Myth: You can't get pregnant if it's your first time

When it comes to getting pregnant, there is no difference between her first time and any other time.
You can even get pregnant if you have sex and have never had a period before-- because a woman ovulates about 14 days before the period starts.

Myth: You can't get pregnant if you have sex during your period

While the chances of getting pregnant are higher midcycle, you can still get pregnant if you're on your period. And sperm can live for days in a woman's body, so you can get pregnant days after you have sex.

Myth: If he pulls out before ejaculating, I won't get pregnant

The truth is, you can get pregnant if any vaginal penetration occurs- whether or not he ejaculates! The "withdrawal" method is not a reliable form of contraception.
Not only can it be difficult to pull out in the heat of the moment, even if he does you can get pregnant. This is because the penis releases small amounts of lubricant during sex, and it contains sperm- hundreds of thousands of them!. So even if he pulls out, you can get pregnant. If he ejaculates outside the vagina, remember sperm can swim, and you can still get pregnant.

Myth: You can't get pregnant if the girl is standing up or on top

The position you do it in has nothing to do with your chance of getting pregnant. The sperm are far inside and begin to swim up immediately after ejaculation, so standing up or being on top won't prevent pregnancy.

Myth: You can't get pregnant if you are breastfeeding a baby

When you're breastfeeding, ovulation is less likely to occur; in some third-world countries-- where nutrition is poor-- woman use this as a form of pregnancy prevention . However, it's unreliable as your normal cycle can return quickly and if you're having sex it is possible to conceive.

Myth: Douching, urinating, or showering after sex can prevent pregnancy

After sex, the sperm is already well inside the body and swimming toward the egg. Douching (or bathing or showering) will not prevent pregnancy, and it can be dangerous to the woman's health, by upsetting the natural chemical balance of the vagina.

Myth: I can't get pregnant or get an STD if I'm on the pill

The only 100% effective method of birth-control is abstinence. The pill is very effective, but there are woman who do get pregnant while on it. And if you skip a pill, you can get pregnant.
If you're just begun taking the pill, it can take a month or so for your body to adjust to it, so doctors recommend using a back-up method during the first month you are on the pill.
The pill will do nothing to prevent STD's or HIV, however.

Myth: You can use a balloon, plastic bag, or plastic wrap instead of a condom; or toothpaste as a spermicide

Not true! Using household items in place of a condom is not a reliable way to prevent pregnancy, and it's not safe to do. They can rip or tear during sexual activity. And toothpaste does not kill sperm ( we wonder- how did THAT myth start?)

Myth: Jumping up and down, sneezing, or coughing after sex prevents pregnancy

Again, once the sperm's inside, none of those will affect it. You simply can't shake the sperm out or dislodge it by doing any of the above. Sperm are small, fast, and numerous, so there's no way to force them out once they're in.

Myth: You can't get pregnant if you time your cycle right

While the "rhythm method" of birth control is used by some couples, it is not a very effective way to prevent pregnancy (and does nothing to prevent STDs). The woman's cycles must be carefully tracked, which is very hard to do (and some women have irregular periods, making it impossible to predict ovulation). A regular woman can also have a change in cycle due to external influences, such as medications or stress. Plus, sperm can live for days in a woman's body. A woman is fertile after ovulation, and can get pregnant if sex occurs around that time.

Myth: You can't get pregnant without orgasm

Some women think if they don't have an orgasm, they won't get pregnant. That's not true-- if you have vaginal penetration, then you can get pregnant, even if the man doesn't ejaculate. A woman's pleasure has nothing to do with chances of pregnancy, and a penis can release a lubricant that contains sperm even if the man doesn't ejaculate.

Myth: I'm too young/old to get pregnant

You can get pregnant even if you've not started your period, because ovulation occurs days before your period starts. Also, even if you're older and less fertile, and your period has stopped, you still can get pregnant. Doctors say you should wait a year after your periods stop before having unprotected sex (in a monogamous relationship) to prevent pregnancy. And if you're young, unprotected sex is never a good idea.

Myth: Birth control pills can cause cancer

The pill can have side effects, but research shows that the pill has little, if any, increased risk of breast cancer, and using it can actually reduce the risk of cancer in the ovaries or lining of the uterus. Women on the pill are 1/3 as likely to get these types of cancer compared with those who aren't on it.

Myth: A tight condom is more protective

If a condom is too tight, it can break. You need to make sure condoms fit properly, and are put on properly, leaving room at the top to catch sperm.

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