in collaboration with Lustery
@lusterypov
Porn is one of the many categories that, much like our sexual health products, benefits from the inclusion of real bodies, stories, couples, and situations to help us better understand the myriad of things that any individual might experience, like, dislike, have questions about, or need more information on.
But before we can learn more about something, we need to unlearn the biased, stereotype, and stigmatized misinformation circulating since our (very bad) sex ed days. Here, we break down the most common sexual health related myths about our sexual health — vaginas and porn are no longer shrouded in mystery!
MYTH 1: Vaginal wetness is a sign of arousal. If you’re not wet, you’re not turned on.
Don’t we all wish that sexual arousal was this simple? Well, yes, obviously, but it’s not the case. What turns us on, how it turns us on, how it feels, and the physiological response manifests in many different ways. Nothing is not one size fits all, and that’s okay! Lube was invented for a reason (and has been used for literally thousands of years). Focus on how you feel — not how wet your vagina and vulva are. There are a lot of mental and emotional factors that may not follow your physical response to getting in the mood.
MYTH 2: Having hard, rough, or (a lot of ) penetrative sex will make your vagina loose.
Your vagina does change in size and color when you’re aroused, but we assure you it does not stay that way! In fact, your vagina has been evolutionarily designed to stretch to accommodate penetration. As blood rushes to your pubic area during arousal, which may darken the appearance of your vulva, muscular tension, or vaginal tenting, draws the uterus upward, creating more space in the vagina, and can nearly double in size from .5 to 2 inches.
Once you begin peri/menopause, your vaginal tissue can become thinner, drier, and less elastic, but these changes have nothing to do with how often you had penetrative sex, or how many people you slept with. During perimenopause and after, your body produces less estrogen, which can reduce blood flow to the vagina.
MYTH 3: Vaginal discharge is gross or unhealthy.
Wrong! So, so, so very wrong. Vaginal discharge is normal and necessary to help maintain a healthy vaginal environment. This is where the concept that your vagina is self cleaning comes from. Basically, discharge is the fluid secreted from tiny glands in the vagina and cervix that helps remove old cells and debris to keep your vaginal pH in balance.
Discharge can come in a myriad of colors, scents, viscosities, and amounts, many of which are normal and, yes, even good for you! Of course, these attributes can also indicate a vulvovaginal health issue like BV or a yeast infection, so be mindful of any sudden or long-term changes that may be irregular for you.
READ MORE Decode Your Vaginal Discharge
MYTH 4: Porn is addictive.
Remember when your gym teacher/grandma/whoever told you that masturbating would make you go blind? Has it? The idea that you can become hooked on porn comes from the same place — in other words, moralistic opinion as opposed to scientific evidence. Medical and psychological bodies the world over have consistently rejected the notion that porn is addictive. Remember, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with you if you enjoy watching porn.
MYTH 5: Watching porn will ruin your relationship.
Not quite. However, sexual shame, low self-esteem, conflict, and communication problems might. Porn can be an escape when these issues arise, but it shouldn’t be viewed as the root of the problem. In fact, in a healthy relationship, watching porn together can be a bonding experience (no, really) — people who watch porn with their partners report greater sexual satisfaction in their relationship compared to those who watch it alone.
MYTH 6: All porn is fake.
The first thing to keep in mind is that for the most part, porn by no means claims to be anything more than fantasy – it's not intended to be a script for real sex, a replacement for comprehensive sex ed, or a "how-to" guide. However, that doesn't mean the passion and pleasure of porn are always performed, as there is a growing movement of porn where authenticity and genuine emotion take centre stage. Real couples in real bedrooms having real orgasms (or not!) are garnering a massive following worldwide for representing all types of sex in all types of ways.
Related Reading
10 Vaginal Smells & What They Mean About Your Health
Mind the Gap: Gender Inequality in the Bedroom
What’s Wrong With calling My Vulva My Vagina?
Momotaro Apotheca and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on Momotaro Apotheca is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition.