Myth 1: Masturbation is harmful.

The Experts Say: Wrong. Masturbation is a natural phenomenon to help relieve sexual tension and is a normal physiological reaction for young people without a regular sexual life. Professor Broderick of the University of Southern California believes this myth derives from the further myth that sperm was strength for life. Chiang Han-sheng, Director of the Department of Urology at the Taipei Medical College says the real "harm" has been in the burden of guilt that often unnecessarily follows masturbation.

Myth 2: The only way to deal with sexual stimulation is masturbation.

T.E.S.: Not necessarily. Family doctor Tony Shieh says that the most direct way to reduce sexual stimulation is exercise, which lowers seminal vesicle activity, releases energy, and preempts blood from filling up the sex organ. Besides this, a cold shower before bed, light calisthenics, wearing loose-fitting underwear, avoiding a too-warm blanket, and keeping an active lifestyle to tire oneself out are all ways to help overcome excessive sexual desire.

Myth 3: Sperm is extremely precious.

T.E.S.: In fact, sperm is a combination of many elements from the testicles, spermary, prostate, and coplikes. It mainly is composed of fructose and protein. It is naturally replaced by the body and not all that precious. Many young people have night emissions and worry that these will affect their health; this is in fact an unnecessary worry.

Myth 4: The size of a male reproductive organ is directly related to manliness.

T.E.S.: Size does not a hero make. Dr. Chiang Han-sheng says that "Phobia microphallus" (worry over penis size) is a major cause of sexual depression in the R.O.C., partly because it was one of the nine male defects in traditional thinking, and partly because many are influenced by the exaggerated emphasis on penis size in pornographic films. In fact, after erection, differences in penis size are limited.

Furthermore, penis size is not related to satisfaction in one's sex life. The woman's vagina adapts to the penis size and cannot feel the difference between organs of different sizes.

Myth 5: Girls should avoid vigorous activity when young to protect their hymens.

T.E.S.: The issue is put wrong: one should avoid premarital sex or rigorous activity to avoid psychological or physical problems which may result, not to protect the hymen.

In fact, for most women the hymen is not a good indicator of virginity. In the first place, it is not a "seal" but already includes space for the release of secretion or blood. Second, for most women the hymen is fragile and can be easily broken in activities from sex to use of sanitary napkins to riding a bicycle. And because there is only a small pain and a little bleeding when the hymen is broken and it quickly heals, it is possible the woman would be unaware of the break.

Because of this, the only reliable definition of a virgin is unrelated to the condition of the hymen, but is simply one who has had no sexual relations or sexual experience, suggests Dr. Tony Shieh.

Myth 6: The lack of male offspring is the fault of the mother.

T.E.S.: Wrong! Dr. Li Tzu-yao of National Taiwan University Hospital notes that it is the sperm that is decisive. If sperm carrying the Y chromosome hooks up with the ovum, the child must be a boy. If the sperm carries the X chromosome, the child will be a girl. Thus it could be said that the problem lies with the father, but since he has no power of choice in the matter, really no person is responsible for the sex of a child.

Dr. Feng Jung advises young people with questions about sex to go and use proper channels to seek information about sex through their school guidance counselors, health teachers, and medical specialists. Doubts and psychological difficulties are best resolved by talking about them.

[Picture Caption]

Exercise is one way to help dissipate sexual energy. (photo by Arthur Cheng)