It’s ironic that, despite the fact that sex is such a prominent aspect of our lives, most of us feel uncomfortable talking about it. This is a shame, because it leads to misconceptions about sex and misinterpretations about things like conception, sexual stamina and the like.
That’s why we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked sex questions, and compiled them in the bullet points below. Hopefully, they will help to clear up some of the misunderstandings you may have around sexual intercourse.
- Can I get pregnant while I’m on my period?
Technically, the answer to this is no – but there’s a big caveat. Your window of fertility is usually restricted to just a few days every month, right in the middle of your menstrual cycle. However, some women may bleed during their cycle, and this isn’t considered a “true period”. If you tend to experience irregular periods, you may have bleeding that is not your true period, and while you might mistake this as your period, you could become pregnant during this time.
- How long should sex last for?
How long is a piece of string? There’s no right answer to this question – it’s different for everyone. According to multiple studies done on the subject, sexual intercourse ranges anywhere from 30 seconds to 45 minutes… that’s a big difference! Rather than focusing on how long a sex session goes for, it’s better to prioritise each other’s pleasure – that is, are both parties reaching climax, could more time be spent engaging in foreplay, and so on.
- What to do if the condom breaks?
This can be a frightening experience, however it does happen! Your first step should be to consider getting tested for an STD (sexually transmitted disease). As for pregnancy concerns, there are three potential avenues for you to choose:
- Visit your local women’s health provider and ask to have a copper IUD inserted. This has a 99% success rate in preventing pregnancy, and can be done up to a week after the sex where the condom broke.
- Visit your local women’s health provider and request a prescription for Ella (ulipristal acetate). This can be done up to five days after the sex where the condom broke.
- Visit your local pharmacy and purchase over-the-counter Plan B (levonorgestrel, a progestin) – more commonly known as the “Morning After Pill”. This can be taken up to three days after the sex where the condom broke.
- Does penis size matter?
Again, there’s no black-and-white answer to this question. If we’re talking about the ability to give someone an orgasm or get someone pregnant, then no – penis size doesn’t factor into this. However, some people do have preferences in regards to size and shape. For these people, penis size may be an important factor.
- Do I need to take the pill at the exact same time every day?
The short answer is no, you don’t need to take the pill at the same time each day. However, many people find that it helps to set a reminder or alarm so that they remember to take their pill every day. Taking your pill at the same time each day can also help to make sure that you are getting the most effective protection from the pill.
- Do I still need to use protection when engaging in oral sex?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended that you do. Why? Because while there’s no chance of getting pregnant from oral sex, STD’s can still be transmitted from one person to another via oral sex – especially if it’s with someone new, whose sexual history you don’t know about. If you are engaging in oral sex with your long-term partner, and you’ve both been checked for sexually transmitted diseases, then it’s generally safe to not use protection.
We hope you found this information useful, and that it helps you to engage in safe and responsible sex in the future!
