Is it normal that your body changes after losing your virginity?
An individual's first experience of sexual intercourse, or popularly "losing virginity", represents a memorable and significant transition from one life stage to another. This act involves both a physical and emotional aspect and may therefore create confusion as to what kind of changes is a person going to experience and what is "normal" to feel. SteadyHealth members were wondering the same.
Is it normal that your body changes after losing your virginity?
Many participants reported having feelings and emotions that are not usual for them or that the timing of the emotions does not match the occasion.
It was weird for me being so emotional cause I don't even usually PMS.
I lost my virginity a few days ago and have been having period symptoms since then (bloating, eating more, feeling fat and tired).
Physical changes after the first sexual experience were also described, notably stomach bloating and breast size increase. Bloating was reported in the abdominal area, while breast sizes were said to go up to two sizes. Besides these, discussion participants noted other symptoms that may be present, such as:
- weight gain (especially on the stomach, thighs, and hips)
- cellulite
- delayed menstrual cycle
- firm and sensitive nipples
- vomiting
- stomachache
- pain in the breasts
- nausea
- fatigue
- heavier period
- cramping
- vaginal discharge
- gas
- headache
- loss of appetite
- water retention
The first occurrence of symptoms varied for discussion participants from one day to a couple of weeks. For some people, the symptoms would subside or completely disappear after the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
People dealing with this problem described using birth control methods such as condoms or contraceptive pills thus reducing the possibility of pregnancy. On the other side, less safe and reliable birth control methods were reported as well, most notably coitus interruptus (the withdrawal or pull-out method), or no protection at all.
What do the experts say?
Experts agree with popular media and culture that most adolescents view their first sexual encounter as a transition from one state to another. It is generally perceived as a milestone to maturity or adulthood. Even though adolescents tend to engage in other non-coital behaviors like kissing, genital-touching, and oral sex, the majority will subjectively consider intercourse as "real sex" or the loss of virginity.
Body image, as an important component of a person's overall well-being, is associated with sexual behavior. As research suggests, physical attractiveness is seen as very important for women, which may cause them to be more conscious about their appearance and how other people view them. Self-objectification usually leads to dissatisfaction with one's physical appearance and regular body monitoring. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that engaging in sexual behavior causes women to be more self-conscious and start paying more attention to their bodies' flaws or start noticing them more.
A person's body does not change after the first sexual intercourse or the second, third and so on. What does happen is attributed to the physiological reactions related to sexual arousal. These may include:
- swollen vulva
- rapid breathing
- sweating
- flushed skin
- breast size increase
Sexual arousal in women has four stages of physical response.
Stage 1: Sexual excitement or arousal
During this stage, increased blood flow occurs in the vaginal walls resulting in vasocongestion — the vulva (including the clitoris, vaginal opening, and inner and outer lips or labia) swell due to the increased blood flow. Your blood pressure rises and your breathing and pulse speed up. Blood vessels are enlarged causing you to flush, especially on the neck and chest.
Stage 2: Sexual plateau
There may be an increase in a woman's breast size up to 25 percent during this stage. The areola (the area around the nipple) also experiences increased blood flow thus making the nipple look less erect.
Stage 3: Orgasm
The sexual tension that has built up during the previous stages is released in the form of an orgasm. An orgasm is an intense and pleasurable release marked by contractions of the genital muscles.
Stage 4: Sexual resolution
This is where your body returns to its usual state. The swelling is reduced and heart rate and breathing slow down.
Pregnancy
Engaging in sexual activity can result in pregnancy. The effectiveness of birth control methods varies and there is no "best" method for every woman. Using a more effective birth control method reduces your chances of getting pregnant but one should keep in mind that even the most effective birth control methods can fail.
One study reported that the withdrawal method was the most common choice among the youngest women. Twenrty-two out of 100 women using the withdrawal method during their first year of typical use ended up getting pregnant.
