{"id":6689,"date":"2025-08-22T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6689"},"modified":"2025-08-27T09:22:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T09:22:50","slug":"first-time-sex-a-guide-to-staying-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/first-time-sex-a-guide-to-staying-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"First time sex: a guide to staying safe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sex can be scary when you’re doing it for the first time. There are so many things you have to think about. What will it feel like? How will it affect your relationship with your partner? What if you don’t like it, or like it too much?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these thoughts are completely normal. Most people get a bit worried about their first time. It’s OK to be a little bit excited, a little bit scared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to be able to enjoy your big moment is to be prepared. And there are some things you may have to prepare for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Better2Know, we want you to enjoy your first time while helping to keep you safe from any unwanted outcomes. That means talking about things like unwanted pregnancies and STIs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STIs are especially important to understand. With over 376 million people contracting Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis or Trichomonas annually<\/strong><\/a>, it is essential to protect your health and understand what you may be at risk of during your first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s get into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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First time sex can be scary. Protect yourself and your sexual health with Better2Know.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get tested<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Remember: don’t have sex if you don’t want to<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The idea of having sex for the first time can be very exciting for a lot of people. It can be easy to get swept up in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you continue, ask yourself a few questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Do I like this person? <\/strong>Social pressure can be a powerful force. It can make us forget how we feel about certain things.<\/li>
  • Do I feel safe having sex with this person? <\/strong>First and foremost, it’s important to feel confident that the person you’re having sex with is someone you feel safe feeling vulnerable with.<\/li>
  • Am I doing this because I want to, or because they want to? <\/strong>Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have sex in order to satisfy someone else.<\/li>
  • Am I ready?<\/strong> Sometimes, you’re just not ready, and that’s OK.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    If you’re not satisfied with your answers to these questions, you may want to take some time to decide if this is a good choice for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But if you feel ready to go, great!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some things you’ll want to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You probably want to use contraception<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Unless you’re planning to have a child, you should use contraception to lower the likelihood of unwanted pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) during penetrative sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Condoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    One of the simplest and most effective tools in your sexual health toolkit? The condom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Condoms are thin sheaths\u2014usually made of latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene\u2014that cover the penis during sex. They act as a barrier, preventing semen from entering the vagina, mouth, or anus. This barrier is what makes condoms so effective at reducing the risk of both unwanted pregnancies and STIs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you’re having sex for the first time, it’s likely that neither partner has been exposed to many STIs. That\u2019s great\u2014but it also means you want to keep it that way. Condoms help by blocking the transmission of STIs. They also prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching the egg. On top of that, knowing you’re protected can help reduce anxiety, making the experience more relaxed and confident for both partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When used correctly every time, condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. They are also highly effective at reducing the risk of most STIs, especially those spread through bodily fluids. While no method is perfect, combining condoms with other forms of contraception\u2014like the pill or implant\u2014can offer even greater protection and peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Birth control pill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The birth control pill is a daily medication that contains hormones\u2014usually a combination of estrogen and progestogen, or just progestogen alone. These hormones work by preventing ovulation, which means your body doesn\u2019t release an egg each month. Without an egg, sperm has nothing to fertilise, so pregnancy can\u2019t occur. The pill also thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus, and thins the lining of the womb, which helps prevent implantation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For those having sex for the first time, the pill offers a high level of protection against pregnancy when taken correctly. It can also help regulate periods, reduce menstrual cramps, and improve acne for some people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, it\u2019s important to remember that the pill does not protect against STIs. That\u2019s why many people choose to use condoms alongside the pill\u2014this combination offers both pregnancy prevention and STI protection, giving you peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When taken consistently and correctly\u2014meaning one pill every day at around the same time\u2014the birth control pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. In real-world use, where people sometimes forget a dose or take it late, its effectiveness drops slightly to around 91%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Setting a daily reminder or using a pill-tracking app can help you stay on schedule and maintain its full protective benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other forms of birth control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to condoms and the birth control pill, there is a wide variety of alternative contraception methods for women, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Contraceptive injection<\/strong>: A hormone shot given every 8\u201313 weeks that prevents ovulation and protects against pregnancy.<\/li>
    • Contraceptive implant<\/strong>: A small, flexible rod placed under the skin of your arm that releases hormones to stop pregnancy for up to three years.<\/li>
    • Contraceptive patch<\/strong>: A sticky patch worn on the skin that releases hormones through your skin to prevent pregnancy, changed weekly.<\/li>
    • IUD (intrauterine device or coil)<\/strong>: A small, T-shaped device made of plastic and copper placed in the uterus that prevents pregnancy for 5 to 10 years.<\/li>
    • IUS (intrauterine system or hormonal coil)<\/strong>: A hormone-releasing device placed in the uterus that prevents pregnancy and can reduce heavy periods.<\/li>
    • Female condom<\/strong>: A soft, flexible pouch worn inside the vagina during sex that acts as a barrier to sperm and STIs.<\/li>
    • Vaginal ring<\/strong>: A small, flexible ring inserted into the vagina that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy, replaced monthly.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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