Penis Facts and Fallacies: 5 Myths About Sex, Masturbation and Pregnancy

Most young boys are subjected to the dreaded birds-and-bees conversation early in life. That same information is also typically provided in school, during embarrassing sex education classes. By the time a guy reaches adolescence, it's often assumed that he knows everything there is to know about sex and pregnancy. Even so, myths about how babies are made, and how penis care plays a role, are rampant among young men. Clearing up those myths could help to avoid unplanned pregnancies, not to mention unpleasant penis problems.

Myth: Pulling Out Early Prevents Pregnancy.

A typical male ejaculation results in the release of hundreds of little swimmers, but only one of these is needed to fertilize a waiting egg. Men who rely on the pullout method may be able to keep the majority of their sperm cells from entering the bodies of their partners, but even one little cell left behind could be enough to do the trick. As a result, pulling out just isn't a method that's associated with a high level of success. Furthermore, the fluid that is often referred to as “pre-cum” may also contain sperm, so the assumption that if no ejaculation takes place, then no pregnancy will result is false.

Myth: Upright Sex is an Effective Form of Birth Control.

The idea behind this myth is that sperm won't move uphill in order to reach their ultimate destination. Unfortunately, these little cells are great swimmers, and they have absolutely no problem with moving uphill, downhill or even sideways in order to find an egg. They can also make the journey within seconds, so changing position right after sex or trying to push out, or flush out, the seminal fluid also won't help to keep pregnancy from occurring.

Myth: Having Sex in Water Washes Sperm Away.

Two bodies that are locked together during sex are incredibly efficient baby-making machines, and no amount of water will stand in their way. Sitting in a bathtub or a hot tub during sex may help them to feel more relaxed and perhaps a little bit cleaner, but this has no impact on the ability of sperm to move from a man's body to a woman's body. There is a bit of good news here, however. Many people have expressed concern that sperm could swim in hot water from one body to another, leading to unwanted pregnancies just from sharing a jacuzzi. However, sperm require a fairly specific environment to survive, and the temperature and chemistry of hot tub water is unlikely to allow them to survive such a journey. Therefore, men who worry about inviting their female partners into their pools or hot tubs due to the activity that's taken place in there in the past may not have much cause for concern.

Myth: First-Time Sex Can't Lead to Pregnancy.

Sex can seem incredibly complicated, as there are so many positions to study and so much legwork to do before the action even begins, but the actual act of fertilization is really quite simple. In fact, much of it doesn't require planning at all. Even really terrible sex that both people don't enjoy, performed for the very first time, can result in a pregnancy.

Myth: Frequent Masturbation Can Reduce Pregnancy Risk.

Some amount of sperm is released each time a guy climaxes, and men who want to reduce their chances of fatherhood may believe that spending quality time alone on a regular basis can help to reduce the amount of seed they release. It's worth repeating that only one little sperm cell is needed in order for a pregnancy to take hold. Masturbating may reduce the number of cells, but it can never reduce that figure to zero. Frequent masturbation can, however, cause penis damage, including:

• Chafed skin
• Reduced sensitivity
• Increased scar tissue
• Curved or bent erections

However, these issues can be alleviated through use of a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). A quality penile creme containing penis-specific nutrients and moisturizers can soothe abused skin and boost cellular health, allowing for a smooth, responsive tool that's ready for safe, protected sex.