The thought of having sex for the first time can be scary and exciting at the same time. 

It’s even more daunting if your friends are talking about sex and what it’s like. 

No two first-time sex experiences will be the same. What’s right for someone else might not be right for you. What matters is that you and your partner are happy, comfortable and safe.

Working out whether you’re ready to have first-time sex is a big deal. You’re the only one who can decide. 

Despite what you might hear, most people have sex for the first time when they're 16 or older. 

And although by law you’re allowed to have sex at 16, you might not feel ready by then, and that’s OK.

Being ready happens at different times for people. You should not feel like you should have sex just to keep up with your friends. There are no rules about how long you should go out with someone before you do it either – your partner should never pressure you into having sex.

The age you can legally have sex is 16 (the age of consent). This age limit has been set to protect you from sexual abuse by older people when you’re younger. 

If you’re having consensual sex (this is when you both want to have sex) with someone your own age, it’s not likely you’ll get into trouble.

If you’re under 13, you have extra legal protection. That means if you use our services and tell us you’re having sex, we will ask a professional to support you and make sure you’re OK. This is not because you’re in trouble, but to protect you from abuse.

Consent is when you both agree you want to have sex. It’s crucial, whether you’re having sex for the first time or the 100th.

You have the power to choose whether you want to have sex, no matter who you’re with, and you can stop at any point you want. 

Find out more about what consent means for you and your partner.

Always use a condom when you’re having sex for the first time or with someone new. This is to protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Learn more about preventing STIs, about condoms and where to get them for free, and about other types of contraception.