13 Myths About Semen

 13 Myths About Semen

‘The thicker the semen, the better the fertility’, ‘The more semen, the more likely it is to conceive’, ‘As soon as the semen is ejaculated, it swims like a marathon runner and reaches the vagina faster!’ These are common myths about semen, which have no rhyme or reason.

Here, some such myths are debunked.

Myth: The thicker the semen, the better the fertility.

Truth — The thicker or thicker the semen does not necessarily affect fertility. It is good for semen to be slightly thicker. However, if it is too thick, it cannot reach the vagina as easily.

Myth: Sperm quality does not decrease with age.

Truth — When a man crosses the age of 40, his sperm quality continues to decline. This does not mean that an old man cannot father a child. However, the chances of pregnancy decrease due to the decline in sperm quality and the increase in abnormally shaped sperm.

Myth: The sperm runs as fast as an athlete.

Truth - There is a widespread myth about semen - that is, semen runs as fast as an athlete. Which is wrong. Semen does not move at the same speed. It enters at different speeds depending on the man. The woman's vaginal fluid is required for its movement.

Myths: The more semen, the more likely the baby will be born.

Truth - The amount of semen is not required to conceive. Rather, the semen must be healthy. It is not just about healthy semen. For conception to occur, the woman's egg must also be released. Only the union of semen and the ovary is there a chance of conception.

Myth: Semen is alive for a short time.

Truth - Semen only survives for a few hours or a few minutes after ejaculation. However, this is not the case. Semen can survive in a woman's vagina for up to three days after ejaculation. However, it can die in the external environment within a few minutes. How long it should survive also depends on one's physical condition.

Myth: The cause of infertility in men is poor semen quality.

Truth — Overall health affects fertility. Sperm quality is an important factor in male fertility. However, it is not the only factor. Hormone levels, obesity, smoking, alcohol, and some medications can negatively affect fertility.

Myth: Masturbation affects semen production.

Truth — Masturbation does not affect semen production or sperm production at all. It does not affect its quality either.

Myth: Radiation from mobile phones or laptops does not affect sperm.

Truth — Various studies have shown that sitting near these devices for a long time affects sperm health.

Myth: Alcohol and smoking do not affect semen quality. On the contrary, alcohol gives more energy.

Truth — The factors that affect semen the most are alcohol and smoking. It affects the number, production, and quality of sperm. It has also been proven by science that some men have infertility problems.

Myth: Regular sexual intercourse reduces the quality of semen.

Truth — There is no truth in this statement. Regular sexual intercourse does not affect the quality of semen and fertility. Rather, the number of semen may be slightly lower.

Myth: A hot environment does not affect semen.

Truth — No, heat can negatively affect semen. The male reproductive system, especially the testicles, is designed to function at a temperature of about 2-3 degrees Celsius lower than body temperature. An increase in temperature can negatively affect the production, quality, and motility of semen.

Myth: The color of semen indicates health status.

Truth — The color of semen is not an indicator of health. It can only vary for various reasons. Which is normal.

Myth: Fertility is possible with every ejaculation.

Truth — Healthy semen is necessary for reproduction. Weak semen makes it difficult to conceive. Semen contains many unhealthy and incompetent sperm. Only the strongest and healthiest of them go for fertilization.

14 Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer

 14 Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer

What is the HPV vaccine?

The vaccine against cervical cancer is called the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Why get it?

– To prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by the HPV virus

– To prevent cervical cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in women

Who should get it?

– The younger the age, the better

– Most effective in the age group of 9 to 14

– Women can also get it as per the doctor's advice

Where is it available?

This vaccine can be given in private hospitals. Currently, the government is providing it free of charge through the vaccination program campaign.

Who is the free vaccine for?

– Girls from grades 6 to 10, and girls aged 10 to 14 if they do not go to school

When will the vaccination campaign start?

– It will run for 15 days from Magh 23 to Falgun 6.

