Rumors and myths about sex are everywhere. Between what you hear from your friends and what you see on TV, it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s false when it comes to doing the deed. But if you’re thinking about having sex, it’s important that you know the facts. Below, we’ll debunk some of the rumors guys might hear about sex, condoms, STDs and pregnancy.
You might want to check out the Thinking about having sex and A girl’s guide to sex myths fact sheets for more info.
Is having too much sex bad for you? Nope! On the other hand, you might feel a lot of pressure from your friends to be a “player.” But remember: it’s not a competition to see how many times you can have sex. Sex is about being intimate with someone you care about. If this isn’t your plan, then you might need to think about what sex means for you.
Is it possible that my penis won’t fit? The vagina is a muscle that can expand and contract. Under tension, it tightens and might need to be relaxed. The vagina can fit comfortably around the penis whatever its size. Just take your time, try to relax and use extra lubricant if you think it might help.
Is it normal to get erections often? An erection is a natural hardening of the penis that occurs when blood rushes to the area and this can sometimes happen at inconvenient times. Everyone is different, and there’s no way to tell what a “normal” amount of erections is. It’s perfectly normal to have a lot of unexpected erections when you’re younger, but because they’re uncontrollable, there’s not much you can do to prevent them. However, as you get older and your hormones settle, chances are that you’ll get unexpected erections less frequently.
Does a person who says “no” or “stop” when we are hooking up really mean “yes” or “keep going?” Some might think that the person is just playing a game or pretending to push you away but you should always believe that the person is telling the truth. A person does not need to be aggressive in stopping anything from happening, but will let you know that he or she does not want to have sex or even kiss. In all of these cases, it is your duty to stop.
Alcohol and drugs can make you think that you are both comfortable, but if you’re so drunk that you don’t know if the other person is consenting, stop. When you know that the other person is so drunk that he or she might not be capable of giving consent, don’t do it because this is rape. Sex always needs to be consensual.
Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.
