KEY POINTS
- Pregnancy can happen anytime if a girl has unprotected sex.
- Contraceptives do not cause infertility; they are safe and effective.
- STIs aren’t always visible—testing is the only way to know.
SRH remains a fundamental health topic even though Nigerian youth receive false information which prevents their clear understanding of the matter. Particularly throughout generational transmission these false beliefs generate stereotypes and misleading information and dangerous behaviors. Young people need both education and clarification of misperceptions to enable them to make intelligent decisions. The beliefs which Nigerian youth need to stop perceiving are seven widespread misconceptions.
1. Pregnancy is not possible during initial sexual intercourse.
A significant number of youngsters maintain a false belief about pregnancy not occurring during first-time sexual activities. This statement is entirely inaccurate. A woman becomes capable of getting pregnant at any unprotected vaginal sex encounter despite which time marks her first sexual contact.
According to Kids health, Fertilization becomes possible when sperm demonstrates presence during any period of ovulation. Ovulation can begin in some females before their first menstrual period thus demonstrating that pregnancy can happen before menstruation begins. The misconception about sexual safety often leads to unintended pregnancies which forces many adolescent girls to enter motherhood too early or perform risky abortion procedures.
2. Conception is not possible during menstruation.
According to Health.com, people believe that sexual intercourse during menstruation acts as an absolute pregnancy prevention method but this belief is false. Statistical chances of pregnancy decrease during menstruation yet they do not vanish completely. Sperm exists inside the female body for up to five days so if her menstrual cycle is short she can begin ovulating right after months end. The sperm cells transmitted through sex during menstruation have the capability to successfully fertilize ovarian eggs.
The belief system about this topic increases the frequency of unwanted pregnancies while encouraging unsafe sexual activities that exposes young people to sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs).
3. Contraceptives Induce female infertility
According to Health line, a widespread fear exists in Nigeria about contraceptive methods causing permanent woman infertility through pills injections or implants usage. This statement is entirely inaccurate. Contraceptive methods never influence how well a woman can get pregnant in the future. The reproductive ability of a woman automatically resumes after she stops using birth control methods.
The temporary delay of conception can happen after stopping hormonal contraceptives but it does not indicate infertility. Myths about contraceptives prevent teenage women from using birth control which leads to both unexpected pregnancies and dangerous abortion procedures.
4. One can determine if an individual has a sexually transmitted infection solely by observation
Most people believe that sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) show noticeable symptoms which include blistering or rash or unusual discharge. This is a perilous fallacy. Some STIs including HIV along with chlamydia and gonorrhea remain without symptoms for weeks to months to several years.
A person can only confirm the presence of a sexually transmitted infection through correct medical testing. People who base their decision-making on external looks practice risky sex conduct and delay healthcare resulting in poor health conditions including severe diseases and more widespread STI transmission.
5. Cleansing the vagina with detergent, saline solution, or lime prevents pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Many young female Nigerians use saltwater along with lime or detergent in post-coital douching with the aim of removing sperm and diseases. The habit is not efficient and it causes actual harm.
There is no sperm elimination during vaginal washing since it does not prevent pregnancy. The distruption of vaginal pH balance by this practice makes STI infections more likely instead of preventing them. Health complications of long-term duration can develop because of compounds that irritate or burn biological tissue.
6. Masturbation induces weakness or infertility
According to Cleveland clinic, the citizens of Nigeria accept masturbation with strong negative opinions which claim this practice creates weakness together with infertility and mental health issues. These statements fail to have any scientific basis. The sexual practice of masturbation is common and beneficial since it has no negative effects on fertility or overall health outcomes.
Practicing masturbation enables stress relief while improving ongoing knowledge of your body and results in zero health problems if done occasionally. Shameful stories stemming from unfounded anxiety prevent teenagers from obtaining proper knowledge about their sexual identity.
7. Emergency contraception (Postinor) is equivalent to an abortion pill
Popular belief mistakes emergency contraception with Postinor-2 to be equivalent to abortion pills but this assumption is false. This statement is false. The mechanism of emergency contraception stops both egg release and sperm penetration thus avoiding pregnancy entirely. Using an abortion pill is distinct from using emergency contraception because an abortion pill terminates an ongoing pregnancy.
Women are less likely to use emergency contraception during necessary times because of widespread wrong beliefs about these contraceptive methods leading to increased risks of unwanted pregnancies. A proper understanding of these two different methods helps people solve reproductive health problems effectively.
Conclusion
The spread of false knowledge about sexual and reproductive health negatively affects Nigerian adolescents by raising their rates of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections. Proper sexual health education requires eliminating such false beliefs to provide young people with correct information.
Reliable medical practitioners alongside sexual health educators and respected health organizations serve as proper resources for sexual and reproductive health inquiries. The acquisition of knowledge by ourselves along with others will boost societal well-being and security. Young Nigerians must gain access to precise information while eliminating the social negativity connected to these facts.
