Many in UK lose virginity before they are ready – study

Contraceptive use and peer pressure can affect whether first sexual experience is positive, says research

More than half of women and two in five men are losing their virginity before they are ready, potentially affecting their wellbeing and health, researchers say.

The team add that focusing only on age is misguided, noting the research showed issues around willingness, peer pressure and contraceptive use can all affect whether the first experience of sex is positive, regardless of age.