A new survey shows a surprising number of people in Britain are uninformed about sex, and talking about sexual health remains too embarrassing for many. The poll of 2,000 people ages 16-50 was commissioned by the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Of those surveyed, 11 percent said standing upright while having sex was an effective method of contraception. Similarly, 19 percent were unaware that a woman can also still get pregnant during her period or if a man withdraws before ejaculating.

In addition, 31 percent said they never discuss sexual health with their partners, and a further 37 percent have never talked about contraception with partners. In fact, 17 percent did not realize viral STDs such as herpes and human papillomavirus would not respond to antibiotic treatment.

Of those who can talk with friends about sex, 62 percent would turn the discussion to a joke. However, 27 percent are too embarrassed to ask questions they may have about sex, and 47 percent would never discuss the subject with friends.