UK Reports 1 in 4 Girls Have Sex Before 16

1 in 4 women lose their virginity before the age of 16-years, according to NHS survey.

Data from the Health Survey for England that questioned 8,420 adults about their sexual behavior, showed that 27% women aged 16-24 years first had sex under the age of consent, compared with 22% men of the same age. While, just 4% women aged 55-69 years had sex before the age of 16-years compared to 15% men of the same age.

1 in 10 young people aged 16-24 years have slept with 10 or more partners. Almost 50% young women and 27% young men have been tested for sexually-transmitted diseases. It was noted that men across all age groups have 9.3 female sexual partners in their lifetime while women sleep with an average 4.7 men.

This 2010 report suggests sexual behavior has changed over the generations and calls for more sex education in schools.

Shadow Health Minister Diane Abbott said, "The underlying cause must be the pornification of the culture and the increasing sexualization of pre-adolescent girls."

Public health minister Anne Milton warned, "Young people should think carefully before having sex - it's not something to rush into. Consider if it's right for you, what contraception to use and the best way to protect against sexually-transmitted infections."

Source: Medindia