Why do people have sex?
In this section you will learn about sex and relationships
Learning about sex and relationships is an important part of growing up.
This page is for people aged 13 years and older.
If you are younger than 13 year old you can talk to a trusted adult about why people have sex.
On this page there are drawings of
- private body parts
- people with no clothes on
- sexual activity
The drawings are used to help you understand.
There are no photos of real people’s private body parts on our website.
It is ok to see these drawings when learning about sex.
If you have any questions, it is good to speak to an adult you trust.
Move down the page to if you want to find out more about why people have sex.
If not you can learn about bodies or what is sex.
People have sex because they love each other
Sex is one way for people who love each other to feel close and connected.
Not everyone wants to have sex with their partner and that is ok.
Learn about sexual orientation.
Sex can be a way of showing and feeling affection, attraction and love.
Affection is a feeling of caring a lot about someone.
Attraction is liking somebody a lot and finding them very good looking or sexy.
People who are in love
- trust each other
- talk to each other easily
- feel comfortable with each other
People who are in love can show and tell each other
- what kinds of sex they like
- how they like to be touched
This can make sex feel good. This is called sexual pleasure.
Find out more about pleasure.
Move down the page to find out more reasons people have sex.
People have sex because they fancy each other
Sex is a thing people can do together when they fancy, or are very attracted, to each other.
This means liking somebody a lot and finding them very good looking or sexy.
When people fancy each other, they might have sexual thoughts about each other.
Thinking about, or being near, the person they fancy can make them feel like they want to have sex.
This is called being aroused. Arousal is feeling sexy and excited.
Sex between people who fancy each other can be fun, exciting, and feel good. This is called pleasure.
Find out more about about sexual arousal and pleasure.
Move down the page to find out more reasons people have sex.
People have sex because they want to make a baby
Sometimes people have sex because they want to make a baby.
They might want to have a baby and be a parent.
Having a baby is a big decision. It is important that partners speak to each other about this.
Sex where the penis goes in the vagina can make a baby.
Learn more about how people get pregnant.
Other types of sex do not make a baby.
Learn more about sex.
If people do not want to have a baby they use contraception or condoms.
Contraception and condoms stop people from getting pregnant.
How do I know if I am ready for sex?
Learn more here.
