Sexual Health Myths

The world is full of myths about sexual health, and from time to time, new misinformation arises and gets added to an already very long list of myths about sexual health. We encounter most of these misconceptions during our teenage years, by the time we reach adulthood, these misbelieve are long gone. However, some myths can persist until adulthood, and if they do, they affect our daily life. Thus, it is indispensable to shoot down the widespread misbelieves about sex in flames. Therefore, here we are to debunk the most widely spread myths and prevent people from falling prey to these persistent misconceptions about sexual health. 

Misconceptions about Sexual Health

1. STIs like Herpes can transmit through a toilet seat.

In reality, Herpes is a very contagious disease, but it is highly unlikely to get it from a toilet seat because its lifetime is very short on surfaces like a toilet seat. CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) even says that it is impossible to catch Herpes from a toilet seat. 

2. Tattoo and body piercing can cause HIV.

The chances of you getting HIV from any form of body art are close to negligible. Though CDC accepts the transmission is theoretically possible. However, there is not a single HIV case due to tattoo or body piercing to date. 

3. Pap test is an STD test.

Pap smears are a test done for finding cell abnormalities in your cervix, which may lead to cervical cancer. These cell abnormalities can often arise because of an STD known as Human Papillomavirus (HPV). So, to some extent, it is possible to detect a specific STD through a Pap test. However, the Pap test can only tell about cell abnormalities, not whether or not you have HPV. 

4. Mosquitoes can cause HIV.

Mosquitoes are indeed the most dangerous animals on earth, but even they cannot spread HIV. It is because mosquitoes are immune from HIV, so they cannot get infected. And since they cannot get infected, they cannot transmit. 

5. You cannot get an STI through oral sex.

Though it is true, the chances of transmitting STIs through oral sex are less than anal and vaginal sex. However, the transfer can still occur. People can catch STIs like gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, chlamydia, and Herpes orally. 

6. It is easy to tell whether or not a person is infected with an STD.

There is no way of telling if a person has STD or not without tests because many STDs don't have symptoms. And some of these STDs can go unnoticed for years. However, even asymptotic STDs can damage human bodies. 

7. Condoms can guarantee safe sex.

Nobody can deny the fact that condoms are the best protection against STIs and unwanted pregnancy. However, even they cannot guarantee 100% safe sex, but they significantly reduce the chances of getting STIs. Condoms also have a shelf life depending on what type you purchase. Do your homework and be prepared properly.

8. HIV can only happen to gay men.

It may be the most absurd misconception of all time, and nothing can be further from the truth. HIV doesn't care about if a person is rich or poor, gay or straight; it can infect anyone. 

9. If my partner or I am on pills, the transmission of STIs is not possible.

Pills cannot protect you or your partner from contracting STIs condoms are the only protection against STIs if you are involved in vaginal or anal sex. Dams may be used to protect against STIs during oral sex.

10. STIs can transmit only through penetrative sex.

The chances of catching STIs are very less if you are not involved in penetrative sex. However, intimate skin to skin contact is enough to catch some STIs.

These were some of the sexually transmitted infections myths about sexual health. We will be back soon with another list of myths.