Missing one, two or more consecutive menstrual periods is the most common or obvious signs of pregnancy. However, period omission does not always mean a woman is pregnant. Depending on the woman, pregnancy symptoms and their timing vary. Some signs of early pregnancy may include:
- spotting or slight bleeding
- headaches
- fatigue
- tender/swollen breasts or nipples
- nausea and/or vomiting
- frequent urination
- food cravings or aversions
- mood swings
Menstrual irregularities can be caused by many different things. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetes, certain medicines, birth control pills, stress or eating disorders can alter periods, therefore, missing one is not always a sign that a woman is pregnant. The best way to confirm pregnancy or any other condition is to consult a doctor.
Discussion highlights
Symptoms users reported
- But I was moody and emotional about 3 weeks ago.
- I feel lazy also, but I've been known to be lazy every now and then.
- Symptoms after were basically feeling exhausted and fat.
- I lost mine two days ago now, and I feel really tired and run down.
- The day right after I felt sick.
- I feel loss of appetite and I feel fatigue.
- I also feel extreme moodiness.
- Like uncontrollable moodiness.
- My appetite has also gotten bigger.
- I have been cramping off and on all day my boobs have been killing me all day & I feel like there is pressure being out on my bladder.
- I Was emotional and I felt like I gained 5-10 lbs.
- I lost my virginity to my boyfriend like two weeks ago and now my stomach feels bloated and my boobs feel harder and more tender and I was so worried I was pregnant.
- I've been really anxious ever since I lost my virginity and I don't understand why.
- I feel so bloated.
- After a day or two my breasts started to feel tender and swollen (something that I normally feel a week before my period comes) I found it very strange since I was not expecting my period yet so I totally feared that I might be pregnant.
- What I did notice were emotional changes.
- I felt the same way and I had cramps like if I was going to start my period.
- I don't feel any real physical changes, but I woke up this morning kinda sluggish and I had a headache.
- i lost my virginity almost a week ago and i feel so nauseous, my boobs feel tender and i’ve been getting cramps on my lower stomach.
- 3 weeks ago I have noticed alot of fatique, depression, and whatever since then.
Users reported some additional signs
- Now I am late with second period after having sex.
- I feel bloated, tired, my breasts hurt and I'm extremely moody.
- I had sex with my boyfriend like a week ago, but now my body has changed a bit: my breasts are getting a bit bigger and harder and i feel more fat (like i hold more water in my body).
- these are all symptoms that I usually have before I have my period, but my period is in 2 weeks from now.
- My breast seem to be bigger.
- i thought my belly had gotten a little bigger and i felt a little nauseated from time to time.
- I lost my virginity about three weeks ago, and started to feel classic PMS symptoms starting last week, to where I came really close to vomiting, and yesterday I got so emotional it overwhelmed me.
- I lost my virginity about 2 weeks ago and I should have started my period 3 days ago.
- I lost mine almost a month ago, and I've gained weight, been nauseous & tired, and have been super moody since.
- I feel fat and gross and my stomache feels taunt.
- I've been feeling nauseated, like I'm holding more water, bloating.
- cramping like im about to start and some clear whitish discharge started coming out.
- I lost my virginity about a week and a half ago, and since then I've felt nauseous, emotional, my stomach feels kind of tight, and my boobs feel bigger.
- But I'm concerned because I've seemed to gain a lil weight and yesterday I felt a bit like throwing up.
- I haven't got my period yet for 4-5 months.
- i didn't start noticing until recently that my jeans were fitting just a little bit tighter in my hips but i hadn't actually GAINED any weight at all.
- My stomach increase a bit.
- my period is late, & i felt sick yesterday and today.
- My body's been acting weird, retaining water, moodiness, and breast discomfort.
- I didn't bleed when I first had sex, but since then I've been having strange discharge, kind of like the first day of my period.
- i pretended they were all in my head but i could no longer ignore the fatiuge,loss of appetite, nausea, cramping, and how bloated i feel.
- So i wasn't too worried, but the day before i was extremely moody, i cried the entire day and just today i ha my period.
- I lost "IT" a couple of days ago and felt horrible after!
- I lost mine about a week ago and i feel like i've gained weight and i've been moody all week.
- My nipples are also really dark around the outsides, they're not sore, they're just dark.
- Plus none of the other girls said any thing about increased sense of smell( I only have that when I'm on my period ).
- Some smells are so strong I almost puke.
- my period has been delayed, and I'M DYING!
- I feel like vomitting and tired.
