{"id":19578,"date":"2021-06-15T10:56:40","date_gmt":"2021-06-15T08:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=19578"},"modified":"2021-06-15T10:56:43","modified_gmt":"2021-06-15T08:56:43","slug":"first-time-sex-everything-you-need-to-know-before-you-lose-virginity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/first-time-sex-everything-you-need-to-know-before-you-lose-virginity\/","title":{"rendered":"First-Time Sex: Everything You Need to Know Before You Lose Virginity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

First sex! What an exciting part of life, and one that you\u2019re feeling ready to take on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking about having first-time sex<\/a><\/a> can bring up all sorts of emotions \u2013 excitement, worries, confusion, fear, and more. All these feelings are totally normal and to be expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be hard to know the right person to talk to about having sex for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re full of questions, we\u2019ve got some answers and other things to think about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Losing Your Virginity, Nothing To Be Afraid Of <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re working hard to get away from the phrase \u201closing virginity<\/a>\u201d. Instead of thinking that someone is taking something away from you, like your \u201cvirginity\u201d, you can think of it like you\u2019re gaining something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have sex you are able to have a new way of connecting with someone that you care about, a tool to experience pleasure, and a way to learn about your body and what it likes. Exciting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, you get to use what language feels right for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Sex Feel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While most people think of sex as penis in vagina, that is not always the case \u2013 especially for sexual partners that don\u2019t have that particular genital configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defining sex for yourself means that if an act you\u2019re doing feels like sex to you, you can call it that. Things like oral sex, masturbation, and anal sex can be considered sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to note that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be spread through sexual contact outside of genitals against genitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That brings us to our next topic\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting Yourself From STIs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The thought of contracting an STI<\/a> can feel like the end of the world. In most cases, it\u2019s not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like other viruses and bacteria, STIs are a normal part of biology, and they do happen. In most cases, they are treatable or are not as bad as people make them out to be. Many of the most common STIs are treatable with antibiotics and have no long-term side effects if caught early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best ways to protect yourself and your partners from contracting STIs are prevention and communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevention includes getting an STI test in between new partners, using barrier methods like a condom or diaphragm (an internal condom that goes inside the vagina), knowing the signs and symptoms of an STI, and avoiding sexual contact if you have a genital rash or sore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication means asking any new sexual partner when their most recent STI test was (or if they\u2019re having sex with multiple people), and telling someone ASAP if you do happen to get an STI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventing Pregnancy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a uterus, the other biggest thing on your mind most likely is avoiding getting pregnant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While your cycle is more likely to be irregular in your teen years, understanding how ovulation<\/a> works can help you better see how and when someone can get pregnant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re thinking about going on birth control, there are so many options available to you! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main non-permanent birth control options are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n