Welcome to Gaia! ::

Note: For the record, this information was taken from the Gaian Parents Guild, with permission from the captain of that guild.
I have her permission to use the info, so please don't flame me or accuse me of stealing their information.
If you want the link to the GPG, check out the Links sticky. 3nodding

Edit 9/21: Added an article from msn.com called "The Top 10 Sex Myths". The link to it is broken up because it stretches the page otherwise, so please just copy and paste it into your address bar if you want to see the original article. smile
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Some Common Pregnancy and Contraception Myths:

This section is concerning different myths pertaining to contraception. Please read this thoroughly!

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There are a number of birth control methods that are highly effective in preventing pregnancy. There also is a lot of misinformation about how to use birth control, as well as some methods that simply do not work.

Following are some common myths regarding sex and contraception:
-=(Myths are typed in bold text while facts are typed normally.)=-


I'm breastfeeding so I can't get pregnant.
While breastfeeding tends to postpone ovulation, this is not a guarantee. Ovulation can occur even when a woman is breastfeeding. The nursing mother should use birth control if she wishes to avoid pregnancy.


You can't get pregnant if the woman doesn't have an orgasm.
Pregnancy occurs when a sperm from the man fertilizes an egg from the woman. While the man must ejaculate to release sperm, it is not necessary for the woman to have an orgasm to get pregnant. A woman of childbearing age releases an egg each month as part of her regular menstrual cycle. This occurs whether or not the woman has sex or an orgasm.


I won't get pregnant if I douche after sex.
Douching is not an effective method of contraception. After ejaculation, the sperm enter the cervix and are out of reach of any douching solution.


I don't need contraception because we only have sex during the "safe" time. You're only fertile one day a month.
Myths such as these most likely arise from a lack of understanding of the menstrual cycle. There are four major hormones (chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of cells or organs) involved in the menstrual cycle: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone. A delicate balance of these hormones regulates the release of an egg (ovulation) and, if the egg is not fertilized, menstruation. While a woman's cycle is more or less regular at most times, this balance of hormones can be disrupted by various factors, including age, stress, medications, etc. Therefore, pinpointing the time of ovulation and predicting any "safe" days can be difficult. Couples who have success with the rhythm method of contraception must carefully monitor the women's menstrual cycles and evaluate symptoms of ovulation, as well as any external factors.


I won't get pregnant if we have sex standing up or if I am on top.
Some people believe that having sex in certain positions, such as standing up, will force the sperm out of the woman's v****a. In truth, positions during sex have nothing to do with whether or not fertilization occurs. When a man ejaculates, the sperm are deposited well into the v****a. The sperm will, by nature, begin to move up through the cervical canal immediately after ejaculation.


You can use plastic wrap or a balloon if you don't have a condom.
Plastic wrap and balloons are not good to use as condoms. They don't fit well and can easily be torn during sex. Condoms are specifically made to provide a good fit and good protection during sex, and they are thoroughly tested for maximum effectiveness.


I won't get pregnant if my partner pulls out before he comes.
Pulling out before the man ejaculates, known as withdrawal, is not a foolproof method for contraception. Some ejaculate (fluid that contains sperm) may be released before the man actually begins to climax. In addition, some men may not have the willpower or be able to withdraw in time.


I won't get pregnant because this is my first time having sex.
A woman can get pregnant any time ovulation occurs, even if you've never had sex before.


I won't get pregnant if I take a shower or bath right after sex, or if I urinate right after sex.
Washing or urinating after sex will not stop semen and sperm that have already entered the uterus through the cervix.


The Pill is effective immediately after you begin taking it.
In most women, one complete menstrual cycle is needed for the hormones in the Pill (oral contraceptive) to work with the woman's natural hormones to prevent ovulation. To be effective, the Pill must be taken as directed.


(This information on contraception myths is taken directly from Web MD. It is accurate and reliable information.)

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Additional Myths:
(not taken from the GPG)

I can't get pregnant while I'm having my period.
The answer to this depends on the length of your menstrual cycles and the duration of your periods. Ovulation occurs 14 days before your next period is going to begin. For most women, this is after they have finished bleeding from the month before. If you have 28-day cycles, ovulation would be around day 14. If you have 24-day cycles, it would be around day 10.

