Hi Amalthea

The descision to have sexual intercouse with someone is a very personal descision. As mentioned by others it is more than just the physical act of having sex or making love. For most womyn it is a VERY emotional experience whether it is your 1st time or 100th time having sex. You should have sexual intercouse when YOU are ready. Don't bench mark your sense of what is normal and not normal by your peers or media influences. We all mature emotionally and physically at different rates. And its ok!

I would recommend that you educate yourself about sexual intercouse and sexuality before having sex. For instance:

>Birth Control: what method of birth control would be best for your body and lifestyle?

>STDs and/or STIs: educate yourself on the various types of diseases and viruses that you can contract (as well as images of what the condition looks like and whether or not there is a cure for it).

>Openly discuss sex and sexuality with your intended sexual partner in a non-threatening environment. What are your expectations for sexual intercourse and what are his?

>Explore why you are apprehensive about having sexual intercourse?

>You may have thought about what your first time is going to be like...candles.....flowers......romantic music.......etc......the first time is often not what you may have expected.

>%#@&#! sex: the soft tissue lining the %#@&#! is not as dense as the vagina. Therefore it is easily damaged through %#@&#! intercourse......STIs are easily contracted and if they lining is damaged it is difficult to naturally repair itself and your fecal matter may transfer to your vagina and/or bladder causing major infection. (Please correct me if any of this information is incorrect)

>And above all else USE A CONDOM EACH AND EVERYTIME YOU HAVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE!