The Biggest Women’s Health Myths

Don't believe the hype!

Don’t Believe the Hype - When it comes to our health, there’s a lot of misinformation out there—misinformation that many of us believe. From fertility to STDs to breast cancer, read about the top women’s health myths out there and why you can’t believe the hype. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: Don Farrall/Getty Images)

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Don’t Believe the Hype - When it comes to our health, there’s a lot of misinformation out there—misinformation that many of us believe. From fertility to STDs to breast cancer, read about the top women’s health myths out there and why you can’t believe the hype. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: Don Farrall/Getty Images)

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You Can’t Get Pregnant If You Pee After Sex - Going to the bathroom after having unprotected sex isn’t going to reduce your chance of getting pregnant. Once the sperm is inside your lady parts, it can stay in there for a week. Also, your uterus and your urethra (where the urine comes from) are not connected. Don’t want to get pregnant? Practice safe sex. (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

A Woman Cannot Get Pregnant While on Her Period - Yes, it’s unlikely, but it’s not impossible. Sperm can stay inside the body for up to a week and if you ovulate during or soon after your period, you can get pregnant. So be mindful about using contraception. (Photo: Thinkstock Images/Getty Images)

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A Woman Cannot Get Pregnant While on Her Period - Yes, it’s unlikely, but it’s not impossible. Sperm can stay inside the body for up to a week and if you ovulate during or soon after your period, you can get pregnant. So be mindful about using contraception. (Photo: Thinkstock Images/Getty Images)

If I Had an STD, I Would Know - While some women may know they have an STD because they are showing clear signs that something is wrong, not all do. Sometimes, STDs are asymptomatic. So if you really want to know your status, get tested. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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If I Had an STD, I Would Know - While some women may know they have an STD because they are showing clear signs that something is wrong, not all do. Sometimes, STDs are asymptomatic. So if you really want to know your status, get tested. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

My Man Isn’t on the Low, So We Don’t Need Condoms - Study after study has shown that down-low men are not fueling the AIDS epidemic among Black women. So why do we still believe it? Think: If heterosexual sex is how we are being infected, that means straight Black men have this disease, too. So rap it up, regardless of who you’re with.(Photo: Touchlife Images/Getty Images)

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My Man Isn’t on the Low, So We Don’t Need Condoms - Study after study has shown that down-low men are not fueling the AIDS epidemic among Black women. So why do we still believe it? Think: If heterosexual sex is how we are being infected, that means straight Black men have this disease, too. So rap it up, regardless of who you’re with.(Photo: Touchlife Images/Getty Images)

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No Family History of Breast Cancer? No Need to Worry - Yes, having a family history of breast cancer can definitely raise your risk for developing the disease, but that doesn’t mean no one else should worry. Any woman can develop breast cancer, especially women who are obese, don’t work out, consume a lot of alcohol and smoke. (Photo: Will & Deni McIntyre/Getty Images)

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No Family History of Breast Cancer? No Need to Worry - Yes, having a family history of breast cancer can definitely raise your risk for developing the disease, but that doesn’t mean no one else should worry. Any woman can develop breast cancer, especially women who are obese, don’t work out, consume a lot of alcohol and smoke. (Photo: Will & Deni McIntyre/Getty Images)

Heart Disease Is a Man’s Disease - Did you know heart disease is actually the number one killer of women? And African-American women are two times as likely to suffer from a range of heart health problems and are more likely to die from it. Sometimes there are no symptoms: Sixty-four percent of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. 

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Heart Disease Is a Man’s Disease - Did you know heart disease is actually the number one killer of women? And African-American women are two times as likely to suffer from a range of heart health problems and are more likely to die from it. Sometimes there are no symptoms: Sixty-four percent of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. 

Black Women Don't Work Out - Yes, we bear the brunt of the obesity epidemic and yes our hair is important to us, but please stop believing that working out is something that we just don’t do, because that’s a lie. From yoga, to Zumba, to CrossFit to running: Black women do exercise. (Photo: Granger Wootz/Getty Images)

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Black Women Don't Work Out - Yes, we bear the brunt of the obesity epidemic and yes our hair is important to us, but please stop believing that working out is something that we just don’t do, because that’s a lie. From yoga, to Zumba, to CrossFit to running: Black women do exercise. (Photo: Granger Wootz/Getty Images)

Exercising While Pregnant Is Dangerous - Some women just cannot exercise during their pregnancy and that’s one thing. But despite what you’ve heard, if your doctor gives you the OK, you should stay active during your pregnancy. Keep it low-impact if you are not used to working out and always stay hydrated. (Photo: Terry Vine/Getty Images)

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Exercising While Pregnant Is Dangerous - Some women just cannot exercise during their pregnancy and that’s one thing. But despite what you’ve heard, if your doctor gives you the OK, you should stay active during your pregnancy. Keep it low-impact if you are not used to working out and always stay hydrated. (Photo: Terry Vine/Getty Images)