25% of guys say they lost their virginity too soon

Well, here's another reason The Bachelor star Colton Underwood — or anyone, for that matter — need not feel ashamed about still being a virgin.

According to a new survey, people who don't rush into having sex may feel better about their decisions. Researchers found that more than one-third of women and one-fourth of guys said they didn't lose their virginities at "the right time."

The study, published in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, included survey responses from nearly 3,000 people who answered questions about the first time they had heterosexual sex. Participants were all based in England and between the ages of 17 and 24 years old at the time surveyed. Researchers found that about 40 percent of women and 26 percent of guys said the timing wasn't right when they finally had sex. Most wished they waited longer to lose their virginities, BBC reported.

The study also found that about half of those surveyed lost their virginities by the time they were 17.

While it seems like the answer is to just wait longer to have sex, the researchers point out that the decision isn't always in people's full control.

There are other factors that determine whether someone is happy with their decision to have sex, like relationship stability, prior knowledge about sex through sex education and willingness. And unfortunately, about 20 percent of women and 10 percent of guys indicated they felt pressure to have sex during their first encounter. [Guys, this is an important reminder that mutual consent is important during any sexual encounter, even with your long-term partners.]

Plus, there's the fact that everyone matures differently, as study co-author Kaye Wellings, Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Research at the London School of Hygiene, explained to BBC.

"Every young person is different - some 15-year-olds may be ready while some 18-year-olds are not."

The researchers believe this study does highlight the need for better sex education, specifically lessons in how to determine if they feel ready and how to communicate with potential partners.

Source: www.menshealth.com