There are a lot of misconceptions out there concerning sexual health. More and more schools are adding sexual health education to their curricula. However, it is not enough to dispel the widespread misconceptions about sexual health in Sandy Springs that many people still hold. How to catch or avoid sexually transmitted illnesses, how to sustain sexual hygiene, what promotes pregnancy and birth control choices are some of the subjects that may generate uncertainty about sexual health. Knowing more about sexual health and how to engage in physical intimacy safely and healthily is not a secret. Below, we dispel some of the most frequent misunderstandings about sexual health as you continue reading.

1. Women who use the “withdrawal technique” avoid pregnancy.

During ejaculation, the penis is dragged out of the vagina using the so-called withdrawal technique, coitus interruptus, or the pull-out method. Pregnancy may still occur even if you use the withdrawal strategy to avoid pregnancy. Pregnancy risk may be reduced when used correctly; however, this might be challenging at the moment. Aside from that, the penis releases pre-ejaculate or pre-cum, which is removed before ejaculation. This fluid may include sperm in certain situations.

2. A toilet seat may transmit an STD.

On a cold, hard surface like a toilet seat, sexually transmitted illnesses or infections cannot survive for lengthy periods. As such, the odds of getting one from someone who used the restroom before you are minimal to none since they are not present in urine (which is usually sterile).

Skin-to-skin or mouth-to-mouth contact, although seemingly innocuous, should raise your suspicions. Herpes, oral gonorrhea, and chlamydia may be transmitted by kissing (and deeper kissing can further spread oral gonorrhea and chlamydia, Dr. Yen adds).

3. If you do not get treatment for an STI, it will ultimately go away

An STI will not disappear on its own. But a straightforward course of antibiotics is all that is needed to treat and cure most STIs. Detection is critical at the earliest opportunity possible. An illness that goes untreated for an extended period might have significant health consequences. Infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and damage to essential organs are only some of the health hazards of an infection.

4. During your menstrual cycle, you cannot get pregnant.

As unusual as it is to become pregnant without a condom or other birth control method, it is nevertheless possible. Some women can be fertile while menstruation because their lengthy periods coincide with the commencement of ovulation.

If you have a short cycle (say, 21 days) and your period lasts a week, you will have a week-long period. When your menstruation is nearing its conclusion, you may get pregnant since sperm may survive in your reproductive system for up to 72 hours. Perimenopause, which is characterized by irregular periods, has been linked to the notorious late-life pregnancy. Until you have not had a period for a year, experts believe it is unsafe to stop using birth control.

If you want to make well-informed choices about your own and your partner’s health, it is critical to know what is true and not about sexual health. If you have any concerns about your sexual health, talk to your healthcare practitioner.

Pratiksha