You won't believe these strange sex myths many Aussie adults think are true!
- Replies 32
Let’s face it: many could benefit from a refresher course in sex education, and a new study has confirmed this.
Lovehoney, a sex toy retailer, has recently surveyed 1007 Australian adults, revealing some bewildering misconceptions about sex that many still believe.
From thinking that pulling out is an effective form of contraception to believing that menstrual cycles can sync when women spend time together, it’s eye-opening to discover how much adults get wrong.
The survey also found that 87 per cent of respondents believed they had a good grasp of sex education, despite only 13 per cent of people saying the sex education they received at school was satisfactory.
Furthermore, one in ten young adults aged 25-34 said they received no sex education at school.
Lovehoney’s in-house sexologist, Chantelle Otten, said these results point to a serious need for a 'radical shift' in the way Aussies approach adult sex education.
'It’s time for Australians to acknowledge the gaps in their sex-ed knowledge, embrace humility, and embark on a journey of rediscovery,' Ms Otten said.
'This is an opportunity for individuals to enrich their sexual experiences, foster healthier relationships, and contribute to a more informed society.'
So, what peculiar beliefs did the survey uncover? Here are five of the strangest sex myths many Aussie adults think are true.
Myth 1: ‘Pulling out’ is an effective form of birth control
Shockingly, over a quarter (26.3 per cent) of Aussie men surveyed believed that the 'pull out' method was an effective form of contraception.
‘Pulling out’ only works around 78 per cent of the time, so if you’re serious about family planning, it's best to opt for a more reliable option such as condoms (85 per cent effective), the pill (93 per cent effective) or the IUD (99 per cent effective).
Moreover, ‘pulling out’ doesn’t protect people from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like condoms.
Myth 2: A woman can’t get pregnant on her period
An astounding 21 per cent of men and women believed that a woman can’t become pregnant during her menstrual cycle.
In reality, while rare, it is still possible for a woman to get pregnant while on her period or shortly after it has ended. This can happen due to a number of reasons:
According to Lovehoney, 68 per cent of Aussies misidentified the vulva, the external part of the genitalia, as the vagina.
The vagina is the passage that connects the uterus to the external genitalia, whereas the vulva includes the pubic mound, labia and clitoris.
Myth 4: A penis can hit a foetus in the womb during intercourse
A shocking 11 per cent of the men surveyed believed that the penis could physically hit a foetus in the womb during intercourse.
A penis cannot come in contact with a foetus in utero as the baby is fully protected in the amniotic sac, the muscle walls of the uterus and a thick mucus plug that seals off the cervix.
Pediatrician Ari Brown explained: ‘The penis does not come in contact with the foetus during sex. This could only happen if the cervix were dilated and you were having intercourse during labour, which you shouldn’t be doing.’
However, it was noted that there are few exceptions to this, like a weakened cervix, unexplained bleeding or placenta praevia.
Myth 5: Women’s periods can 'sync up' when they spend time together
It turns out that 43.2 per cent of Aussie women surveyed believed that when women spend a lot of time together, their menstrual cycles can synchronise.
This phenomenon is known as the ‘McClintock effect’ and was originally named after researcher Martha McClintock, who claimed in her study to have found evidence of it.
However, multiple studies have shown that women’s menstrual cycles don’t sync. Period tracking apps have provided researchers with more data, and different studies from 1991-2017 have disproved this myth.
A social media user shared these myths in a video, which you can watch here:
So members, be curious. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor any questions you may have when you hear strange things about sex that you’re unfamiliar with, always look for scientific research to back up any claims, and be careful who you’re taking your information from.
Have you heard other sex myths not mentioned in this article? Let us know in the comments below.
Lovehoney, a sex toy retailer, has recently surveyed 1007 Australian adults, revealing some bewildering misconceptions about sex that many still believe.
From thinking that pulling out is an effective form of contraception to believing that menstrual cycles can sync when women spend time together, it’s eye-opening to discover how much adults get wrong.
