15 Times People Were Very, Very, Very Incorrect About Women's Anatomy
Although there are billions of women in the world, our anatomy is still misunderstood by a significant portion of the population. And it doesn't help that women's sexuality and reproductive health are often considered "taboo" and therefore not discussed. However, this lack of knowledge doesn't stop people from making WILD assumptions about women's bodies...
That's why when Redditor u/Sad-Opening-6531 asked, "What is the worst case of someone not understanding women's anatomy you have experienced?" women were more than happy to share the most unhinged misconceptions they had ever heard about their own anatomy. From blue period blood to constant lacation — here are 15 of their most shocking responses:
1."I was dating a guy who suddenly became very conservative and anti-abortion. He was also anti-birth control because, according to him, 'It's like getting an abortion every month.'"
"I tried to tell him that birth control keeps sperm from reaching the egg or stops the fertilized egg from implanting. However, he interrupted me to say, 'That's ridiculous. Women don't have eggs, they're not chickens.'
I then asked him how he thought human babies were made and he said, 'The sperm goes up the vagina, into the ovary, and grows the baby.'
He could not answer what the uterus was or what it did."
—u/AshamedPurchase
2."I had a friend, who at 20 years old, genuinely believed women did not have buttholes and therefore, did not poop. He thought when we farted it came out of our vaginas. Mind you, he had a girlfriend and was not a virgin. She was the most shocked when he admitted this to the group."
—u/GraphicDesignMonkey
3."When I was in Air Force technical school, I met a woman my age (19 at the time) who was convinced the umbilical cord carried SOLID FOOD to the fetus. She refused to believe otherwise. Her evidence: 'My niece and nephew pooped after being born, so you're wrong.'"
"I had never met anyone so disarmingly dumb, and I still question how she managed to snag a job that (at the time) required one of the highest ASVAB scores across all military services."
—u/Forevernevermore
4."A coworker (who was over 60) went to the doctor because her breasts were hurting, and she was constantly out of breath and tired. She was scared because she thought it could be breast cancer."
"She went to a male doctor (also in his 60s). He scanned my coworker with his eyes and declared, 'I think your breasts are still growing." She walked out after he said that and prescribed her medicine for the 'pain.'
A different doctor later diagnosed her with lung issues."
—u/random_banan_75547
5."One of my classmates asked me if women really bleed blue. I was like, 'What?' This dude thought we had blue periods because 'in the pad commercials they pour some blue liquid, and I figured that's period blood.' I asked him why he thought some blood in our bodies was blue and some was red?"
"But seriously, why do pad commercials show the blue liquid when movies are okay with showing blood, guts, and brains?"
—u/Desperate-Exit692
6."When I was pregnant, I was a few centimeters dilated for several days before the baby was born. I was home for those days and told my sister what was going on. She asked me later that night if I was 3cm dilated and I told her I didn't know because I hadn't checked."
"She was shocked that I wasn't at the hospital. She told me I should get my partner to check it out with a ruler. She thought 'dilated' meant the baby's head was out a couple of centimeters; she didn't know it was referring to the cervix.
The kicker? She was also pregnant at the time."
—u/Relevant_Tax_3737
7."I had a friend in high school who was convinced that it was anatomically impossible for a woman to get pregnant the first time she had sex; In her mind, you didn't need to use condoms for your first time. She thought if you didn't use a condom, but stood up immediately after sex and didn't lie down for 2-3 hours, it would be 90% effective, so it wasn't a big deal if you forgot them occasionally."
"I couldn't understand how that made sense, so I asked her to explain it. She looked at me as though I were dumb for not understanding. Her idea: Before the hymen broke (she seemed to think it was like a freshness seal), the body wasn't capable of producing babies. After the hymen broke, it took time for your body to switch on the 'baby-making' part of the uterus.
She held on to this misconception even after she had sex the first time, and it's truly a miracle she never got pregnant."
—u/all-you-need-is-love
8."In nursing school, before we catheterize real people, we must attend clinical skills training. The university had lots of anatomical dummy things to use. I was in a group with two other women, and we started with one of the female dummies. They kept putting the catheter up the vagina and couldn't figure out why the bladder wasn't draining."
"I don't know what education they received growing up, but they were grown women in the second year of a nursing degree, who didn't know that women don't urinate out of their vaginas. I had to show them where the urethra was and they were gobsmacked."
—u/smooth_relation_744
9."One day, I was on my period and felt like crap. A friend and I were supposed to go to the pool that day, but I told him I didn't feel comfortable getting in the water and I had really bad cramps due to my period."
