Health experts expand on sex-related myths
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 10/29/2008
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Everyone has heard horror stories when it comes to sex, so Kimberly Williams, the sexual health education coordinator for the Student Wellness Office and Stephanie Saur, a graduate student in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, uncovered the five most common tall tales related to sex.
Wearing a condom makes it harder for men to get aroused. False!
Condoms are designed to feel like a second skin on the penis and should still be pleasurable for both a man and a woman, said Williams. There may be more practical reasons why a condom is interfering with sexual arousal.
Williams suggests that if a man is having trouble getting aroused, he may have put the condom on improperly or he should consider changing the brand or type. Many brands have developed "ultra thin" or "extra sensitive" types to help increase sensation.
Psychology may also interfere with arousal, said Saur. If a man is psychologically used to having intercourse without condoms it could result in erection problems.
"Whatever the reasons may be, a couple should communicate about the problem, use lubrication, try different condom brands or even see a specialist if the problems persist," Saur said.
Men can't have an orgasm without ejaculating. False!
Men can have an orgasm without ejaculating as well as ejaculate without having an orgasm. Having an orgasm without ejaculation is typically an instance of multiple orgasms in men and happens occasionally. If the condition remains constant, it may be caused by more serious health problems.
Williams said if men experience retrograde ejaculation, a condition when sperm doesn't exit through the penis and enters the bladder, it may impair fertility.
Other causes for an orgasm without ejaculation includes the surgical removal of the prostate or bladder, and a damaged prostate or seminal vesicle. To determine the exact medical condition, Williams recommends consulting a urologist.
The vagina gets looser with more sexual encounters. False!
The vagina does not permanently change due to penetrative sexual activities, Williams said. When a woman is aroused, the vaginal canal becomes lubricated, loosens and the cervix is pulled up to create more room.
"This doesn't indicate that a woman has had many sexual encounters," she said.
Saur said the shape of the vagina differs from woman to woman due to different anatomical builds, but is on average 4 inches deep and doesn't change based on sexual encounters.
If a woman is "tight" it may be a sign that she is not fully aroused or ready for penetration. Kegel exercises can help stimulate and train vaginal walls and is also known to enhance sexual pleasure during intercourse, Saur said.
Men have a stronger sex drive than women do. False!
Defining a typical person's sex drive is difficult, Williams said. There are multiple ways to explain sexual desire. It may refer to how often a person thinks about sex, how often they are aroused or how often they participate in sexual activities.
Each individual is different, regardless if you are male or female. There are a number of different considerations to think about when measuring sex drive.
"The level of sex drive in men and women may also be associated with what actually turns them on," she said.
Also, Saur said research has shown that sex drive is linked to the amount of unbound testosterone that is available in the body. So the higher the levels of testosterone, the stronger the sex drive.
Blue balls are a real medical condition. Sort of!
There is no medical term for the condition "blue balls." Saur said the term is slang used to describe the medical condition, vasoconstriction, which is the feeling of testicular aching or heaviness.
When men get aroused, nitric oxide is released by the parasympathetic nervous system. This is done so smooth muscle tissue can relax and allow for an increase in blood flow to the penis. After an orgasm, the nervous system is signaled that the sexual activity is over and a man loses his erection.
In the event of a prolonged erection with no orgasm, the penis can feel tense and painful. This feeling is known as "blue balls." The slang term originated because of the blue tint that appears in men's' testicles when blood fills its vessels.