Many young adults understand the basic foundations of sex education, but misconceptions still abound. For example, a young woman may ask, “Can you get pregnant your first time having sex?” and hear misinformation about how being a virgin makes it impossible to get pregnant.
The straightforward answer is that, yes, a woman can get pregnant the first time she has sex. Anytime ovulation happens pregnancy can occur, and this includes the first time a person has sex.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a potential consequence of sexual intercourse. Most STIs are transmitted through contact with fluids, such as vaginal fluids, blood, or semen. Additionally, some STIs can be transmitted by contact with sores or infected skin. Individuals can be exposed to infected fluids or skin during oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
STIs don’t always present immediately. Sometimes they don’t have any noticeable symptoms, so individuals may not always be aware they’re infected.
Certain behaviors can increase the risk of contracting an STI, including:
Many people become sexually active during adolescence. In the United States, the average age a woman loses her virginity is 17.4 years old. Being young is a risk factor for contracting an STI. Studies show that the earlier individuals engage in sexual intercourse, the higher their STI risk.
Having a partner or partners with an STI significantly increases the risk of infection. When you have sexual intercourse or intimate contact with an individual who already has an STI, they can pass it on to you. Even if your partner is honest and tells you if they know they have an STI, not all STIs display symptoms, so they may be completely unaware they’re passing on an infection to you.
One of the best ways to be safe from STIs is to participate in regular STI testing. It’s a good idea to get tested before every new partner. This test needs to happen before any intimate contact starts; otherwise, there’s a risk the infection can spread. Using condoms can reduce the likelihood of transmitting an STI from one partner to another.
However, condoms are not guaranteed to protect against STIs. They can rip or come off, making it possible to transmit an infection. However, condoms can significantly lower the risk of STIs.
In addition, some STIs, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) or herpes simplex virus (HSV), can be passed through skin-to-skin contact from areas that a condom doesn’t cover. Dental dams or condoms cut lengthwise can be used to cover areas around the genitals and offer more protection.
It’s not uncommon to worry about getting STIs from oral sex. Many STIs can pass between the genitals and the mouth or throat. Some examples include gonorrhea, HPV, HSV, chlamydia, and syphilis.
Individuals may choose to use dental dams or condoms during oral sex to lower the risk of infection. Flavored condoms can make the experience more enjoyable for some.
There are many steps individuals can take to reduce the risk of transmitting an STI:
Partners should discuss contraception choices before initiating sex. Male condoms can be up to 98 percent effective if used correctly and used every time you have sex. While oral contraceptives can be effective for preventing pregnancy, young teenagers and young adults may not use them efficiently enough for proper pregnancy prevention and they don’t offer protection from STIs.
It’s highly recommended to use a condom every time you have sex to prevent unwanted pregnancy and to reduce the risk of STIs. Condoms have to be worn correctly to be effective.
Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg. Sperm enters the body through the vagina, traveling through the cervix and womb to the uterine tubes. If the sperm gets in the uterine tubes, and an egg is present, pregnancy can occur. This process is known as conception.
However, an egg can be fertilized by sperm without sexual penetration. Some examples of how this can occur include:
While it’s unlikely to get pregnant from anal sex, there is some risk. If a couple has anal sex, sometimes the semen can flow down from the area of the rectum to the vulva.
These instances present a relatively low risk of getting pregnant. Sperm can only live for a short time outside the body, so that makes it less likely. However, if you’re looking to avoid pregnancy, it’s important to understand these risks.
A woman can get pregnant the first time she has sex. Anytime a person is ovulating and sperm finds an entry point into the vagina, there is a possibility of pregnancy. Safe sexual practices, such as wearing condoms and minimizing the total number of sexual partners, can help lower the risk of pregnancy and STIs.