"He looked at me and said, 'Can't you just hold it in and make your period stop for like an hour so you can enjoy the water. You know, like how you can hold in a sneeze?'
I thought he was being a smart ass but, no, I had to explain it to him."
—u/noonecaresat805
10."This one was extremely concerning because it came from my male gynecologist: When I went for my annual check up, I informed him that I had a polyp at my vagina which was left unnoticed. Due to its placement, it was undetected during my pap because the speculum was in its way."
"After confirming it was there, he wrapped up the consultation and told me my non-surgical option would be to have rough sex with my partner, and hope the friction would buff it out while we were having a 'good time.'
Safe to say I have never returned to him."
—u/eNgicG_6
11."A group of allegedly 'sexually experienced' guys at my school confidently exclaimed that the female orgasm is a myth — meaning that women are physically unable to orgasm."
"When one guy spoke up to say his girlfriend had definitely orgasmed, they told him she was lying and emotionally manipulating him."
—u/jetkism
12."My husband and I were the only married people in our friend group for years. We wanted to have four kids, so we made a general timeline of when we needed to start trying to conceive each one. Because we had to plan for specific times, we were out of sync with our friends who went on fun trips and attended drinking events every weekend."
"After a while, one of our friends genuinely asked why we couldn't just put it off and have kids later (we're in our thirties).
He did not know what menopause was. We had to explain to him that if we want four kids, we can't start trying to have them at 50."
—u/carmelkat
13."Once, I tried to convince a friend to go to a concert with me at a local bar. She declined because she was on her period. I asked her why that affected her going out. Did she feel sick or have cramps? Nope."
"She didn't want to go out because drinking made her pee more, which meant she'd be changing her tampon all the time. I asked her to explain, and she said she changed her tampon every time she peed because the pee gets into the tampon.
I had to explain to her that, no, pee doesn't get into her tampon. She can change her tampon as needed, typically every 4 hours, or if she starts to leak. She doesn't need to change it when she pees every 30 minutes.
She still didn't go with me."
—u/gonzothegreatz
14."I had to explain to a friend that her husband did not enter her uterus when they had sex. She had no idea that the vagina is a muscle, or that the cervix is a barrier between the vagina and uterus."
"I told her if he was 'stabbed' by her IUD, she needed to go to the doctor because it was not placed correctly or her body was experiencing something horrendous."
—u/Syzygy_872
15."I had an ex-boss who had very dumb ideas about women's anatomy..."
"First, he believed that a pregnant person can predict or control the date of their non-induced delivery. We learned this when he tried to write up a male coworker who 'wouldn't' tell him what day his paternity leave would start.
Once he learned the truth, he tried to save face by saying he wished our office had a father's room equivalent to the mother's. We pressed him on this, and he admitted that he thought the room was for napping instead of pumping. 'Dads need to nap too, right?'
When we corrected him about the use of the room, he told us that women constantly lactated, regardless of pregnancy status. The amount of lactation was directly proportional to the size of the breasts in question.
Then he pointed directly to my chest (I have large breasts) and stated that he was surprised I wasn't pumping all the time. I've never even been pregnant.
He was fired within the hour."
—u/DarkField_SJ
Which one of these misconceptions surprised you most? What's the most incorrect thing you've ever heard someone say about women's anatomy? Tell us in the comments or answer anonymously using the form below!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
30 minutes ago
- Washington Post
'Gas station heroin' is technically illegal and widely available. Here are the facts
WASHINGTON — Health officials want you to think twice before buying one of those brightly colored little bottles often sold at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops. Sometimes called 'gas station heroin,' the products are usually marketed as energy shots or cognitive supplements but actually contain tianeptine, an unapproved drug that can be addictive and carries risks of serious side effects.
