Hi, I’m Aaron Carroll. You might know me from Healthcare Triage, but today I’m diving into a different topic over at Mental Floss. We’re going to explore 20 common myths and misconceptions about sex. If this topic isn’t for you, feel free to skip this one.
It’s a popular belief that a man’s shoe size can indicate his penis size. However, numerous studies have shown no connection between the two. Similarly, there’s no correlation between penis size and the size of a man’s hands, ears, or any other body part. Shoe size only reflects one’s preference in footwear.
Contrary to popular belief, the average penis size is not 7 inches. Research involving 15 studies on stretched penile length found the average to be around 5 inches. For instance, the Kinsey Institute’s study of over 1,600 men revealed an average erect size of about 5.6 inches. Interestingly, erections from oral sex tend to be larger than those from manual stimulation, though the reason remains unclear.
Some believe that wearing a condom can prolong sexual activity. However, a study involving 500 men from Europe and America found that the average time before ejaculation was about 5.4 minutes, with no significant difference when using a condom.
It’s a misconception that you can greatly increase your ejaculate volume. A 2005 study of over 6,000 men showed that those who abstained for a week had an average volume of 3.7 milliliters, compared to 2.3 milliliters for those who had sex the day before. The difference is minimal.
While some studies suggest men prefer blondes, these often come from regions where blonde hair is less common. In areas where blonde hair is more prevalent, preferences are less distinct.
It’s a myth that most women remove all their body hair. A 2010 survey found that only 11% of women aged 18 to 68 remove all their hair most of the time, while 20% do not remove any hair at all.
There’s a belief that larger breasts are less sensitive than smaller ones. While studies show differences in sensitivity, no woman has defined sensitivity during sex as the ability to feel a single hair.
While sex does burn some calories, the average duration of sexual activity is not long enough to be considered a significant workout.
It’s a misconception that all men cheat more than women. If cheating is defined strictly as intercourse, men do cheat more often. However, when the definition is broadened, women cheat almost as frequently as men.
There’s a myth that men reach their sexual peak long before women. If “peak” is defined by frequency of sex, both men and women may experience long periods without it during their 20s.
Premature ejaculation is often thought to be more common in young men, but studies show it affects men across various age groups.
It’s a myth that men think about sex every 7 seconds. Many men report thinking about sex only a few times a month or a few times a week.
Contrary to popular belief, married individuals do masturbate. Studies indicate that a significant percentage of both men and women have masturbated in the past year.
While it’s possible to die with an erection, a dead body cannot ejaculate.
It’s a misconception that only males experience wet dreams. Studies show that a significant percentage of females report having them as well.
The idea that masturbation can cause blindness is completely false.
It’s a myth that birth control pills lead to weight gain. A meta-analysis found no evidence supporting this claim.
The belief that you can determine your baby’s sex through specific sexual practices is unfounded. The idea that X sperm are larger than Y sperm lacks evidence.
It’s crucial to get the HPV vaccine before exposure to the virus for it to be effective, not just when you’re sexually active.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through common sex myths. If you found this episode interesting, consider checking out our book, “Don’t Put That in There and 69 Other Sex Myths.” Remember to prioritize your health and well-being!
Create a presentation where you choose three myths from the article and research their origins and why they persist. Present your findings to the class, focusing on the evidence that debunks these myths. This will help you develop critical thinking and presentation skills.
Form small groups and select a myth to discuss. Debate whether the myth has any basis in reality and explore the social or cultural factors that might contribute to its persistence. This activity will enhance your ability to engage in constructive dialogue and consider multiple perspectives.
Write a research paper on one of the myths, exploring its historical context, scientific evidence, and societal impact. Use academic sources to support your arguments. This will improve your research and writing skills, as well as your ability to synthesize information.
Organize a workshop where you and your classmates can present different myths and the facts that debunk them. Invite experts or professors to provide additional insights. This will help you practice public speaking and event organization.
Design an interactive quiz based on the myths discussed in the article. Use online tools to create a fun and educational experience for your peers. This activity will help you learn how to use digital tools for educational purposes and engage others in learning.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hi, I’m Aaron Carroll. You can usually find me here at Healthcare Triage, but today we’re heading over to the salon for Mental Floss, where I’ll be discussing 20 myths and misconceptions about sex. Fair warning: this episode is about sex. If you think that’s inappropriate or it’s not your thing, it might be a good idea to turn this off now.
