by Vicky Lumsden

Lets be honest - sex is great. There's no point trying to hide it under the carpet - everyone knows. Of course it isn't always an incredible experience but the fact is if you find the right partner you can have that incredible experience. However, this doesn't mean you should be rushing into having sex for the first time. It's something you will remember all your life so it deserves a great deal of thought.

Are you ready?

How do you know you're ready to have sex for the first time? Unfortunately, there's no simple answer because everybody's different. What may be right for one person may not be right for the next. There are many issues you need to think about:

- do you physically and mentally feel ready? This can be difficult to know for sure. One part of you may say yes and another may say no. In general, you are only truly ready if you have no significant doubts whatsoever.

- are you fully aware of the potential consequences of having sex? Pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases can result unless you take the appropriate precautions. You are not immune from these potentially life changing scenarios simply because it's your first time.

- are you feeling pressured into having sex? If this is the case, you should seriously consider whether the time is right. It has to be your decision, nobody else's.

Feel comfortable

It's important to give yourself every chance of enjoying your first time. For example can you honestly say you would like to loose your virginity in the back seat of car? Being comfortable is essential and so the best place to make love is in a bed. However, you must also make sure you can fully relax and not be concerned about being disturbed. For example it's not a great idea to have your first experience of sex when you parents are sleeping in the next room.

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