CNET
37 minutes ago
- CNET
6 Electrolyte-Rich Foods That Are More Hydrating Than Plain Water
You probably associate dehydration with hot weather. So with the official start to summer drawing near, now is the time reassess your hydration goals. Are you drinking enough water? Dehydration symptoms include muscle cramps, headaches, fatigue and dry skin. In fact, since cold weather can reduce our sense of thirst, it's particularly important that you pay attention to your hydration levels during colder months. Most people will tell you to drink more water to stay hydrated. While that's the best way, what do you do if you don't enjoy it? Fortunately, according to an expert, there are hydrating foods full of electrolytes that can help you replenish your body's minerals while satisfying your thirst. These are the top foods to focus on in the new year. How to tell if you're hydrated Hydration needs vary based on your size, activity level and how much you sweat. Gabriela Barreto, a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist says there are two indicators of hydration level: your thirst and the color of your urine. "Drinking to thirst can be appropriate for most individuals to maintain their hydration levels and as for urine, you're looking for a pale yellow color," says Barreto. She says the only times you shouldn't be concerned about the color of your urine are during your first pee of the morning because it tends to be dark, or if you are taking vitamin B supplements, which make urine more likely to appear bright yellow. Barreto recommends that besides food and water, a hydration supplement such as Skratch can benefit individuals with active jobs and people who work out or spend a lot of time in the heat outdoors. "Utilizing a hydration product can be useful to increase your body's water stores," she says. "I recommend a hydration product with 300 to 500 milligrams of sodium and preferably about 20 grams of carbohydrates." Keep in mind an electrolyte drink without carbohydrates will help with rehydration, too, just not as efficiently. So make sure to read the labels first to choose the best option for your needs. A glass is water is not the only option if you are foods are most hydrating? Most foods contain some amount of water, but it probably won't surprise you to learn that fruits and vegetables are at the top of the list. To get the most out of these hydrating fruits and vegetables, make sure you follow standard dietary guidelines. Barreto says, "Dietary guidelines recommend two to three servings of fruit and three to four servings of vegetables for most adults." There are no specific guidelines for hydrating fruits and veggies, but by eating the daily recommended amount of produce you will be adding to your hydration, she says. It is estimated that 20% to 30% of fluid needs can come from food, including fruits and veggies. By combining certain foods, you can boost your hydration. "When looking to adequately rehydrate, carbohydrates, fluid and sodium are key," says Barreto, adding, "Carbohydrates are important for optimizing water and sodium absorption in the body." Watermelon and other melons Watermelon isn't just a fruit that is synonymous with summer, it's also highly hydrating. It's made up of 92% water and has antioxidants, important nutrients like vitamins A and C, magnesium, fiber and lycopene (a pigment found in red, yellow or orange-colored fruits and vegetables). Other melons such as cantaloupe are also made up of 90% water and are a good source of potassium, folate, as well as vitamins A and C. Barreto says one hydrating recipe to try is a cucumber and watermelon salad with lime, mint and salty feta. As previously mentioned, the sodium and carbohydrates will help the body easily absorb the water from the fruit. Barreto points out that for this reason, you'll also notice some sports dietitians recommend sprinkling some salt on your watermelon. Cucumbers Cucumbers are made up of 95% water and consist of vitamins like vitamin K, magnesium and potassium. This refreshing veggie can be easily added to salads, sandwiches, water or eaten on its own. Its high water content also makes it a low-calorie vegetable and is an ideal food to add to your diet if you're looking to lose weight and feel full longer. Squash This versatile vegetable does well as an addition to soups, stir-fries, salads and as a side. Popular summer squashes like zucchini are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber and are made up of 94% water. The high water and fiber content will keep you full and hydrated for an extended period. Strawberries This popular summer fruit is full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, manganese and folate. It's an easy fruit to add into smoothies, yogurt, salads or eat on its own. Strawberries are made up of 91% water, making them the perfect fruit to quench your thirst and satisfy your sweet tooth. Many seasonal fruits and vegetables can help keep you hydrated. Getty Images Lettuce and other leafy greens Make a salad out of lettuce and other greens like lettuce, watercress, spinach or bok choy, which have high water content and provide lots of vitamins and minerals. Lettuce consists of 96% water and has folate, fiber and vitamins K and A. Spinach is high in iron, folic acid, calcium and vitamins C and A. Watercress, meanwhile, provides 100% of the recommended dietary intake for vitamin K, which is an essential nutrient for blood clotting and maintaining healthy bones. Bok choy is abundant in vitamins K and C, which means any combination of these greens is guaranteed to provide you with a salad full of nutrients. Citrus fruits If you enjoy oranges, grapefruits, limes and other citrus fruits, then eat up. Citrus fruits tend to be made up of about 80% water, making them good options for hydration. They are also high in vitamin C and fiber and are good for supporting your immune system. They're even versatile enough to add to fruit salads, eat on their own, add to water or salads and even as a marinade for proteins, such as chicken or fish.