Which company's vaccine is being given?

– Nepal is currently preparing to provide the Cicoline brand vaccine made in China.

How much should be administered?

– This vaccine is only given once.

How effective is this vaccine?

– It is claimed that this vaccine is 91 percent effective. It is 100 percent safe if administered before becoming sexually active.

Where can the vaccine be administered?

– It can be administered in government and private schools and nearby health institutions in all seven provinces.

Can it be administered individually?

– Women who are not covered by the vaccination campaign can go to a private hospital to get it.

How much does it cost?

– The price of the HPV vaccine in Nepal can range from 3,000 to 10,000 rupees in the private sector.

What happens if you don't get the vaccine?

– If you don't get the vaccine, you can get infected with the HPV virus and develop cervical cancer. Every year, 2,000 people die from cervical cancer in Nepal.

Isn't this vaccine for medical trials?

The HPV vaccine is a reliable vaccine being provided in Nepal under the cervical cancer prevention program in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.

One dose of HPV vaccine is enough

The government gave free HPV vaccine to girls against cervical cancer in Bhadra last year. 10,000 girls who have completed 14 years and have not completed 15 years were given HPV vaccine from central hospitals in all seven provinces. At that time, the vaccine was given in two doses.

But in the nationwide vaccination campaign that will be launched from 22 Magh on the occasion of World Cancer Day, only one dose is being given.

The World Health Organization has recognized three vaccines against cervical cancer, out of which the vaccine being given in Nepal is of the Cicoline brand made in China. The Cicoline brand vaccine was given last Bhadra as well.

But why was the vaccine dose reduced this time?

Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, who is the head of the Child Health and Vaccination Branch, said that the dose of the vaccine was reduced on the recommendation of the new research, guidelines and the Vaccination Advisory Committee. “Research has shown that even one dose works completely,” Dr. Gautam said, “The antibodies that should be formed after vaccination are the ones that are needed to protect the body from the virus.” It turned out that one dose did not make a difference.’

In this campaign, a total of 1.688 million 768 people, including girls from grades 6 to 10 who do not go to school, including girls aged 10 to 14, will be vaccinated. A total of 1.77 million 20 vials of vaccine will be received from Gavi for that. So far, 1.5 million vials of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine used against cervical cancer have been received in three phases. The remaining two will arrive in a few days, according to the Department of Health Services.

The government is conducting a vaccination campaign from Magh 23 to protect girls from cervical cancer. The HPV vaccination campaign will run for 15 days (Magh 23 to Falgun 6). 18,900 schools have been designated as vaccination centers. 8,000 centers have been designated in health institutions other than schools.

Dr. Gautam said that 27,080 health workers, 54,160 volunteers, and 15,674 supervisors will be mobilized for the vaccination campaign. "We have planned to vaccinate girls at the school level from January," Gautam told Online News. "We also vaccinate children outside of school through health institutions."

The HPV virus is contagious and spreads easily. It is mainly transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

According to doctors, the main reasons for the virus infection are getting married at a young age, having children at a young age, having many children, having children in a short period of time, having sex with many people, having unprotected sex, smoking and drinking a lot, and not paying attention to genital hygiene.

According to doctors, 80 percent of people are infected with HPV by the time they reach the age of 30 to 45. If women and men can get vaccinated before they come into contact with the HPV virus, it will give the best results. Because the vaccine prevents infection. But if the virus has already settled in the body, it cannot make it free from infection.

The HPV vaccine also protects against cervical cancer, anal cancer, throat and genital cancer. According to doctors, the HPV vaccine, if administered before sexual intercourse, provides 90 percent protection for life.

Doctors say that since HPV-related cancers may not show any symptoms in the early stages, vaccination and regular screening are necessary. Since the government is unable to easily provide the vaccine, private organizations have been importing and distributing the vaccine at their own expense. Therefore, women are forced to pay high fees for the vaccine.