As humans, we tend to believe all sorts of ideas and myths and when it comes to pregnancy and birth control, it can be quite blurry as to which are the facts and which are just not true. Let’s see if we can sort some out here…
I won’t conceive if I have sex during my period
Truth is, scores of women become pregnant following unprotected sex during their periods. While for most women, fertility is highest during mid-cycle, for others, chances of conceiving are about the same at any given time of the month, including during menstrual cycles. So, apart from it being a tad messy, it’s not a reliable birth control method.
I’m past the age to conceive
It’s not about the age, but rather it’s about your menstrual cycle, for a woman who still has periods can get pregnant no matter how old she is. As long as you are having periods and are healthy, you can become pregnant. To avoid an unwanted pregnancy you must consider yourself at risk of pregnancy until your period has stopped for at least a full year after which you can enjoy unprotected sex with your partner and forget about birth control.
I’m nursing, so I’ll surely not get pregnant
The same hormones that make milk suppress the release of reproductive hormones, so while ovulation and menstruation are not likely to happen while you are regularly breastfeeding your baby, eventually menstruation will return and you will begin to ovulate again. So, yes it is possible to become pregnant while still breastfeeding your child. To make things simple, a mother can rely on nursing as a contraceptive only if she can answer “no” to the following questions:
- Have your menstrual cycles returned?
- Are you allowing long periods without breastfeeding, either during the day (more than three hours) or at night (more than six hours)?
- Is your baby more than six months old?
First-time sex doesn’t cause a pregnancy
This is a classic myth that has caused countless unwanted pregnancies. Do be informed that once you have your period, you can get pregnant and there are no two ways about it. The younger you are, the easier it will be to get pregnant, so don’t fall victim to any claims that you won’t conceive when you do it for the first time.
Douching after intercourse can prevent pregnancies
Vaginal douching, the same as taking baths, showers or thoroughly washing one’s vagina after intercourse, does practically nothing to prevent pregnancy. This is because your partner’s sperm will begin its happy journey up towards the egg as soon as it’s released into your vagina.
Sex after a long period of abstinence will not cause a pregnancy
One time is all it may take to conceive. There is no such biological rule concluding that a period of abstinence will prevent you from getting pregnant when you finally do have sex. Unprotected sex, even once, can cause pregnancy so unless you are planning a child or don’t mind getting pregnant, protected sex is the way to go.
It’s unlikely I’ll conceive with all my health issues
Many women who thought that way are now mothers. We can only hope for their sake (and for the sake of their kids), that it was what they wanted. Unless a doctor, after thorough tests and check-ups has concluded that you are unable to conceive naturally, unprotected sex can make you pregnant.
Pulling out before ejaculation prevents pregnancies
Not only will it be a waste of time, some men even view the whole practice as an anti-climax. Rightly so, for it is unnatural to do so. Besides, before ejaculation occurs, a small amount of lubricating fluid is released. This fluid contains sperm and can still cause a pregnancy. Any penetration by a penis can result in pregnancy, even if it is pulled out before ejaculation.