While the egg only lives a day or two after ovulation, sperm can wait five days (and sometimes even longer) for the egg to arrive. Therefore, if ovulation was going to be on day 10, sex that occurred on day 5 might still lead to pregnancy. And some women will still be menstruating on day 5, or even day 7. So the answer is yes, one can get pregnant during menstruation, especially if you tend to have short cycles.

(Taken from: http://www.drspock.com/faq/0,1511,15467,00.html )

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If a girl is taking birth control pills and has unprotected sex during her period (reminder pills) and he ejaculates in her, she can't get pregnant?

Yes she can. Sperm can live inside the body for up to 4 days (I'd heard 72 hours, but someone corrected me on that the other day). So if you have sex while you're ovulating, and right before your period, the sperm can live inside your body long enough to swim up your Fallopian tube (as the egg is traveling down to the uterus) and you can get pregnant. I think the same thing applies if you're on your period, because if the egg is already in the uterus then the sperm don't have as far to travel.

*runs a search*

Taken from: http://www.teenwire.com/index.asp?taStrona=http://www.teenwire.com/ask/2004/as_20041103p902_pregnant.asp

Pregnancy can happen when ejaculate or pre-ejaculate gets in the v****a or on the vulva. It is possible (although rare) for a girl to get pregnant during her period, especially if her menstrual cycle is brief — less that 22 days.

The only way to be sure of a pregnancy is to take a pregnancy test. If a woman is worried that she might be pregnant, the first thing she needs to do is find out for sure if she is — by either taking a home pregnancy test or by going to a health clinic for confidential testing. Women who use home pregnancy tests need to be sure to follow exactly the directions on the package. Call 1-800-230-PLAN to schedule an appointment for a pregnancy test at a Planned Parenthood near you.

In total, a woman has a good chance of becoming pregnant from unprotected vaginal intercourse — or any sex play where semen is spilled on the vulva or inside the v****a — over the course of about seven days of her menstrual cycle — as long as six days before the release of an egg (ovulation), and, possibly, 24 hours following ovulation. Ovulation can be difficult to predict, especially in young women whose periods have not yet become regular.

Additional information for this myth:




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If two people have unprotected) sex, and about a week later she goes on her period, does she still have a chance of getting pregnant if no more sex occurs?

Yes. Sperm can live inside the body for up to 4 days (thanks Nopenname! heart ), so it would depend on her ovulation and menstruation cycles. Some women ovulate more than 1 egg at a time, or her period might come early, etc etc. When a girl gets her period, it means her body is shedding the uterine lining - so if the sperm is in a girl's body at the same time the egg is on the way to the uterus, or is already there, well... I mean chances are she could be pregnant. That's why it's best not to have unprotected sex if the people involved can't afford to raise a baby or have an abortion.


My boyfriend and I were "having fun" [dry humping, etc] and he came in his pants. The come sort of "leaked through" - can I get pregnant from that?

Chances are very very very slim that it would happen. I mean, think about it. The sperm, although there are millions (if not billions) in a typical ejaculation, they have to go through 2 layers of clothing (underwear and pants), and then through at least 2 layers of clothing on the female (underwear, pants/skirt/shorts) BEFORE even entering her v****a and going up her uterus and Fallopian tube.
So basically, as long as no sperm enters her v****a directly (through sex or fingering [if he has come on his hands and fingers the girl] ), then no she can't get pregnant.

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The Top 10 (11) Sex Myths

Taken from: http://lifestyle.sympatico.msn.ca/Home/ContentPosting_CL.aspx?contentid=c2ed6c3a2a2e43fabd413202635c1e03&show=
False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc


11. Bigger is better!
In a society that measures success with size (big house, big car), people can be worried if their body parts don't 'measure up.' Fear not! A body part's size is not related to its function. Female breasts of any size can produce milk, and any size of p***s can urinate and pleasure its owner or a partner. Most women say they need other clitoral stimulation besides the p***s to climax, anyway.

