Early sex is associated with poorer health and well-being outcomes in adolescents, according to a research from the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) of the University of Navarra. To carry it out, the project 'Education of affectivity and human sexuality' has surveyed more than 6,000 adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age in Peru and El Salvador, of whom almost a thousand have already had sex.

The study, published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology, points out that those who had sex early have worse memories of that experience. On the other hand, the reason for the early onset is not usually linked to love, but to a greater pressure from the environment or the partner.

Among the main reasons given for maintaining the first relationship are: because most friends have done so; because of the partner's insistence , fear of losing the partner or the threat of breaking up; and because of the influence of alcohol or drugs. "Lack of maturity could increase the likelihood of making less autonomous and sensible decisions," they point out.

On the contrary, it is indicated that people who initiate physical relations at an older age have better memories of the experience and more frequently refer to love as the reason they had sex.

A reinforcement to programs of study previous

This study reinforces previous research. The article itself reflects earlier findings, such as that those who have sex earlier are more likely to have a higher issue of casual sex partners and behavioral problems; do not attend Education tertiary or regret the age of initiation.

The publication also reviews previous programs of study that discuss medical risks. They argue that adolescent girls are biologically more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as result from their immature cervix.

• article The Sooner, the Worse? Association between earlier age of sexual initiation and worse adolescent health and well-being outcomes'.