- I felt nausea 4 days and cough for a week.
- The first week I was spotting.
- Sometimes I will feel fine and not even think about it and then sometimes I can't sleep through the night and wake up crying.
- All I wanna do is sleep and I normally eat alot and now I don't really eat at all so my mom is curious as to what is going on.
- My usual A-size boobs have shot up to a C, which is really weird for me.
- I just feel like my body has gained fat on my boobs, lower abs, and thighs.
- My breasts have become bigger and nipples are getting harder every now and then.
- My periods are supposed to have started this week but they haven't yet.
Users' opinions
- Honestly, my first thought after reading this isn't that your body has really physically changed after losing your virginity, but that you're either in love with the person you had sex with or are just more self conscious about your body, knowing that someone will be seeing it naked!
- Some people also feel like sex is a rite of passage in a way, and they might feel more mature and womanly or manly after losing their virginity.
- I thought I was pregnant because I had those exact symptoms so I took 3 tests and they all came back negative.
- This that is happening to you is normal it's something that every woman will go through in their lives.
- I was afraid that I might have been pregnant so i took the test, and nothing showed up!
- Maybe our bodies are preparing for maternal mode, I think we just get a little self-conscious afterwards too.
- I wouldn't worry about it too much, this can sometimes delay your period.
- Most of what you are going through is completely normal and expected.
- The female body does go through changes after you begin to be sexually active, and some of these symptoms may be from the stress of losing your virginity.
- There are hormones released into the blood stream during and after sex that may cause weight gain, breast changes and bloating.
- The brain is a powerful thing and you would be suprised what changes can happen when you stress out.
- There's absolutely no need to worry as it's just a new hormone your body releases as it becomes sexually active.
- It's because your mind controls your body and since your scared your pregnant the body starts to prepare, until of course your not and it begins to subside.
- But I guess ur body just goes through some weird changes since it's the first time it's experiencing intercourse.
- Stress and your mind at times like this can make you think many different things at a time like this, some symptoms you have probably had before after your period but never really paid any attention to them, when you take the test make sure you use the first pee you take after waking up in the morning as that's when the hormone will be strongest.
- I lost my virginity a few days ago and I feel bloated and really tired and moody and my boobs are a little bigger and tender I was so confused glad it's normal
- I'm not sure what could be wrong, but I'm thinking that sexual intercourse releases hormones that have never been released before and that's why there are so many changes afterwards, but who knows?
- Most of the time it's just us young women over thinking about pregnancy.
- It's all pshycological especially after a couple days since the day of the sex.
- Now that I know these are common symptoms I feel better.
- I've been researching and I'm pretty sure it's normal.
- I have actually heard that body changes after having sexual intercourse for the first time is quite common in women, specifically bigger and firmer breasts as well as more sensitive nipples, flushed skin, and more water retention.
- I am quite sure that this has to do both with the emotional and physical aspect of having sex with someone.
- Sex should be a pleasurable experience, and when you do it, your body is awoken in a new way, awoken to new physical experiences.
- So it is not sure weird that this would result in physical changes, I think!
- And emotionally, you might feel like being close to your new partner again, and develop more of a feeling of connectedness, whether you want to or not!
- I take care to shave my legs and armpits, I take care to shower regularly, I take care to look good, and yes, I even take more care of my weight than I probably would, were I single.
- It is not for him, as such, but for me because I know I am not the only one who sees my whole body.
- I saw myself in a different light afterwards.
- Virginity is made out to be a really big deal in society and it was for me back then.
- I didn't notice anything strange about his body but worried about my own.
- These things are probably just getting used to a new era of life, not that you have actual changes because of intercourse.
- It is possible that after losing your virginity, this state of arousal lasts much longer than it will afterwards.
- Give it a few days and you should be fine.
In conclusion
Sex is a completely normal and natural activity — it is meant to be pleasurable and intimate whether done by yourself or with a partner. It involves emotional, physical and social aspect of a person's life and emotional and physiological changes during and/or after intercourse are a natural part of the process. However, engaging in sexual activity can result in pregnancy. It is highly recommended to use the most effective birth control methods at all times. It is important to discuss any period omissions or other pregnancy symptoms with your doctor.