CNET
39 minutes ago
- CNET
The Aging Brain: 6 Things You Should Be Doing to Slow Cognitive Decline
When it comes to healthy aging, we tend to focus a lot on body health by exercising and eating well. One thing you might not be thinking about is brain health. But you should be. Your brain runs the rest of your body, and as we age, it changes, too. Cognition declines over time due to several factors, including age-related structure changes, brain injuries or excess stress hormones. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in nine American adults over 65 report cognitive decline. "The parts of our brain that help with learning information and remembering can become smaller, and the brain can weigh less as we age," said Colleen Marshall, chief clinical officer for Two Chairs. Aging doesn't happen at the same rate for everyone, but we all experience it in one way or another. Focusing on brain fitness now may help you slow the change and ensure your brain stays sharp through the years. How to start nourishing your brain for healthy aging 1) Solve puzzles We'll start with the easiest strategy to integrate into your daily life: puzzles. Solving puzzles can benefit the brain in several ways, from improving memory to boosting problem-solving skills. "They may slow the rate of cognitive decline and how quickly the brain decreases in size as we age," Marshall said. A study published in the journal Neurology reported that playing games like checkers or completing jigsaw puzzles can delay the onset of Alzheimer's by about five years. Different research supports the idea that solving crossword puzzles or journaling can lower the risk of dementia. Experts suggest that puzzles help curb cognitive decline because they expand the brain's cognitive reserve, or the ability to solve and cope with problems. Activities to try include putting together jigsaw puzzles or solving other types of puzzles, such as Sudoku, crosswords, memory games and math problems. 2) Learn a new skill Like stimulating the brain by playing games or solving puzzles, learning a new skill has short-term and long-term advantages. By learning a new skill, you're strategically activating several parts of your brain simultaneously. You're also promoting neuroplasticity by creating new pathways and strengthening those connections as you continue honing the skill. It could be learning a new language, painting or trying out a new sport. Just make sure it's challenging or complex, and continue to practice for the best brain results.3) Prioritize sleep Sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your body. While I'm not saying there's a right or wrong way to sleep, research suggests that how much sleep you get and the quality of your sleep influence your risk for dementia. According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, a single night of sleep deprivation can age your brain. A lot goes on in the brain while we sleep, including clearing out toxins and creating new neural pathways. If you don't get enough sleep, your brain doesn't have time to carry out these functions and cognition suffers. Establishing a bedtime routine can have a big impact on your sleep quality. From reading a book to practicing yoga before bed, integrating relaxation into your night can help boost your sleep. 4) Focus on your nutrition What you eat also will influence the rate of cognitive decline you experience as you age. Studies have found that people who follow the Mediterranean and MIND (Mediterranean Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diets tend to have fewer cognitive impairments and dementias compared to those following other diets. More research is needed to conclude why this is true. However, it might have something to do with the way those diets prioritize foods that protect the brain with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Read more: Master the Mediterranean Diet With the Help of These Tips and Recipes No matter if you choose to follow a strict diet or just improve your current meal rotation, you'll want to focus on improving your blood sugar and dropping high levels of LDL cholesterol to reduce your risk of dementia. Foods to incorporate into your diet for better brain health: Leafy greens like spinach, kale and lettuce Salmon Dark berries Nuts Greek yogurt Dark chocolate Green tea Vegetables like broccoli and carrots 5) Exercise Studies have found that following an active lifestyle is associated with lower cognitive decline over time. Your heart rate increases when you exercise, which increases blood flow to the brain. This can help spark new development of nerve cells, a process called neurogenesis. Exercise also promotes increased connections between cells, making the brain more adaptive. Generally, any exercise that's good for the body will also help the mind. It doesn't have to be lifting weights; walking, swimming and dancing also achieve the same results. Read more: How Exercise Helps Boost Your Memory-Brain Health as You Age6) Make connections with others Marshall pointed out that prioritizing high-quality relationships with others can benefit the brain. According to a meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies, limited or poor relationships were associated with cognitive decline. Prioritizing social contact is an essential part of aging well. Whether spending time with your family or putting yourself out there at your local community center, staying connected is an integral part of aging gracefully. Too long; didn't read? Our brains change as we age; there is no way around it. However, integrating any of these easy habits into your routine can help nourish and safeguard your brain for the future. There are also a few things you should avoid to keep your brain in top shape. Heavy cigarette smoking has been associated with cognitive decline in middle age. Marshall added that heavy drinking, poor diet and unmanaged high blood pressure can also negatively impact the brain as we age. Don't worry; there's still time to turn it around. Even if you smoke now, quitting has the potential to return your risk of cognitive decline to a level that's comparable to those who never smoked.
