Common myths about women's health

Women have been getting health advice since childhood, and, shockingly, much of it is pure nonsense! Unfortunately, many women can go their entire lives still believing these falsehoods, so it’s time to debunk some of these myths.

Check out this gallery to see some of the biggest women's health myths out there. Maybe you'll recognize some of these from your own experience...

Doing ab exercises will get you a six-pack

Unfortunately, this is indeed only a myth. Even if you do all the ab exercises out there, it won't naturally give you a six-pack. It will only truly show if you’re watching your nutrition and focus on reducing body fat to 20% or less. So unless you’re a fitness model, there's no point in obsessing over abs!

Certain foods will help you get pregnant

It’s believed that eating certain foods, like yams or goji berries, will help struggling women conceive. However, there are no miracle foods for this.

You'll gain a ton of weight after menopause

One of the scariest myths about menopause is the weight gain due to hormonal changes. The truth is that menopause is different for every woman, but actual weight gain is not relatable.

You can drink cranberry juice to cure a UTI

Urinary tract infections, better known as UTIs, are the worst and tricky to get rid of. Sadly, the cranberry juice hack is just a myth with no proof of actually being a cure.

If you wear face makeup, there's no need for sunscreen

Your foundation and powder isn't going to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, so don't skip on the sunscreen.

Using a yogurt-covered tampon can help with yeast infections

Please don’t put a yogurt-covered tampon anywhere in your body! The myth goes that the good bacteria can cure the yeast infection, but it’s not the same bacteria that will keep your vagina healthy.

Using birth control makes it harder to get pregnant later on

Many women believe years of using birth control will make it less likely they'll get pregnant when going off it. But the truth is you can get pregnant just as easily as if you hadn't been on birth control in the first place. The difficulty might just be caused to being closer to menopause, not from the actual pill.

Your libido decreases as you get older

While menopause can affect your libido, it’s not a guarantee. There have even been studies that show an increase in sexual satisfaction post-menopause, maybe as a result of not having to worry about accidentally getting pregnant!

You can't get pregnant while you're breastfeeding

The chances are low, but it’s not impossible, as your ability to ovulate can return during this period.

You can't get pregnant if you're on your period

You might think you can have unprotected sex during your period without any worries of getting pregnant, but the truth is it’s not impossible. The sperm can stay alive in your body for up to five days, so there's still a chance that it can reach your egg while ovulating post-period.

Deodorant causes breast cancer

The link between breast cancer and deodorant has been highly debated, and some scientists believe there’s a connection due to the potentially harmful ingredients applied near the breasts. However, no actual evidence has been found.

It's dangerous to exercise during pregnancy

This was an old notion so that pregnant women would take it easy. But today it’s recommended for women to get 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise during pregnancy. Of course, always check with your doctor first.

Missing your period means you're pregnant

While it’s a common reason, there are also plenty of other explanations for missing your period. Other factors might be high levels of stress, excessive exercise, or extreme weight loss. But it’s best to always check with a gynecologist.

It's possible for your period to sync up with your BFF

You’ve probably heard that all the hours spent with your bestie can sync up your flows. The truth is, however, that this has nothing to do with hormones, but rather numbers. Over time, if a woman has a three-week cycle and another a five-week cycle, they will eventually see their periods go in and out of sync.

You don't have to worry about heart disease if you're a woman

Even though heart diseases are more common with men, women have to be attentive, too, as it’s unfortunately the number one cause of death.

Green mucus means you're sick

This just sounds yucky, but the truth is you can’t rely on the color or consistency of your mucus as a sign of infection or not. In fact, green mucus might mean it’s doing its job and protecting your body.