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Facts on losing your virginity
Are you ready for it?
There comes a time in everyone’s life when they have to decide whether they would like to have sex and lose their virginity. Whether your first time is with a boyfriend/girlfriend, a friend or a one night stand; it important that you choose to have sex only when you want to. It is also important to be emotionally and physically prepared beforehand.
What is a virgin?
Technically a virgin is someone who has never had penis to vagina sex/penetration. The definition of a virgin is very fluid however; as gay people for example won’t have penis to vagina sex and some people consider oral sex or other types of sex play as ‘real sex’. So, they may count these activities as losing your virginity. The strict definition is still penetrative sex though.
There is nothing wrong with being a virgin. It doesn’t make you odd or weird or backward or any of that. Some people are ready to have sex as soon as they hit 17, whereas others don’t have sex till they get married. It is up to you. The important thing is that you feel able to trust your partner and can be open and honest with him/her.
The legal age of consent:
In Ireland you cannot give your consent to sex until you are 17 years of age. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 makes it a criminal offence to have sex with anyone under the age of 15 years.
When to do it?
Most people prefer to do it with someone they trust and know. That way, they feel more comfortable. Other people lose their virginity spontaneously or on a one night stand. A person should only have sex if they want to and they should not be pressured into it. Losing your virginity won’t suddenly make you more mature or together or cool. In fact, if you lose it with the wrong person you may instead end up feeling lost and vulnerable. On the other hand, if you lose it with the right person, the experience can be passionate, exciting and life affirming.
So, when it comes to losing it, listen to your gut instinct and not what your friends, parents or partner say. What do YOU want? Do YOU want to do it?
Keeping it safe:
Always use contraception. No matter what method you use, condoms are recommended to keep you safe from STI’s. You can find lots of info on contraception here.
