Busting Sexual Health Myths: What You Really Need to Know

Sexual health gets talked about a lot less than it should. And when it does come up, the conversation is often filled with half-truths or flat-out misinformation. For something that affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives, you’d think we’d be better informed by now. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

So let’s clear the air. Below are some of the most common myths about sexual health, along with the facts you should actually know.

Myth 1: You Can’t Get Pregnant While on Your Period

This one gets repeated all the time, but the truth is, it’s not impossible. Less likely? Sure. But “less likely” isn’t the same as “impossible.” Sperm can stick around inside the body for up to five days, and if someone has a shorter cycle, ovulation could be right around the corner—even if they’re still bleeding.

Bottom line: If pregnancy isn’t in your plans, don’t rely on the calendar. Use protection every time.

Myth 2: You Can Spot an STD Just by Looking

Wish it were that easy. The truth is, most sexually transmitted infections don’t show any signs early on. In some cases, they never cause noticeable symptoms at all. You can’t assume someone’s clean based on how they look or feel. Even if they say they’re fine, they might not know themselves.

The only way to really know? Get tested. That goes for you and your partner—especially before stopping condom use.

Myth 3: STDs Are a “Promiscuous People” Problem

This one is just flat wrong. STDs don’t care if you’ve had one partner or twenty. If you’re sexually active, you’re at some level of risk. What matters is protection, communication, and testing—not how many people you’ve slept with.

It’s not about character; it’s about behavior. Shame and judgment don’t help anyone stay healthy.

Myth 4: Birth Control Pills Prevent STDs

Birth control pills do one thing well: prevent pregnancy. That’s it. They don’t protect against any kind of infection—HIV, herpes, chlamydia, nothing. If you’re not using a barrier method like condoms, you’re not protected from STDs.

Want to play it safe? Combine methods. Use condoms along with another form of birth control for the best of both worlds.

Myth 5: Masturbation Is Harmful or Unhealthy

This old myth just won’t die. Some people still think masturbation causes infertility, weakness, or mental issues. Science says otherwise. It’s a completely normal, healthy way to explore your body, release tension, and even sleep better at night.

Unless it’s interfering with your daily life or relationships, there’s nothing wrong with it. In fact, it can be a positive part of sexual wellness.

Myth 6: The Pull-Out Method Works Just Fine

Here’s the deal: withdrawal is better than nothing, but not by much. It’s hard to do it right every single time, and even pre-ejaculate (that fluid that comes out before ejaculation) can contain sperm. That means you can still get pregnant, even if your partner pulls out in time.

If avoiding pregnancy is the goal, look into something more reliable. There are plenty of options, from condoms to IUDs and everything in between.

Myth 7: Oral Sex Is Totally Safe

People often forget that oral sex isn’t risk-free. You can still catch or pass on infections like herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, and even HIV. Just because there’s no penetration doesn’t mean there’s no risk.

Barriers like condoms or dental dams can reduce that risk significantly. It’s all about being proactive with protection, even when things feel low-risk.

Myth 8: Sex Ed Encourages Teens to Have Sex

This one’s especially harmful. Some folks think teaching teenagers about sex will make them want to do it sooner. Research shows the exact opposite. When teens get accurate, age-appropriate information, they tend to delay having sex and are more likely to use protection when they do.

What actually leads to risky behavior is ignorance. Pretending young people won’t be curious doesn’t protect them—it just leaves them vulnerable.

Myth 9: Once You’ve Had an STD, You Can’t Get It Again

Sadly, that’s not how it works. Many STDs can come back if you’re exposed again. For example, you could be treated for chlamydia, get better, and then catch it again if your partner wasn’t treated or if you’re exposed later on.

This is why testing and treatment should always involve both partners—and why safe sex shouldn’t stop just because you’ve been treated once.

Myth 10: HPV Is a Women’s Issue

Yes, HPV is well known for causing cervical cancer in women. But it also affects men, often in ways people don’t talk about enough. In men, HPV can lead to genital warts and certain types of cancer, like throat and anal cancer.

Men can get the HPV vaccine too, and they should. It helps protect both themselves and their partners.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

There’s no shame in not knowing the facts—but there’s real risk in staying in the dark. Myths around sexual health are more than just misconceptions. They can have consequences—emotional, physical, and even long-term health ones.

Understanding your body, using protection, getting tested regularly, and having honest conversations with your partner—these things go a long way. They’re not always easy, but they’re worth it.

Sexual health isn’t just about avoiding disease or pregnancy. It’s about respect, boundaries, safety, and empowerment. The more we normalize open conversations and push past outdated myths, the better equipped we all are to make choices that serve us—not shame us.

You don’t need to know everything. You just need to be willing to learn. That’s the first step toward staying safe, confident, and in control of your own sexual health.