Sexual education is an important part of health education and is vital for teen’s development, learning, and overall well-being. But sadly, there are so many topics that go unexplored in sex ed classrooms including conversations about female pleasure, birth control options, sex for LGBTQ people, STDs, and so much more.
Here are 6 things that Sex Ed forgot to teach you.
1. Most Females Don’t Orgasm Through Penetration
Although some unrealistic porn out there may lead you to believe that all women can reach orgasm after a couple minutes of penetration but, the reality is that in order for most women to climax, they need clitoral stimulation too.
A study conducted in 2017 by Debby Herbenick at Indiana University found that ONLY 18.6% of women said penetration was enough to reach orgasm. So, don’t forget the clit!
2. Not Every Female Bleeds While Losing Virginity
Some women bleed the first time they have vaginal intercourse while others don’t bleed at all . . . and both are okay!
When females bleed during penetration it is due to the thin tissue on the opening of the vagina called the ‘hymen’. When having vaginal sex for the first time, your hymen stretches open and may cause pain and bleeding. But it is also important to note that the hymen can also stretch naturally from other things like sports, improper tampon-usage, or inserting other objects in the vagina.
Some females are born with extra hymenal tissue which can cause more bleeding while others can be born with very little hymen tissue so it may seem like they don’t have a hymen at all.
Whether you bleed the first time you have sex or not, you are completely normal!
3. There Are MANY Different Birth Control Methods
Birth control is not a one size fits all deal. Although something may work perfectly for your friend, it may not have the same effect on you.
What’s more, is that there are a shocking number of young people that think ‘the pill’ is the only pregnancy preventative method. In order for you to choose the best birth control method for your body, you need to be educated on the different options available to you.
There are five main forms of pregnancy prevention:
Barrier methods: male and female condoms, diaphragm, cervical caps
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC): IUD, implantable rods
Hormonal Methods: ‘the injection’, the combined oral pill, progesterone-only pills, ‘the patch’, vaginal ring
Emergency contraception: copper IUD, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)
Sterilization: sterilization implant, tubal ligation, vasectomy
Please note that no form of contraception is 100% effective (not even some forms of sterilization).
What’s more is that hormonal and other internal forms of contraception will not prevent you from attaining STDs so even if you’re on the pill, try using a barrier method to avoid STIs.
When thinking about contraception, it is important to speak to a medical practitioner for the best option for your body.
4. STD Testing Is Necessary
STIs can be spread through oral, anal, vaginal sex and even through skin-to-skin genital contact. So just because someone says they ‘haven’t had sex’ does not mean they have never been exposed to STDs.
What may come as a bigger surprise is that you may carry a STI without even knowing it! In fact, many sexually transmitted infections have little to no symptoms at all. So, the only way to know for sure is to be medically tested.
We know it may sound very daunting but most STIs are easily treatable and in most cases, they are confidential. So, you have no excuse! Getting tested is just a part of being a responsible, sexually active person.
5. What Safe Sex Looks Like for LGBTQ Individuals
You may have noticed, that in many sex ed classrooms, the word ‘sex’ is often used to describe penis-in-vagina penetration between heterosexual individuals. But it is also important for schools and people to realise that SAFE sex is necessary for same-sex people too!
It is still necessary for same-sex couples to use contraception such as female & male condoms, dental dams and more for STD prevention.
Another thing that school may not have educated you on is that there still is a possibility for reproduction for same-sex couples including IVF, surrogacy and more!
6. Porn IS NOT Sex Ed
Porn can be a fun and liberating experience but if you’re only just starting out then it may not be the best choice. Additionally, it’s important to differentiate porn sex from real sex and not let it lead to unrealistic expectations.
If you really want to learn more about sex then speaking to a trusted adult like a sex ed teacher, parent, or medical practitioner. Yes, we know it may be daunting to see a gynaecologist, but they are there to help.
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