Why do people have sex?
In this section you will learn about sex and relationships
![A drawing of two men cuddling while laying down on a bed with a question mark above them.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Why-do-people-have-sex-M-M.jpg)
Learning about sex and relationships is an important part of growing up.
![An illustration of a person with a vulva and a person with a penis with the following body parts labelled: Breasts, nipples, clitoris, vulva and vagina, penis.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Private-body-parts-masturbation.jpg)
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.
![Content warning image comparing a photograph of a hand and a drawing of a hand](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Content-warning-photo.jpg)
There are no photos of real peoples private body parts on our website.
![A drawing of a laptop with the Healthy Respect website page about private body parts on the screen. A big green tick is in front of the laptop.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Learning-about-private-body-parts-is-okay.jpg)
It is ok to see these drawings when learning about sex.
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If you have any questions, it is good to speak to an adult you trust.
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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
![image of couples in love](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Different-sexualities-white-background.jpg)
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.
Find out more about sexuality.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WW-Couple-sexual-attraction.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/couple-talking-on-a-date-communication-respect.jpg)
People who are in love
- trust each other
- talk to each other easily
- feel comfortable with each other
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Talking-about-what-you-do-and-do-not-like.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mutual-consent-M-F.jpg)
People who love each other still need to get consent from their partner before having sex.
What is consent?
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Move down the page to find out more reasons people have sex.
People have sex because they fancy each other
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/feeling-very-sexually-attracted-to-your-partner-W-W-dawn-and-Rosa.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Thinking-sexual-thoughts-about-your-partner-MM-josh-and-blair.jpg)
When people fancy each other, they might have sexual thoughts about each other.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Arousal-from-Kissing-F-M.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sex-can-feel-pleasurable-M-F-Paula-and-Nasir.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mutual-consent-M-F.jpg)
People who fancy each other still need to get consent from their partner, before having sex.
What is consent?
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Green-arrow.jpg)
Move down the page to find out more reasons people have sex.
People have sex because they want to make a baby
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Palua-and-Nasir-newborn-baby-family.jpg)
Sometimes people have sex because they want to make a baby.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Paula-and-nasir-toddler-family-parents.jpg)
They might want to have a baby and be a parent.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Talking-about-having-a-baby-paula-and-nasir.jpg)
Having a baby is a big decision. It is important that partners speak to each other about this.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Penis-in-vagina-sex-can-make-you-pregnant-13.jpg)
Sex where the penis goes in the vagina can make a baby.
Learn more about how people get pregnant
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/some-types-of-sex-do-not-cause-pregnancy.jpg)
Other types of sex do not make a baby.
Learn more about sex.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/contraception-and-condoms-preventing-pregnancy-2.jpg)
If people do not want to have a baby they use contraception or condoms.
These types of contraception stop people from getting pregnant.
Learn more about contraception and condoms.
![](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mutual-consent-M-F.jpg)
People who want to make a baby together still need to get consent from their partner, before having sex.
What is consent?
![A drawing of two women holding hands and smiling at each other. They are thinking about kissing in their underwear and there is a big question mark in between them.](https://www.healthyrespect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/How-do-i-know-i-am-ready-to-have-sex.jpg)
How do I know if I am ready for sex?
Learn more here.