Lesson 4: So Many Choices, So Many Myths - Making An Informed Choice
Myths: Don't Believe Everything You Hear

My 'Top Ten' myths surrounding birth control and conception.

Myth - A girl can't get pregnant if it is her first time.
Truth – A girl is just as likely to get pregnant her first time as any other time she has sex. A girl starts ovulating when she starts menstruating, not after she starts having sex.

Myth – You won't get pregnant if you have sex during your period.
Truth – You may be less likely to get pregnant during your period, but having sex during your period does not prevent pregnancy from happening a few days later. Only 30% of women ovulate between the 10th and 17th days of their cycles, the other 70% ovulate before or after those days, including during their periods.

Myth – Having sex in the bathtub (swimming pool, lake, river, etc.) will keep you from getting pregnant.
Truth – There is nothing in the water that prevents pregnancy from happening or kills the sperm cells. The sperm cells are already inside the woman and have started their journey up through the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Myth - Douching with Coke or Pepsi right after sex will prevent pregnancy.
Truth – Douching with either of these will only create a sticky mess. Sperm swim fast! By the time the woman gets up, the sperm have already started their journey, and only the lack of ovulation, thick cervical fluid, or decreased lining of the uterus will prevent pregnancy at this point.

Myth – Jump up and down or cough really hard after sex and you won't get pregnant.
Truth – Just like using a douche, or having sex in water, these don't work. Although some of the ejaculate will 'fall out' if you jump or cough, more than enough of the sperm cells are already well on their way to the uterus for pregnancy to occur.

Myth – If the woman/man doesn't reach orgasm the woman won't get pregnant.
Truth – A woman can get pregnant whether or not she has an orgasm. The orgasm does not cause ovulation, hormones do. A man does not need to ejaculate for the woman to get pregnant. Sperm are released before ejaculation happens and can result in pregnancy.

Myth – Women need to take a break from the pill.
Truth – There is no reason for women to stop taking the pill or any other birth control method unless they want to get pregnant, are switching methods, or are no longer having sex.

Myth – Two condoms are better than one.
Truth – You should not 'double up' your condoms. Wearing two (or more) condoms at the same time actually increases the risk of them either tearing or splitting. When it comes to using condoms, one at a time is best and most effective.

Myth – Drinking Mountain Dew before or after sex kills sperm and prevents pregnancy.
Truth – Actually drinking Mountain Dew can 'excite' the sperm cells causing them to swim faster. The caffeine (and all other ingredients) in this soda does not prevent pregnancy.

Myth – If a girl has not started having periods, she can't get pregnant.
Truth – A girl can ovulate before she has her first period, which means she can get pregnant before she ever has a period.