Many find the world of sexual health to be a confusing place, particularly when it comes to myths surrounding sex and you can take care of yourself by checking realefarmacia.

Thankfully, there are a wealth of resources to help debunk these common myths about sexuality. Unfortunately, some of them remain persistent nonetheless.

1. You can’t get pregnant if you’re infected with Chlamydia

Chlamydia is an infection of the genital area (where men or women engage in sexual activity). It can be spread from person to person through sexual contact and even passed onto a baby during childbirth if its mother is already affected.

Sperm problems in men can cause infertility in women. Furthermore, it may cause serious complications during pregnancy, such as pelvic inflammatory disease.

Chlamydia tests can detect infection even if symptoms have not appeared yet. You may request either a urine or swab test to check.

It is essential to use condoms and dental dams during every sexual act. Not only do these protect against chlamydia, but they can also help stop HIV transmission.

Chlamydia should be tested annually, or more frequently if your risk factors for getting it are increased (i.e., having had sex with multiple individuals, being sexually active with different partners or having an STI).

Chlamydia can also be passed on to a baby during childbirth, so pregnant women should get tested and treated to protect the health of their unborn child. It has been known to cause eye infections and pneumonia in babies, making them more prone to being born prematurely or with low birth weight.

Chlamydia can take up to 3 weeks for symptoms to manifest after unprotected sexual activity. If you experience any of these signs, seek medical assistance immediately; antibiotics will likely cure the infection and reduce your chance of developing serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility.

2. You can’t get pregnant if you’re a smoker

Smoking may be a way for men to unwind, but it can actually make it more challenging for them to get pregnant. Studies have even found that smokers take nearly twice as long to conceive than nonsmokers!

Women who smoke during pregnancy face an increased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight babies and premature delivery. These issues can have long-lasting health and lifelong consequences for both the child and their mother.

Smoking can increase a woman’s chances of having a baby with birth defects, such as heart disease, brain damage, limb deficiencies and respiratory issues. These children may need more time in the hospital or develop special medical needs when they reach adulthood.

Cigarette smoke contains toxins which may harm women’s eggs, preventing them from reaching full maturity and leading to infertility. With fewer eggs available for fertilization, women may find themselves with fewer options when trying to conceive.

Quitting smoking can improve a woman’s fertility and decrease her risk of an ectopic pregnancy or early miscarriage. The best way to ensure you do not experience these outcomes is by quitting long before trying to conceive.

Smokers still face a higher risk of becoming pregnant than nonsmokers, even if they only smoke a few cigarettes daily. Furthermore, women exposed to secondhand smoke such as in the home or workplace may experience diminished fertility.

3. You can’t get pregnant if you’re overweight

Obese women face special difficulties when trying to conceive. Obese women may have difficulty ovulating (releasing an egg from their ovaries).

Being overweight can also have adverse effects on fertility. For instance, being overweight increases a woman’s likelihood of developing polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS; this condition leads to irregular periods and infertility.

Women who are overweight may also be at increased risk for thyroid disease, which can negatively impact ovulation. If you have polycystic ovary syndrome or thyroid dysfunction, losing weight will help regulate your hormones and enhance fertility.

Before trying to conceive, it’s important to achieve a healthy weight. A body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-24.9 is considered normal for women to have.

If you’re overweight or obese, discuss with your healthcare provider the possibility of losing weight before trying to conceive. A nutritious diet and regular exercise can help you reach a healthy weight, making it easier to conceive.

Maintaining a healthy weight can improve overall well-being and lower the likelihood of developing diseases like heart disease or high blood pressure. A study published in The American Journal of Cardiology revealed that middle-aged women and men who gained 11-22 pounds after age 20 were up to three times more likely to experience these conditions than those who only gained five pounds or fewer.

Overweight can make it more challenging for you to see your baby during ultrasounds and prenatal exams that check its heart rate.

4. You can’t get pregnant if you’re a vegetarian

People who choose vegetarianism do so for many reasons. Some do it out of religious conviction, while others have intense respect for animals and wish to help them. Eating less meat also has been known to improve one’s health by decreasing the risk of certain diseases.

Vegetarian diets can provide your baby with essential nutrients during pregnancy without compromising your overall well-being. But if you’re not careful, animal-based foods may become deficient in essential minerals like protein, iron, vitamin B12, zinc, calcium, and iodine which are all found in vegetarian sources.

Fortunately, with some careful planning and the use of fortified foods or dietary supplements, you can meet your nutrient requirements on a vegetarian diet. This is especially crucial during pregnancy when more protein than usual is necessary to support the development of your growing baby and guarantee a safe delivery.

Vegetarians should increase their daily protein intake to at least 1.1 grams per kilogram of body weight during pregnancy (about 20% more than when not pregnant). A variety of plant-based sources for protein should also be consumed, such as whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.

Vegetarians should ensure they get enough vitamin B12 during pregnancy to prevent neurological problems and pernicious anemia. Eating fortified foods or taking a supplement with this essential nutrient will ensure adequate supply, especially during the first trimester of gestation.

Vegans abstain from all foods containing meat or fish, as well as any items produced using animal products. Furthermore, they avoid items made of byproducts from animal agriculture like lard and gelatin.

Planning to get all the essential nutrients from a plant-based diet can be challenging, particularly if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. For instance, iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, oats, raisins and artichokes should be eaten more often to meet your iron requirements.

Additionally, make sure you’re getting enough folic acid, iodine, vitamin B12, and other essential nutrients. Since these can be hard to come by naturally, consider taking supplements or fortified foods as needed.

Protein is an essential nutrient for you and your baby, so make sure you get enough of it from plant sources such as legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and soy products. You can source protein from many places on the plant-based food pyramid: legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains and soy products are just a few examples!

Contrary to popular belief, veganism doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t become pregnant. Studies have demonstrated that health-conscious vegan women who follow a balanced plant-based diet and take prenatal vitamins can reduce their risk for developing preeclampsia – an unexpected pregnancy complication.

Being pregnant can be an amazing journey, which is why so many women are opting to become mothers! But, in order to have the most optimal experience possible, it’s essential that you nourish yourself properly. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available that will assist with planning a healthy vegan diet during your pregnancy. Keep reading for essential tips and favorite vegan-pregnancy foods as well as myth busters about vegan pregnancy! You’ll soon be on your way to having the healthiest pregnancy of your life!