Dear Alice,
What are the normal physical reactions to losing one's virginity? I'd
really rather delay going to a gynecologist, but I'd just like to make
sure what I am/have experienced after my first sexual experience
was not indicative of any medical problems.
— Normal First Intercourse?
Dear Normal First Intercourse?,
After first intercourse, common emotional reactions include pride, guilt, happiness, relief, and disappointment, for starters. Common physical reactions can include soreness, numbness, pleasure, orgasm, no orgasm, lubrication, no lubrication, irritation, urinary tract infection (UTI), vaginal infection, or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), with or without symptoms. In order for Alice to be helpful to you, she needs to know what you DID experience, as well as what you might be worried about. In that way, she can let you know more easily if this is within the range of normal, which is probably the case.
As for delaying going to a gynecologist, there's no reason to delay such a visit. It can be useful to you, as documentation of information about your healthy body. It'll give you a chance to ask your questions, discuss contraceptive methods and safer sex, and develop a relationship with a provider. Columbia students can call x4-2284 to make an appointment, or ask your own health care provider for the name of a women's health care provider if you're not a Columbia student.
- Alice
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Normal first intercourse reactions
