Module 2: Myths and Misconceptions aboutSexuality

MenstruationPregnancyVirginity Male Sexuality Breasts

Menstruation

Menstruation is an illness every adolescent must experience. MYTHFACT Menstruation is not an illness, but a normal biological process. Some women, however, may have headache, tired or bloated feeling, become irritable or sad, experience a mood swing, breast tenderness, palpitation, muscle pain, insomnia and food craving during 7 – 10 days before menstruation.

Bathing during menstruation will make you INSANE. MYTHFACT There is no scientific basis that bathing during menstruation will make one crazy. On the contrary, it is important to take a bath during menstruation because there is EXCESS BUILD-UP OF OIL IN SKIN AND HAIR.

Eating sour food will stop the flow of menstruation. MYTH FACT Sour food does not affect in any way the character of menstruation. In fact, no diet restriction is advised as long as it is balanced and taken regularly.

Jumping three steps down the stairs will shorten your period to 3 days. MYTHFACT Every girl has her own menstrual cycle, normally 3 to 7 days, and jumping will not change it.

Menstruation that does not appear on the exact day of the month is irregular. MYTH FACT Normal cycle is 28 days ± 7 days.

Washing one’s face with her first menstrual blood will make her skin smooth and clear. MYTH Menstrual blood is not a cure for pimples. FACT

Doing household chores and exercises are prohibited during one’s monthly period. MYTHFACT Menstruation should not be a deterrent to one’s daily activities. Being active prevents menstrual discomfort for as long as one doesn’t overdo it.

Menstrual blood is “dirty blood” that does not come out of the body when one misses her period. MYTHFACT Menstruation is the normal shedding of the lining of the uterus in the absence of pregnancy.

Early Menses = Early Menopause MYTHFACT Age of menopause is independent of the age of menarche.

Virginity

Dictionary The state of being untouched, unexplored, or unspoiled Medico Legal A condition of a female who has not experienced sexual intercourse and whose genital organs have not been altered by carnal connection

Ballet dancing, horseback and bike riding can destroy one’s virginity. MYTHFACT These activities should not affect one’s virginity at all. The hymen can be broken but virginity is intact.

Absence of “honeymoon bleeding” means that one is no longer a virgin. MYTHFACT Honeymoon bleeding does not always occur because the hymen is elastic and pliable.

PREGNANCY

“One sexual intercourse will not make me pregnant.” MYTHFACT If the woman has released the egg and that egg is viable, pregnancy is always possible even in one encounter. Remember, it takes only one sperm cell to cause pregnancy.

Vulvar coitus, withdrawal, perineal washing, urination and standing up right away will prevent pregnancy. MYTHFACT Sperms can swim up to meet the ovum.

There will be no pregnancy when there is no female orgasm. MYTH FACT The union of sperm and egg cell does not require orgasm to happen.

Dipping in swimming pools and Jacuzzi where there are men may cause one to be pregnant. MYTH There are no reports of such incident so far. In fact, swimming pools are treated with chlorine that may eliminate viable microorganisms, sperm cells included. FACT

Male Sexuality

Masturbation may lead to insanity and blindness. MYTHFACT It does not cause insanity and blindness.

Masturbation decreases the sperm count. MYTHFACT Masturbation does not affect the quantity of the sperm.

Masturbation increases the penile size. MYTHFACT Masturbation does not affect the size and flexibility of the penis.

Breasts

Use of push-up bra can cause breast cancer. MYTHFACT There is no relationship between use of push-up bra and breast cancer.

Trauma to the breast can cause breast cancer. MYTHFACT Trauma cannot cause breast cancer.

Breast asymmetry is abnormal. MYTHFACT The growth in size of both breasts may differ slightly in some normal adolescents.

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