Top 9 Contraception Misconceptions

Before society allowed frank and open discussion about sex, ignorance reigned supreme. Even now, when many of us carry the Internet around in our pocket or purse, some misinformation manages to sneak its way in. This is especially true of birth control. The groundbreaking 1969 "classic" "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask" defines birth control as referring to "the hundreds of methods that have been employed to separate the act of copulation from the act of reproduction."

Yeesh. While antiquated chatter about contraception makes for a laugh, not knowing the facts can do real damage - and that's not funny. With that in mind, here are some of history's most off-the-wall contraceptive misconceptions.

Jumping Up and Down

Everyone has heard this old wives' tale. The premise is that if a woman leaps out of bed immediately after sex (which is totally what she'll want to be doing, right?) and jumps up and down vigorously, the sperm will be confused and no pregnancy will occur. This has been debunked in plenty of books (not to mention an episode of "Roseanne").

But where did it start? In fact, this myth may be as old as medicine itself. Hippocrates - the man for whom the Hippocratic Oath is named - asserted that a woman should "make violent movements with her body after intercourse to prevent conception from reaching the uterus." Honest, that's taken directly from "The Hippocratic Corpus", the classic medical reference written by Hippocrates and his students. This is why even the best 2,000-year-old books should probably not be used as sex manuals. (For related reading, check out Why We Need Sex Ed.)

Birth-Control Pills Lead to Infertility

This rumor may have begun because women sometimes take birth control pills until they are in their 30s, an age at which conception becomes more difficult. Since the pill's introduction in 1960, rumors of side effects like weight gain, hair loss, pimples, and permanent infertility have been persistent.

The good news is, the reality is not nearly as ironic. Dr. Vanessa Cullins, writer of Planned Parenthood's long-time column "Ask Dr Cullins," assures us that there is no evidence to suggest a link between birth control pills and long-term infertility. She goes on to say that birth-control pills are among the most rigorously tested drugs on the planet and, when taken properly, are considered very safe. Birth control pills: Take 'em if ya got 'em!

Timing Is Everything!

In her book "Dr Ruth's Guide to Safer Sex," Dr. Ruth Westheimer said she was "startled" to learn how many teenagers believed they couldn't get pregnant their first time, and that the hymen served as a barrier to conception.

The reality? No such luck; the first time really can be the charm. The truth is that even if there is bleeding or discomfort, this does not interfere with the merry dance of sperm and egg. And yes, that's even true when a woman is menstruating.

Condoms: Tighter Is Better

If snugness provides protection, a latex stranglehold must provide super-duper protection, right? Nope. A too-tight condom is much more likely to tear during intercourse. Both Trojan and Durex condom companies say that condoms should fit snugly and comfortably when applied, while leaving ample room at the tip.

While it might be fun for the fellas to rip through a condom (like Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk, right?), a torn condom is useless at doing everything you need a condom to do. Try a few different brands, even measure if you have to, but make sure it fits. Condoms are something you never want to stretch past the breaking point.

What Goes Up ...

It's been surmised for centuries that gravity could be used to prohibit conception. Tenth century Persians believed that if both partners remained standing during sex, no conception would occur. Ancient Egyptians believed that sex in the river could not result in offspring. Many American youths still believe that woman-on-top sex is less likely to result in pregnancy.

In reality, if you try either one of these you're as likely to end up with a baby as you are with a back-ache or algae infection. If you are not yet wise in the ways of the penis, you may not realized just how fast and eager those little swimmers are when they exit the male body. (Uncover more mysteries of the penis in 10 Things You Don't Know About Penises.)