Cola after sex I will not only tighten my vagina but prevent pregnancy completely for the next few times I have sex. This is a contraception misconception, for sure! For one thing there is no way that anyone can douche fast enough after having sex to prevent active sperm from fertilizing an egg.
Teenagers these days often pass made-up information among each other without ever seeking the truth from reliable sources when it comes to sex education. This one is such a contraception misconception I nearly burst out laughing when I first heard a young girl try to explain it to me. If anything, when you are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, you lose your inhibitions and participate in things you normally would not if you were sober. So you probably won’t remember to tell your partner to pull out, or object to him finishing inside you. Either way, being under the influence does not prevent pregnancy by any means.
These contraception misconceptions are important to be aware of and completely avoid. We can never be too careful in today’s world and it’s important to educate our young people so that they know the weight of their decisions and actions. Can you think of any misconceptions that you heard in your neighborhood growing up? Have you ever gotten pregnant or heard of someone getting pregnant while foolishly trying to use these techniques? Don’t let your conscience succumb to these contraception misconceptions!