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.

MYTH:"Ejaculating numerous times can lessen the chance of pregnancy occurring."
FACT:The number of times ejaculation takes place does not affect the chance of pregnancy. Each ejaculation contains about 300 million sperm and only one is needed to fertilize an egg.

MYTH:"You can't get pregnant if you have sex during your period."
FACT:Sperm can remain inside the female body for a up to five days after the last day you had sex. They may fertilize the next egg released during ovulation.

MYTH: "You can't get pregnant on your first time."
FACT:Your body simply doesn't "know" whether it's your first time or not, so if you're menstruating you are a fertile woman and can get pregnant.

MYTH: "Sperm die once they reach the air, i.e. oxygen kills sperm."
FACT:Once sperm is DRY it is dead and cannot travel to fertilize an egg. But sperm can live for 3-5 days if it is in a warm, moist environment such as the cervix of a woman.

MYTH: "If the man masturbates before intercourse no sperm will release during sex."
FACT:Any time a man ejaculates sperm are released, regardless of how many times or how close together these ejaculations.

MYTH: "If the girl is on top during intercourse you can't get pregnant."
FACT:You can get pregnant in every position, anywhere.

MYTH:"Men practice effective birth control by lowering their sperm count by drinking Mountain Dew, wearing tight jeans, or smoking marijuana."
FACT:Regardless of how high or low a man's sperm count is, it only takes one sperm to unite with the egg in order for conception to occur.

MYTH:"If a woman has been on birth control or had an abortion within the last six months she cannot get pregnant."
FACT:Birth control is no longer effective the day that you go off of it and abortions do not affect the release of an egg from the ovaries which is what is needed for conception.

MYTH:"A woman can only get pregnant when she is ovulating during a few days a month."
FACT:The possibility for pregnancy exists any time or day.

MYTH:"If a woman douches or showers after sex she cannot get pregnant."
FACT:Sperm fertilize the egg in the uterus. Douching irrigates only the vagina. In addition, douching is not a healthy practice for women because it can cause infections, PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) and other problems.

MYTH:"The main sexual organs are the penis and the vagina."
FACT:The main sexual organ for both men and women is their brain.

FACT:Sexual activity places you at high risk for getting STIs. Using contraception does NOT eliminate that risk.

FACT:Teen parents are more likely than other teens to drop out of school, have additional non-marital births, be on welfare and be depressed.

FACT:Some contraceptives may even increase the risk of certain STDs.

Remember, You are responsible for your own sexual health.

Sources: American Pregnancy Association
The Medical Institute