Five sex myths about men exposed

Dr. Aaron Carroll of Indiana University and co-author of "Don't Swallow your Gum: Myths, Half-truths and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health" reveals the truth behind the myths.

1. Men think about sex every 7 seconds

"That is as many times as we breathe everyday. Nobody has that type of mental stamina," Live Science quoted Carroll as saying.

In one of the most comprehensive surveys about sexual habits in the United states, completed by Edward Laumann and colleagues in 1994, 43 per cent of men reported thinking about sex not even once a day, but rather somewhere between a couple times a week to a couple times a month.

2. Single guys have better sex lives than married guys

Conventional wisdom says married men get nothing but slumber in their bedrooms, while single studs are "closing the deal". But it is actually those with the vows that are getting it on.

A 2006 study by the National Opinion Research Center found that husbands get lucky between 28 per cent to more than 400 per cent more often than bachelors, depending on their age.

And it is not a ho-hum roll in the matrimonial bed; not only are married women more likely to be orgasmic, married men also give and get more oral sex.

3. Semen is loaded with calories

According to Dr. Rachel Vreeman, also of Indiana University and Carroll's co-author, seminal fluid is made up of water and nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium and magnesium.

It also contains the sugar fructose but only 5 to 7 calories worth per serving.

"It is unlikely to create a diet issue, but this should not be used in an argument for whatever," Live Science quoted Vreeman as saying.

4.If you shave your beard or head, the hair comes back faster, thicker, and coarser

"If that were true, we'd have a cure for male pattern baldness," Carroll said.

Stubble may look darker and coarser because it has not yet been exposed to sun and other wearing elements. Once it grows in, it looks identical to the hair that was shaved away.

5. Men with big feet also have big penises

It is true that the development of penises and toes (as well as clitorises and fingers) are influenced by the same gene. But the length of one does not predict the length of the other.

In a study of more than 3,000 men, no correlation was found between the self-reported size of feet and that of the crown jewels.

A 2002 study, headed by Jyoti Shah at St. Mary's Hospital in London, compared foot size to carefully measured privates (all 104 penises were stretched to their longest length for consistency). No correlation was found.

5 Best Positions To Get Pregnant Fast

Getting pregnant maybe the easiest of all things, however, some couples do find it hard to conceive for several reasons, including weak or insufficient sperm count.

In some cases, as when nature needs a boost, a little push from you and your partner can go a long way in getting pregnant. When it comes to the best position to get pregnant, the general rule is that the male sperm must be deposited as near to the female cervix as possible.

This has something to do with the life spans of the female egg and the male sperm. Once an egg is released from the ovary – a stage also known as ovulation – it begins its path down the fallopian tube to the uterus. A released egg typically survives for only 24 hours, while a sperm can last anywhere from three to five days in the female body. As such, the egg has to be as close to the egg as possible so they can meet and join before the egg dies.

While not a lot of people will agree that the sexual positions have anything to do with getting pregnant, the logical inference is that it makes sense to assume the position that can help the sperm meet the egg in the shortest possible time.

This is especially true when for couples who have problems or difficulty conceiving. Having said this, the first "best position to get pregnant" tip is to avoid positions that least expose the cervix to the male sperm, and that generally defy gravity such as sex while standing up, sitting down, or with the woman on top. When trying to conceive, it is best to limit the amount of sperm that flows back out of the vagina.

The woman's hips should also be positioned in such a way that the sperm released is kept inside, giving it enough time to swim up to the female cervix.

Consider the following positions instead:

1. The missionary position. Or man-on-top is said to be the position that's best for getting pregnant. This is because this particular position allows for the deepest possible penetration, making it possible for the sperm to get deposited closest to the cervix.

2. Raise the hips. Elevating the hips, which can be done by placing a pillow behind her, can also be helpful because this exposes the female cervix to as much semen as the male can release.

3. Doggy-style. The rear-entry position where the man enters the woman from behind is also a recommended position. In this position, sperm is also deposited closest to the cervix, thereby helping increase the chances of conception.

4. Side-by-side. You can also try having intercourse while lying side by side. This position likewise causes the most exposure of the cervix to the male sperm.

5. Orgasms. Finally, while this has nothing to do with sexual positions, there are also researches that suggest the importance of the female orgasm in conceiving. According to studies, female orgasm leads to contractions that could push sperm up into the cervix. The lesson: have fun while trying to conceive.