The Justisse Body Literacy Myth Busters Quiz

1. Cervical mucus is a healthy part of a woman's cycle.

True

False

Cervical mucus is normal and important. Monitoring cervical mucus can help a woman detect her fertile window. It can be pasty, sticky, tacky, stretchy, cloudy, clear, or yellow.

Explanation

Cervical mucus is normal and important. Monitoring cervical mucus can help a woman detect her fertile window. It can be pasty, sticky, tacky, stretchy, cloudy, clear, or yellow.

2. Menstrual cycles are always 28 days.

True

False

Actually, a normal menstrual cycle can vary from about 25-36 days. And not only do cycles vary substantially among women, they often vary within each individual woman.

Explanation

Actually, a normal menstrual cycle can vary from about 25-36 days. And not only do cycles vary substantially among women, they often vary within each individual woman.

3. Ovulation always happens on Day 14.

True

False

The idea that ovulation occurs on day 14 of every woman’s cycle comes from scientific assumptions of the early 1900s. Based on animal studies, it was believed that women’s menstrual cycles are 28 days long and that ovulation occurs 14 days before menstruation. For some women, this may be true. For many women this is simply not the case. This idea, now a myth, led to the obsolete, ineffective rhythm method.

Explanation

The idea that ovulation occurs on day 14 of every woman’s cycle comes from scientific assumptions of the early 1900s. Based on animal studies, it was believed that women’s menstrual cycles are 28 days long and that ovulation occurs 14 days before menstruation. For some women, this may be true. For many women this is simply not the case. This idea, now a myth, led to the obsolete, ineffective rhythm method.

4. The cervix changes throughout a woman's cycle.

True

False

During the infertile phases of the cycle, the cervix is closed, firm, and tilted toward the rectum. During fertile days, the cervix opens slightly, becomes soft, and aligns with the opening of the vagina.

Explanation

During the infertile phases of the cycle, the cervix is closed, firm, and tilted toward the rectum. During fertile days, the cervix opens slightly, becomes soft, and aligns with the opening of the vagina.

5. There may be pain or cramping at the time of ovulation called mittleschmerz.

True

False

Some women experience one-sided, lower abdominal pain associated with ovulation called mittleschmerz. It means "middle pain" in German.

Explanation

Some women experience one-sided, lower abdominal pain associated with ovulation called mittleschmerz. It means "middle pain" in German.

6. Sexual arousal causes ovulation.

True

False

The myth that ovulation in women occurs with sexual arousal began in the 1920s. Scientists discovered that rabbits ovulate when sexually aroused. The rumour spread that the same was true for women. This is an unfounded rumour indeed! If women were like rabbits, every act of intercourse would result in pregnancy.

Explanation

The myth that ovulation in women occurs with sexual arousal began in the 1920s. Scientists discovered that rabbits ovulate when sexually aroused. The rumour spread that the same was true for women. This is an unfounded rumour indeed! If women were like rabbits, every act of intercourse would result in pregnancy.

7. The uterus is the size and shape of a pear.

True

False

Yes! And the ovaries are the size of almonds. And the cervix is the size of a grape with a dimple!.

Explanation

Yes! And the ovaries are the size of almonds. And the cervix is the size of a grape with a dimple!.

8. A woman can become pregnant at any time during her cycle.

True

False

A woman can only become pregnant when an egg is released from the ovary and becomes available for fertilization by a sperm. This is called ovulation. Ovulation is an event that occurs only on one day in each menstrual cycle. Within that one-day period, the ovaries will release one egg (and occasionally two or three in the case of non-identical twins and triplets). Due to hormonal changes that occur after ovulation, other eggs cannot be released until after the next menstrual flow.

Explanation

A woman can only become pregnant when an egg is released from the ovary and becomes available for fertilization by a sperm. This is called ovulation. Ovulation is an event that occurs only on one day in each menstrual cycle. Within that one-day period, the ovaries will release one egg (and occasionally two or three in the case of non-identical twins and triplets). Due to hormonal changes that occur after ovulation, other eggs cannot be released until after the next menstrual flow.

9. Fertilization occurs in the uterus.

True

False

Fertilization actually occurs in the outer third of the fallopian tubes, and not in the uterus, as many people think. Implantation on the other hand, does occur in the uterus.

Explanation

Fertilization actually occurs in the outer third of the fallopian tubes, and not in the uterus, as many people think. Implantation on the other hand, does occur in the uterus.

10. A human egg only lives 12-24 hours.

True

False

It's true! A human egg can only survive 12-24 hours after being released from the ovary. The only reason women are considered fertile for longer than 24 hours is because sperm can live in a woman's body for up to five days if fertile quality cervical mucus is present.

Explanation

It's true! A human egg can only survive 12-24 hours after being released from the ovary. The only reason women are considered fertile for longer than 24 hours is because sperm can live in a woman's body for up to five days if fertile quality cervical mucus is present.

11. Women are infertile during menstruation.

True

False

The mistaken belief that ovulation occurs on day 14 has misled women to think that they cannot be fertile while menstruating. Though not common, it is possible for ovulation to occur as early as day five of a woman’s cycle. A woman can detect fertility by charting the appearance of cervical mucus – even during menstruation. Also, it is possible to have bleeding or spotting at other times during the cycle and these can coincide with ovulation.

Explanation

The mistaken belief that ovulation occurs on day 14 has misled women to think that they cannot be fertile while menstruating. Though not common, it is possible for ovulation to occur as early as day five of a woman’s cycle. A woman can detect fertility by charting the appearance of cervical mucus – even during menstruation. Also, it is possible to have bleeding or spotting at other times during the cycle and these can coincide with ovulation.

12. Basal body temperature will predict ovulation.

True

False

Basal body temperature is a measure of metabolism. After ovulation, the shift in progesterone causes a rise in metabolism. Basal body temperature confirms that ovulation has already happened. It has no predictive value.

Explanation

Basal body temperature is a measure of metabolism. After ovulation, the shift in progesterone causes a rise in metabolism. Basal body temperature confirms that ovulation has already happened. It has no predictive value.

13. Worrying about a late period may only delay it.

True

False

Stress does not delay one's menstrual period; it can only delay ovulation. Once ovulation has occurred, the woman's body has already determined when she will menstruate. In other words, while it is possible to delay ovulation with stress, the time from ovulation to menstruation varies little from cycle to cycle.

Explanation

Stress does not delay one's menstrual period; it can only delay ovulation. Once ovulation has occurred, the woman's body has already determined when she will menstruate. In other words, while it is possible to delay ovulation with stress, the time from ovulation to menstruation varies little from cycle to cycle.