Are You a Virgin If You Have Anal Sex?

Many teenage girls are making the decision to have anal sex to avoid losing their virginity. Others feel that you are not a virgin if you have anal sex. What's true and what's not? Are you a virgin if you have anal sex? Is anal sex a good way to dodge STDs? Here are some things to keep in mind.

Are You Still a Virgin if You Have Anal Sex?

Whether one or not is considered a virgin after they have had sex is very subjective. There really is no "right" or "wrong" answer. It really depends on what you think virginity means. Some people believe that they have "two virginities," one being their vaginal virginity and the other being their anal virginity.

Let's take a look at the definition of virginity. According to Dictionary.com, a virgin is defined as "a person who has never had sexual intercourse." One of the definitions for sexual intercourse, also according to Dictionary.com, is "intercourse (as anal or intercourse) that does not involve penetration of the vagina by the penis." Keep in mind that if you believe that you lose your virginity by having anal sex due to this definition, you would also believe that you would no longer be a virgin after having oral sex.

If you were to go to the gynecologist and she asked you if you have had sex, what would you say? Some believe that if you are able to answer "yes," you are no longer a virgin.

Is Anal Sex a Safer Alternative to Vaginal Sex?

Anal sexual intercourse is really not the best option for teens who want to have sex. While you may be "preserving" your virginity, the truth is that you are also increasing your risk of sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs and STIs), including HIV/AIDs. Since the anal lining is more prone to tears, it increases the risk of infection. According to the Health Services at Colombia University, having anal sex is actually much riskier than vaginal sex.

Another one of the problems with anal sexual intercourse is that it tends to be more painful than vaginal sexual intercourse. It is essential to always use both a condom to prevent STDs and a lubricant like KY jelly and even then, some women still find it painful. Vaginal intercourse can be a much more comfortable option.

Before making the decision to have anal sexual intercourse or vaginal sexual intercourse, it is important to make sure you are ready. Just like vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse is very intimate. If you are not ready to have vaginal sex with the guy you plan to have anal sex with, are you really ready to take part in an even riskier behavior? If you choose to proceed, be sure to use condoms and let your doctor know so that you can get tested for STDs.

Sources:

Dictionary.com

Colombia University's Health Q&A Internet Service, "Risks of anal sex, other than STIs?"