Singapore-based relationship counsellor and clinical sexologist Martha Tara Lee says: “While sex can be a form of exercise, it typically does not burn as many calories as a proper workout. According to [studies], a 30-minute session of moderate-intensity aerobic activity can burn up to 200 calories, while sex typically burns fewer than 100 calories.”

Exercising regularly, on the other hand, does contribute to a better sex life by increasing sex drive.

2. You cannot get pregnant during menstruation

While it’s unlikely to happen, there is a small chance of getting pregnant from having unprotected sex during menstruation, says Hong Kong-based obstetrics and gynaecology specialist Dr Charas Ong Yeu-theng.

As an example, she uses having sex on the seventh day of menstruation and then ovulating on the ninth day.

Since a woman’s ovulation period varies and sperm can survive in the uterus for up to five days, it is possible to get pregnant from unprotected sex while on your period.

“The sperm may still be viable when your egg is released,” Lee agrees. “Additionally, ovulation can occur at any time during your cycle. It is important to use contraception every time to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy.”

3. Emergency pills can be used as a regular form of birth control

Also known as the morning-after pill, emergency contraception works by causing a change in hormone levels, preventing or delaying ovulation.

“As the name implies, it’s to be used in emergency situations, like when you have missed a pill or in the case of sexual assault. The morning-after pill is inferior to other forms of contraception and ‘not reliable’, in layman’s terms,” says Ong.

“It is not as effective as other forms of contraception, and it can have side effects,” adds Lee. “The most common side effects of emergency contraception pills are nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness and lower abdominal pain.

“Other side effects may include changes in menstrual bleeding, fatigue and mood changes.”

4. Most women can orgasm from penetrative sex

A long-standing though misguided notion is that women can easily orgasm from penetrative sex. It seems easy enough for adult-film actresses, but these women act for a living – and the adult-film industry largely caters to heterosexual men.

With around 10,000 nerve endings, the clitoris can be extremely sensitive and responsive. Lee says up to 75 per cent of women require clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm, which is often difficult to achieve during penetrative sex, as the clitoris is largely located outside the vagina.

“The female orgasm is a complex process that involves a combination of physical and psychological factors,” Lee says. “Many women need to be relaxed and in the right mental state to reach orgasm, which can be difficult when engaging in penetrative sex.”

She advises heterosexual couples to explore different types of sexual activity that may help the woman reach orgasm.

5. All STDs have visible symptoms

Some STDs – sexually transmitted diseases – may not show visible symptoms even when one is infected, and these infections can still spread between partners.

“Many STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV, can have no visible symptoms. It is important to get tested regularly to detect any STDs that may be present,” Lee says.

She recommends that sexually active individuals get tested every three to six months.

Sometimes the symptoms can be too subtle to notice, such as an increased discharge from the vagina, penis or anus, pain during urination and/or intercourse, and unusual bleeding. The more obvious symptoms include itchiness, blisters, sores, warts and rashes.

“The only way to know for sure is to get tested [with your sexual partner],” Dr Ong says, although she notes routine testing is not so common in Hong Kong.

The best way to protect yourself from an STD is to always use a condom during sex, especially if you are not in a committed, monogamous relationship with the people you engage in sexual acts with.

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