Pregnancy Myths

There are many "myths" that people believe about sex and getting pregnant. Get your facts straight and be educated.

MYTH: "If I use a condom or birth control I won't get pregnant."
FACT: Most contraceptive failures result from incorrect or inconsistent use.

1 in 5 teens age 12-18 using the "pill" get pregnant within 6 months.

1 in 5 teens under 18 using condoms get pregnant within 1 year.

The only 100% effective way to avoid unplanned pregnancy is by being abstinent.

MYTH:"If I or my partner pull(s) out we won't get pregnant."
FACT:Pre-ejaculation occurs before ejaculation and liquid seeps out of the penis. Most guys have no control over it and can't feel it coming out. This does have sperm in it and can result in pregnancy.

MYTH: "If penetration only happens for a few seconds, pregnancy won't occur."
FACT: Anytime the penis comes into direct contact with the vaginal area there is the chance of pregnancy. The transmission of STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections) can also happen through any type of skin to skin contact like this.

MYTH: "Pregnancy cannot occur if a woman and a guy have 'fake' sex or dry sex." (This is when there is no penetration, but there is skin to skin contact of the genital area.)
FACT: Again, anytime the penis and the vaginal area come into contact, there is the slight risk of pregnancy and a high risk for certain STI transmission.

MYTH:"Pregnancy cannot occur if the woman does not have an orgasm."
FACT:Yes, pregnancy can occur even if a woman does not have an orgasm. An orgasm is not related to an egg being available for fertilization.

MYTH:"A woman cannot get pregnant from having sex in water."
FACT:If actual intercourse takes place in any type of water, pregnancy is definitely a possibility. This is because intercourse will allow the sperm to be directly deposited in the woman's vaginal area and the water on the outside of the body would not interfere with this.

MYTH:"Pregnancy is not possible when having anal sex."
FACT:Pregnancy cannot occur from the act of anal sex, but because the vaginal opening and the anus are very close together, there is the chance that sperm could leak into the vagina and travel to fertilize an egg.