Does your first time affect your future sex life?
“Associations Between Recent Contraceptive Use and First Sex Behaviors of Scottish Adolescents: A Brief Report” looks into the sexual behaviors of teens. To understand how using a contraceptive during their first sexual encounter influences their later sexual practices.
According to the study, published in the International Journal of Sexual Health, teens who use contraceptives during their first time are more likely to use them in the future. This finding pushes against the idea that using contraceptives makes people more promiscuous. It rather makes them safer.
These healthy sexual practices can set them up for healthy futures – reducing sex risks and promoting overall sexual well-being.
Studying Teens
To better understand teen sexual behavior and contraceptive use, Dr. Malachi Willis and colleagues conducted a comprehensive study, as part of a World Health Organization Collaborative Cross-National Survey. Their survey focused on the health behavior of school-aged children.
Carried out every 4 years (2014, 2018, 2022), the survey collected data on the health and social factors of 11, 13, and 15-year-olds. Most participants attended urban schools and a high percentage were from non-denominational backgrounds. The survey included questions on condom use, birth control pills, and other contraceptives, along with risky behaviors, such as early sexual initiation and substance use during their first sexual encounter.
Survey Insights
The research revealed overarching trends in teen sexual behavior. Between the three survey years, an average of about 1 in 5 teens reported having sex: 22.1% of girls and 22.7% of boys.
- 2014: 27.3% of girls and 24.9% of boys reported being sexually active.
- 2018: The percentage lowered to 19.7% of girls and 21% of boys.
- 2022: Boys increased to 22.3%, while girls remained similar to 2018.
Research also revealed that 40-45% of girls and 45-54% of boys had sex at 14 years old or younger. Also, substance use during their first sexual encounter was reported by 14-17% of girls and 20-24% of boys.
Importantly, Dr. Malachi Willis and colleagues found that girls who used contraceptives during their first time were 7.5 times more likely to use them in more recent sexual encounters, while boys were 12.3 times more likely. Notably, most of these teens used contraceptives during their most recent sexual encounters in 2014 and 2018. In 2022, condom use declined, while the use of contraceptive pills increased. The researchers noted this may indicate the misconceived notion among teens that contraceptive pills protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
How Age Impacts Contraceptive Use
2014
- 64.5% of boys who had sex for the first time at 14 years old or younger, used contraception during their most recent sexual encounter;
- Compared to 83.9% of boys who were at least 15 years old.
- 69.9% of girls who were 14 or younger used contraception during their most recent sexual experience;
- Compared to 78.4% of girls who were at least 15.
2018 and 2022: This pattern remained similar.
The Impacts of Substance Use on Contraceptive Use
2014
- 48.3% of boys who used substances during their first time used contraceptives during their most recent sexual activity;
- Compared to 79.5% of boys who did not use substances.
- 66% of girls who used substances during their first time used contraceptives later;
- Compared to 74.9% of girls who did not use substances.
2018
- Boys who used substances during their first sexual experience saw an increase in their future contraceptive use;
- Compared to the girls who used substances during their first time, who saw a decrease in their future use of contraceptives.
Overall, in all three survey years, teens who used substances during their first sexual encounter and had sex at an early age were less likely to use contraceptives in their future sex lives when compared to those who didn’t.
Comprehensive Sex Education
Dr. Malachi Willis and colleagues recommend implementing comprehensive sexual health education combined with accessible contraceptive methods. This is essential for helping teens make informed, safer choices about their sexual health.
Effective education should teach adolescents about safe sex practices before they become sexually active. Education must clearly explain the differences between contraceptive methods and what they should be used for.
Teens should not be left to learn about contraception from friends or the media. Instead, structured education in schools can provide accurate information and promote healthy attitudes. Encouraging these attitudes early may impact their future since “early risky sexual behavior can set a precedent for later risks.” It’s essential to teach young people to make informed contraceptive choices from a young age.
They emphasize that contraception should be “widely and freely available,” even for those under 16 who don’t have parental consent. This is driven by the findings that early sexual activity and substance use during the teen’s first sexual encounter will significantly decrease their likelihood of using contraceptives in future sex lives.
The Future
If no changes are made to sex education, especially concerning contraceptives, this may harm future decision-making in teen sexual activity.
The research consistently shows that teens who have sex at a younger age or use substances during their first time are less likely to use contraceptives later. This poses significant risks for unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. What’s more, in 2022, the data revealed a decline in condom use. This decline, combined with early sexual initiation and substance use, may indicate a critical gap in sexual health education.
If these educational needs are not addressed, we can expect the potential continuation of risky behaviors among adolescents. The misconceptions about contraceptive pills, which some teens may mistakenly believe protect against sexually transmitted infections, must be corrected.
Along with accessible contraception, effective, early sex education is essential to promote long-term well-being among teens.
