Are you savvy about sex?
by Rebecca Perlow
12-14-2007

Sexual ignorance: it’s not just for teens anymore. False information about sex and sexuality among adults can be passed along by friends, sexual partners and even health care officials.

The perpetuation of myths concerning birth control and sexual health can make men and women vulnerable to disease, and the persistence of gender stereotypes can negatively affect social and sexual roles, both of which lead to a decline in overall health among both men and women.

With this in mind, here are nine sexual myths uncovered for the clueless adult.

Managing sexual health — including consent, contraceptive usage, mutual respect and periodic screenings — is important for both females and males.

“Sexual health is an integral part of your overall health,” Karen Omvig, vice president of education for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, said. “Learning the basics of sexual anatomy and physiology, debunking sex myths and misconceptions, and understanding how to keep yourself safe and healthy while having a great sex life is all part of developing and maintaining sexual health.”

2. “I’m in a committed relationship and I have never cheated on my partner, therefore I can never get a sexually transmitted infection.”

“Many of us believe that having only one partner exempts us from sexually transmitted infections (STIs),” Omvig said. “Unfortunately this is not the case in every relationship.”

The other partner might have cheated and could have contracted an STI from another partner. They also might have contracted one from a previous partner. To decrease your chances of getting an STI, it is important that both partners agree to use latex or polyurethane condoms consistently and correctly and only participate in sexual behaviors (i.e., vaginal, anal, oral sex) with each other.

3. Condoms don’t really protect from STIs.

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of other STIs, including gonorrhea and chlamydia. The 2001 report from National Institutes of Health (NIH) also confirmed that condoms are very effective in providing protection against HIV. An NIH review of laboratory studies also showed that condoms provide good protection against discharge diseases, such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia and trichomoniasis.

“Since half of all STIs, estimated at 18.9 million annually, occur in people under age 25,” Omvig said, “downplaying the effectiveness of condoms is illogical and dangerous.”

4. Oral sex is “safe sex.”

Not quite. Unprotected oral sex — whether performed on a male or a female — can put partners at risk for sexually transmitted infections whether they are giving or receiving oral sex.

If you choose to perform oral sex, and your partner is male, use a latex or polyurethane condom on the penis. If you choose to have oral sex, and your partner is female, use a latex barrier such as a natural rubber latex sheet, a dental dam or a cut-open condom that makes a square between your mouth and the vagina. A latex barrier reduces the risk of blood or vaginal fluids entering your mouth. Plastic food wrap also can be used as a barrier. Abstaining from all sex is still the most effective way to avoid contracting an STI.

5. “Pulling out” can lessen the chances of pregnancy.

Withdrawal is not an effective way to prevent pregnancy. Before ejaculation, all penises can leak fluid called pre-ejaculate.

“Pre-ejaculate itself does not contain sperm,” Omvig said, “but it may pick up sperm from a previous ejaculation as it passes through a man’s reproductive system and that could cause pregnancy.”

Pregnancy can happen when ejaculate or pre-ejaculate gets in the vagina or vulva. Also, both ejaculate and pre-ejaculate can carry sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV. Latex and female condoms reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

6. Condoms are “the man’s” responsibility.

“Barrier contraceptives are both the man and the woman’s responsibility,” Omvig said. “Safe sex is about being responsible for your own health. This means taking precautions during sexual activity and using latex or polyurethane condoms and dental dams to prevent the exchange of blood, semen and vaginal fluids.”

Condoms and dams help reduce the risk of getting or passing on sexually transmissible infections or HIV, and condoms also protect against pregnancy. Starting a conversation with a partner or potential partner about safe sex isn’t easy, but it’s a good idea to talk about condoms early on in any relationship.

7. Gay couples always have a “man” and a “woman.”

Not necessarily true, according to Diane Pisacreta, Associate Professor of Psychology and Women’s Studies at St. Louis Community College.

“Though there is the existence of butch and femme, there is a wide variability in the ways couples organize themselves, who’s responsible for what tasks for example, and how they relate,” Pisacreta said.

8. Bisexuals just can’t make up their minds. They’d rather sit on the fence than face the facts and come out.

Qualitative research indicates that bisexuals report their sexual attraction is less based on “gender” and more based on other qualities they find attractive.

This is a difficult issue in gay and lesbian politics, as some argue that bisexuals are actually gay but are afraid to make a claim on their true sexual orientation and will date members of the opposite sex when it is easier or more convenient.

“This thinking ignores the multiplicity and variability we can see in sexual orientation,” Pisacreta said. “It also boils sexual orientation down to the issue of identity and ignores attraction, behavior and fantasy.”

9. All women, gay or straight, want to have children.

Not true, according to Pisacreta. Not all women want to have children — in fact, many women actively choose to not have children.

“This is like saying all men are not interested in taking care of their children when in fact, many men are very interested in parenting,” Pisacreta said.

You can e-mail Rebecca Perlow at ladyjane52983@hotmail.com.

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