The Biggest Women’s Health Myths
The biggest women’s health myths, Ladies, find out the truth once and for all!
Women have been getting health advice since childhood, and, shockingly, much of it is pure nonsense! Unfortunately, many women can go their entire lives still believing these falsehoods, so it’s time to debunk some of these myths.
Check out this gallery to see some of the biggest women's health myths out there. Maybe you'll recognize some of these from your own experience...
Doing ab exercises will get you a six-pack
Unfortunately, this is indeed only a myth. Even if you do all the ab exercises out there, it won't naturally give you a six-pack. It will only truly show if you’re watching your nutrition and focus on reducing body fat to 20% or less. So unless you’re a fitness model, there's no point in obsessing over abs!
Women's bladders are smaller than men's
Women might have to pee more because their bladders push up against the uterus and fill a little faster, but it doesn't have anything to do with size.
Certain foods will help you get pregnant
It’s believed that eating certain foods, like yams or goji berries, will help struggling women conceive. However, there are no miracle foods for this.
You'll gain a ton of weight after menopause
One of the scariest myths about menopause is the weight gain due to hormonal changes. The truth is that menopause is different for every woman, but actual weight gain is not relatable.
You can drink cranberry juice to cure a UTI
Urinary tract infections, better known as UTIs, are the worst and tricky to get rid of. Sadly, the cranberry juice hack is just a myth with no proof of actually being a cure.
Too much intercourse causes the vagina to get bigger
Having regular intercourse doesn't cause your vagina to become ‘loose’ or stretch out. It’s natural when turned on that the vaginal muscles relax and loosen, so nothing to worry about.
Skipping breakfast will make you gain weight
This myth has been around forever, and many people believe skipping breakfast will make you overeat during the day, thus gaining weight. This has been proven not to be true, so don't worry if you skip breakfast once in a while.
If you wear face makeup, there's no need for sunscreen
Your foundation and powder isn't going to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, so don't skip on the sunscreen.
You shouldn't work out during your period
You might lose a little motivation during that time of the month, but there is nothing unhealthy about working out during your menstrual cycle. In fact, exercise has been shown to reduce cramp pains!
Using a yogurt-covered tampon can help with yeast infections
Please don’t put a yogurt-covered tampon anywhere in your body! The myth goes that the good bacteria can cure the yeast infection, but it’s not the same bacteria that will keep your vagina healthy.
It's harder to get pregnant after 35
If you’re worried that the chances of getting pregnant after 35 plummet immediately, don’t. Fertility does decline with age, but multiple studies have found that women 35 and up can still easily get pregnant.
Using birth control makes it harder to get pregnant later on
Many women believe years of using birth control will make it less likely they'll get pregnant when going off it. But the truth is you can get pregnant just as easily as if you hadn't been on birth control in the first place. The difficulty might just be caused to being closer to menopause, not from the actual pill.
Reading in dim lights will mess up your eyesight
This is something you probably heard your mom say, but there’s really nothing to worry about. Reading in dim lights might simply make your eyes hurt due to tiredness, but it doesn’t cause any actual damage.
Your s e x drive decreases as you get older
While menopause can affect your s e x drive, it’s not a guarantee. There have even been studies that show an increase in sexual satisfaction post-menopause, maybe as a result of not having to worry about accidentally getting pregnant!
You don't need sunscreen in the winter
Unfortunately, sun rays can still cause damage to your skin, even more so when they reflect light on the snow. So don’t skip on your SPF!
You can't get pregnant while you're breastfeeding
The chances are low, but it’s not impossible, as your ability to ovulate can return during this period.
Deodorant causes breast cancer
The link between breast cancer and deodorant has been highly debated, and some scientists believe there’s a connection due to the potentially harmful ingredients applied near the breasts. However, no actual evidence has been found.
You can't get pregnant if you're on your period
You might think you can have unprotected sex during your period without any worries of getting pregnant, but the truth is it’s not impossible. The sperm can stay alive in your body for up to five days, so there's still a chance that it can reach your egg while ovulating post-period.
Breastfeeding causes saggy breasts
Some women fear breastfeeding simply because they think it will result in saggy breasts. In reality, it has more to do with other factors like age or number of pregnancies.
It's dangerous to exercise during pregnancy
This was an old notion so that pregnant women would take it easy. But today it’s recommended for women to get 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise during pregnancy. Of course, always check with your doctor first.
Bladder leakage only happens to old people
You might think bladder leakage is something that only happens to the elderly, but it’s super common in younger women, too.
Missing your period means you're pregnant
While it’s a common reason, there are also plenty of other explanations for missing your period. Other factors might be high levels of stress, excessive exercise, or extreme weight loss. But it’s best to always check with a gynecologist.
Shaving will make your hair grow back quicker and thicker
Shaving doesn't change anything when it comes to your hair, be it color, growth rate, or coarseness. It might look a little darker, but this is only when it starts growing out.
It's possible for your period to sync up with your BFF
You’ve probably heard that all the hours spent with your bestie can sync up your flows. The truth is, however, that this has nothing to do with hormones, but rather numbers. Over time, if a woman has a three-week cycle and another a five-week cycle, they will eventually see their periods go in and out of sync.
Lying on your back during intercourse will make it easier to get pregnant
It has been believed for a long time that gravity makes it easier to get pregnant. However, this technique isn't as reliable as it seems.
You don't have to worry about heart disease if you're a woman
Even though heart diseases are more common with men, women have to be attentive, too, as it’s unfortunately the number one cause of death.
Wearing bras causes breast cancer
The myth goes that bras can cause breast cancer because of how they restrict the lymphatic system. However, there’s absolutely no evidence that backs that up, so wear a bra or don’t—you choose!
Green mucus means you're sick
This just sounds yucky, but the truth is you can’t rely on the color or consistency of your mucus as a sign of infection or not. In fact, green mucus might mean it’s doing its job and protecting your body.
You're supposed to gain a bunch of weight during pregnancy
It's not actually fact that you have to gain tons of weight during pregnancy. Make sure to talk to your doctor to figure out how much weight gain is healthy for your body.
You have to drink eight glasses of water every day
This myth has been around for ages, but when it comes to hydrating, you don’t have to necessarily focus on that number. The amount you drink has more to do with how active you are, your health, and where you live. Plus, it doesn’t have to all come from water, but also the foods you eat.
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