A survey by Lovehoney found that many Aussie adults believe in several myths about sex. Credit: AndriiKoval/Shutterstock
The survey also found that 87 per cent of respondents believed they had a good grasp of sex education, despite only 13 per cent of people saying the sex education they received at school was satisfactory.
Furthermore, one in ten young adults aged 25-34 said they received no sex education at school.
Lovehoney’s in-house sexologist, Chantelle Otten, said these results point to a serious need for a 'radical shift' in the way Aussies approach adult sex education.
'It’s time for Australians to acknowledge the gaps in their sex-ed knowledge, embrace humility, and embark on a journey of rediscovery,' Ms Otten said.
'This is an opportunity for individuals to enrich their sexual experiences, foster healthier relationships, and contribute to a more informed society.'
So, what peculiar beliefs did the survey uncover? Here are five of the strangest sex myths many Aussie adults think are true.
Myth 1: ‘Pulling out’ is an effective form of birth control
Shockingly, over a quarter (26.3 per cent) of Aussie men surveyed believed that the 'pull out' method was an effective form of contraception.
‘Pulling out’ only works around 78 per cent of the time, so if you’re serious about family planning, it's best to opt for a more reliable option such as condoms (85 per cent effective), the pill (93 per cent effective) or the IUD (99 per cent effective).
Moreover, ‘pulling out’ doesn’t protect people from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like condoms.
Many adults believe that ‘pulling out’ is an effective form of birth control, according to the study. Credit: The Faces/Shutterstock
Myth 2: A woman can’t get pregnant on her period
An astounding 21 per cent of men and women believed that a woman can’t become pregnant during her menstrual cycle.
In reality, while rare, it is still possible for a woman to get pregnant while on her period or shortly after it has ended. This can happen due to a number of reasons:
- A woman believed she was on her period, but she was actually bleeding due to ovulation.
- Ovulation can occur after the woman’s period.
- Ovulation can occur within a few days after the woman’s period. Sperm can live in the woman’s body for several days, making it possible to fertilise an egg.
According to Lovehoney, 68 per cent of Aussies misidentified the vulva, the external part of the genitalia, as the vagina.
The vagina is the passage that connects the uterus to the external genitalia, whereas the vulva includes the pubic mound, labia and clitoris.
Myth 4: A penis can hit a foetus in the womb during intercourse
A shocking 11 per cent of the men surveyed believed that the penis could physically hit a foetus in the womb during intercourse.
A penis cannot come in contact with a foetus in utero as the baby is fully protected in the amniotic sac, the muscle walls of the uterus and a thick mucus plug that seals off the cervix.
The survey revealed that 11 per cent of adults believed that a penis can hit a foetus in the womb during intercourse. Credit: George Rudy/Shutterstock
Pediatrician Ari Brown explained: ‘The penis does not come in contact with the foetus during sex. This could only happen if the cervix were dilated and you were having intercourse during labour, which you shouldn’t be doing.’
However, it was noted that there are few exceptions to this, like a weakened cervix, unexplained bleeding or placenta praevia.
Myth 5: Women’s periods can 'sync up' when they spend time together
It turns out that 43.2 per cent of Aussie women surveyed believed that when women spend a lot of time together, their menstrual cycles can synchronise.
This phenomenon is known as the ‘McClintock effect’ and was originally named after researcher Martha McClintock, who claimed in her study to have found evidence of it.
However, multiple studies have shown that women’s menstrual cycles don’t sync. Period tracking apps have provided researchers with more data, and different studies from 1991-2017 have disproved this myth.
A social media user shared these myths in a video, which you can watch here:
So members, be curious. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor any questions you may have when you hear strange things about sex that you’re unfamiliar with, always look for scientific research to back up any claims, and be careful who you’re taking your information from.
Have you heard other sex myths not mentioned in this article? Let us know in the comments below.
.png){kind=icon}
