15 Common sex myths busted by science

Maureen Diament 10 Oct 2014 updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:39

1/15
You should never make love (or masturbate) the day before a sporting event
It is the leitmotiv of every good trainer: it is necessary to keep maximum of energy for the big competition. But, discounting any particularly crazy nights, sexual intercourse generally makes us burn (only) between 25 and 125 Kcal. Real sportsmen could thus manage sex before competition. We often believe that making love decreases the rate of testosterone, a hormone which makes people more aggressive and stronger. A study about the question discovered that, on the contrary, men who had had a sexual intercourse the day before have a higher rate of testosterone. On the other hand, researchers recognize that if there are no physical contraindication, it is better to abstain from having sex the day before a sporting event for emotional reasons. Concentration disorders, annoyance, questioning, and so on. Even a steel mental resolve can be disrupted by a night of love.
2/15
Having a genital piercing boosts the pleasure
There are references to this type of piercing, even in the Kama Sutra. Even when some studies were made, they were not really decisive. Among 33 women that have a clitoral piercing, scientists noted in fact an increase in libido and in the frequency of sexual intercourse since the piercing was done. However, they were not able to demonstrate an increase of the pleasure or the frequency of orgasms.
3/15
Keeping our socks on is a love killer
We (more or less) all agree with that. But everything depends on circumstance. Indeed, one scientist's team had the funny idea to ask couples to keep their socks on during sexual intercourse. The results were more than surprising: 80% of those who have their feet warm had an orgasm against only 50 % of others. Another solution: stay under the covers...
4/15
Big hands, big feet, big…?
The relation between the size of the penis and the size of feet has many scientific foundations. There is indeed a gene which intervenes at the same time in the development of feet, hands, and genital organs (in men and women). If the growth is influenced by the same mechanisms, it does not necessarily mean that it is proportional. Many studies which compared the sizes of the penis, hands, and feet give contradictory results, meaning that it is impossible to guess!
5/15
Two condoms protect better than an only one
In some countries, particularily in India, it is common to use two condoms to avoid sexually transmitted diseases as well as unwanted pregnancies. Most of health authorities do not advise this type of practice which, according to them, increases the risk of condoms breaking because of the friction. Furthermore, a single condom is enough to offer protection and to keep a maximum of sensations.
6/15
Men think about sex all the time
If it was so, they would think about sex approximately 57,000 times a day and thus would not be able to do anything else. Moreover, the reality seems to be quite different. If half of men actually declare to think about sex every day, no more than 40% of them think about it during one week. 67% of women think about sex one or several times a week. A study showed that young single women (from 18 to 24 years) had more often sexual intercourse than men. It is thus the ones who think least about it who have the most regular intercourse.
7/15
Pubic hairs never become grey
Unfortunately, they do. Just like the hair on our heads, pubic hairs are affected by aging. The age when they change colour varies according to the person.
8/15
Only men can have an orgasm during their sleep
Even if the research is less plentiful on women, it has demonstrated that night pleasures are not the privilege of men. The only drawback is that women experience nocturnal orgasms with less frequency.
9/15
It is frequent to have a heart attack during a sexual intercourse
False. Having a regular sexual activity can even help you keep a healthy heart. In a big study, Framingham Heart Study, several thousand men were followed over the course of decades. Conclusion: a man who has no diabetes and who does not smoke has one chance in a million to have a heart attack during a sexual intercourse. And for those who have cardio problems, the risk increases to "just" 10 chances in a million. On the other hand, those who have already had heart concerns should discuss it with their doctor before resuming sexual activity. Do not worry, the contraindications are extremely rare.
10/15
A woman has a better chance of getting pregnant if she has an orgasm
It is a belief on which scientists hesitate a little. It seems that the orgasm does not particularly facilitate conception. The womb contractions would not favour sperm movement. But it is difficult to assert this 100%.
11/15
Some sexual positions increase the chances to conceive a boy (or a girl)
At the origin of this idea, there is the fact that the sperms that carry the Y chromosome are faster and those which carry the X chromosome, are more resistant. The problem is that because this difference is tiny, especially when we consider the long way that the sperm has to traverse to reach the ovum. There is thus no position more favourable than another one to have a girl or a boy. You have a 50% chance of having the result you want!
12/15
Women cannot ejaculate
Even if studies on this subject are rare, some women assert having observed this kind of reaction during orgasm. Some scientists had the opportunity to collect the expelled liquid and confirm that it is not urine, although they are unable to determine its composition. According to the authors, even if all women do not ejaculate, some of them do.
13/15
The penis is unbreakable
Unfortunately it is, even if a break remains extremely rare. And it is in fact generally serious because an operation is necessary and the convalescence is long. Good news nevertheless: once cured, the majority of men get back to a normal sexual life.
14/15
In men, the orgasm is the ejaculation
False, even if there are few men who do not ejaculate during orgasm. Generally, it is because there is something wrong in the prostate area or on the urogenital system. Some medicine can also prevent the ejaculation. In every case, it is necessary to speak about it with the doctor.
15/15
Circumcision reduces the pleasure
It is a debate which lasts for centuries, and which particularly interests scientists. Especially since we know that the circumcision protects, partially, against some sexually transmitted infections. However in all cases, the condom must be worn. Numerous quality studies were performed and the results are unanimous: the circumcision does not condemn men to feel less pleasure! On the contrary, it makes them more sensitive to stimulations and enables them to achieve orgasm more easily.

You should never make love (or masturbate) the day before a sporting event

Is there a greater chance of getting pregnant if a woman has an orgasm? Is it better to use two condoms rather than only one? Here are the answers of the experts.

Dr Aaron Carroll and Rachel Vreeman are paediatricians and refuters of preconceived ideas. They have to their credit several books about popular beliefs in the domains of science, medicine, and the human body. In each text, they study in detail scientific literature to determine the legitimacy of these rumors. Their new book is dedicated only to one theme: sex. Composed in 5 different parts (men, women, sex, getting pregnant, contagious sexual infections), it breaks up a large number of prejudices.

SEX AND SCIENCE HAVE INTIMATE LINKS

Did you know that there are thousands of scientific studies on sex? And not only on disorders connected with desire, diseases, or the human anatomy. Scientists take very seriously all the existing beliefs and have studied practically every aspect of sexuality. Some questions do not have much relevance (can pubic hairs become grey?). Others are more or less important (can women have an orgasm during their sleep?). And finally, others are essential to progress in medicine (do we have more of a chance to die from a heart attack during a sexual intercourse?). Here are 15 of the preconceived ideas scrupulously studied by the two experts.

Maureen Diament

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15 Common sex myths busted by science

SEX AND SCIENCE HAVE INTIMATE LINKS

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