10. Simultaneous/multiple orgasm is a good sex objective
Contrary to carefully scripted Hollywood sex scenes, radio sex therapist Rhona Raskin says your orgasm is not an achievement award. Comedian Reggie Martin also has a word for simultaneous orgasm -- "coincidence." Sex is over when both people are satisfied, which may or may not include an orgasm for each.

9. Spontaneous is best
Sometimes. Sometimes this belief is used as a cover to escape responsible sexual planning (i.e. by not having condoms at hand). Sometimes scheduling in this hectic world is the only way sexual activity will happen. The sense of anticipation built up during the day (sexy phone calls or notes, getting the chores out of the way) can lead to a great encounter.

8. Sexual expectations are based on reality
No one ever tells us that only about one per cent of the population looks like models, or that sex can be awkward and messy. Expectations that are out of sync with reality and acting out fantasies can be disappointing. Fantasies don't have to consider real mechanics, real body parts, real fatigue or the diaphragm zinging across the room.

7. [u I can't get AIDS
AIDS is a disease of the general populace transmitted through the exchange of body fluids. Some groups are at higher risk than others are, but anyone can get AIDS and you can't tell by looking or listening if someone is infected. The only way to be sure is through testing and monogamy.

6. Sex = Intimacy
Sex can be a deeply intimate expression, or it can be very mechanical. Few people would view sex with a prostitute as intimate, for example, but sex may be one component in an intricate web of meaning, feelings and expression that defines an intimate relationship. Love and commitment -- not lust -- are the glue that holds a relationship together. Likewise physical affection is lovely unto itself, and not just as a prelude to sexual intercourse.

5. You can't get pregnant if it's your first time; if you douche with Coca-Cola; if you do it standing up, etc.
You have to be fairly clever (or gay) to defeat many years of refinements in the pregnancy mechanism. There is no magic day or magic way to have sex that guarantees no baby. Only methods prescribed by a doctor or labelled 'contraceptive' in the drugstore have prevention rates higher than 75 per cent.

4. Erections need 'fixing'
Erections occur for all kinds of reasons, often for purposes that have absolutely nothing to do with sex. A man's erection is not a disorder that only his partner can cure. An "achiness" in the pelvis in girls or guys that comes with arousal without orgasm will go away. No one ever died of an unresolved erection.

3. Masturbation is unhealthy
Most men and women, partnered or single, masturbate. The frequency varies with the individual: it's normal to do it and normal not to do it. It is one way to compensate for differing levels of desire. If you masturbate, you will not go blind or be affected mentally.

2. Sex is over at age...?
Aging affects sexual desire, thoughts and activity, but it doesn't mean a person's sex drive disappears. It's entirely possible to have a satisfying sexual life throughout one's lifespan. People who enjoyed sex when they were younger enjoy it when they're older too. Sometimes medical problems that are correctable can get in the way.

And (drum roll, please)...

The number 1 sexual myth is...

"If you really loved me, you'd know what I like."
The most common sexual problem couples face is poor communication about what they like sexually. ESP is a poor way of conveying those needs and desires, especially when every woman reaches orgasm differently. Most couples aren't in perfect accord about frequency either.

Douching is not healthy from what I was told from a nurse once. She told me that the body naturally does what that is intended for.

plastic wrap or balloon?! oh my

Ack!! Just the idea makes me... ew!! That would so not be worth it to me.

Ok, added! 3nodding Thanks Ink-san!

Yep, while you're ovulating and such. 3nodding If it hasn't already been added, I'll come back soon with information and add it. Thanks Itami!

That's fine, thank you I will add it to the list! 3nodding

About that. It depends. If you are taking your pills correctly, as directed and will be starting another pack after then no you actually cannot become pregnant durring the inactive pills. Most all the pill sites I went to said that as long as you were starting a new pack for the comming month/cycle and were taking your pills correctly, you could not get pregnant during the inactive week.

Otho Tri-cyclen Lo Has it here: http://www.thepill.com/birth-control-pills/faqs.html#III

As well as FPA: http://www.fpa.org.uk/guide/contracep/compill.htm#14


There were some more sites as well, but I cant find the links at the moment. sweatdrop

Your very welcome. Glad to contribute some useful information for everyone biggrin