Did you know that it’s a myth that there’s any correlation between penis size and shoe size? Many studies have been conducted, and they fail to find any link between the size of a man’s shoes and the size of his penis. There’s also no relationship between penis size and the size of his hands, ears, or anything else. Looking at someone’s shoes will only tell you about their taste in footwear.
It’s also a myth that the average man has a 7-inch penis. To study this correctly, you can’t just ask men how big their penises are; you have to measure them. We found 15 studies that looked at stretched penile length, and most of them had an average around 5 inches. For example, the Kinsey Institute studied more than 1,600 men and found that the average erect penis size was about 5.6 inches. Interestingly, erections brought about by oral sex were larger than those brought about by manual stimulation, but we don’t know why.
Another myth is that wearing a condom makes you last longer. A study of 500 men from Europe and America found that the average time before ejaculation was about 5.4 minutes, with no significant difference when wearing a condom.
It’s also a myth that you can build up a much bigger ejaculate. A 2005 study of more than 6,000 men found that those who waited a week had an average ejaculate volume of 3.7 milliliters, while those who had sex the day before had a volume of 2.3 milliliters. The difference is minimal.
There’s a misconception that men prefer blondes over brunettes. While some studies suggest this, they often come from areas where blonde hair is less common. In places where blonde hair is more prevalent, preferences are less clear.
It’s also a myth that most women are going hairless these days. A 2010 survey found that only 11% of women aged 18 to 68 remove all of their hair most of the time, while 20% remove no hair at all.
Another myth is that bigger breasts are less sensitive than smaller breasts. Studies have shown differences in sensitivity, but no woman has defined sensitivity during sex as the ability to feel a single hair.
It’s a myth that sex is great exercise. While it burns some calories, the average time spent on sexual activity is not long enough to be considered a significant workout.
There’s also a misconception that all men cheat or that there’s a difference between men and women in terms of infidelity. If cheating is defined as intercourse, then yes, men cheat more often. However, if you broaden the definition, women cheat almost as often as men.
It’s a myth that men peak sexually long before women. If we define “peak” by frequency of sex, both men and women may go without it for long periods during their 20s.
Another myth is that young men are more likely to ejaculate prematurely. Studies show that this issue affects men across various age groups.
It’s also a myth that men think about sex every 7 seconds. Many men report thinking about sex only a few times a month or a few times a week.
Married people also do masturbate. Studies show that a significant percentage of both men and women report having masturbated in the past year.
It’s a myth that dead males can develop erections. While it’s possible to die with an erection, a dead body cannot ejaculate.
Another misconception is that only males have wet dreams. Studies show that a significant percentage of females report having experienced this as well.
It’s also a myth that masturbating will make you go blind. This is completely untrue.
Regarding birth control, it’s a myth that the pill makes you gain weight. A meta-analysis found no evidence that birth control pills cause weight gain.
It’s also a myth that you can influence the sex of your baby by how you have sex. The idea that X sperm are bigger than Y sperm is not supported by evidence.
Lastly, it’s a myth that you don’t need the HPV vaccine until you’re having sex. It’s important to get vaccinated before exposure to HPV for it to be effective.
Thanks for watching Mental Floss on YouTube! If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to check out our recently published book, “Don’t Put That in There and 69 Other Sex Myths.” You can find links below.
Remember to take care of your health and well-being!
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This version removes explicit language and sensitive content while maintaining the informative nature of the original transcript.
Health – The state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. – Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for good health.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. – Understanding basic psychology can help improve communication skills and relationships.
Misconceptions – Incorrect or mistaken views or ideas about something, often based on faulty thinking or understanding. – There are many misconceptions about mental health that need to be addressed through education.
Sex – The biological distinction between male and female organisms, or the act of sexual intercourse. – Discussions about sex education are important for promoting safe practices and understanding consent.
Studies – Research or investigations conducted to discover new information or reach new conclusions, often in an academic context. – Recent studies have shown a strong link between stress management and improved mental health.
Women – Adult human females, often discussed in the context of gender studies, health, and social roles. – Research in women’s health has led to significant advancements in understanding diseases that predominantly affect women.
Men – Adult human males, often discussed in the context of gender studies, health, and social roles. – Studies on men’s mental health have highlighted the importance of addressing societal pressures and stigma.
Exercise – Physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning the body and improving health. – Regular exercise is known to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Masturbation – The self-stimulation of the genitals for sexual pleasure, often considered a normal part of human sexuality. – Open discussions about masturbation can help dispel myths and promote sexual health.
Vaccine – A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease. – Vaccines have played a crucial role in controlling the spread of infectious diseases and improving public health.
