i think your answer may be in the start of your question. u allowed yourself to have sex... but onli when you were in a relationship. i used to be like that. i would never sleep with a guy unless i dated him. there has only been two guys out of the few i have chosen to sleep with that i havnt actually been in an official relationship with. the difference is i knew them extremely well before i did anything. i felt safer because i had been friends with them first, i trusted them not to hurt me, plus i knew their history in the sack. so i felt assured there wasnt any other risks. the other good thing is tht they knew it wasnt anything serious and that no feelings were tied in. u might find that sleeping with a friend might scratch your itch. your new to the world of sex in that way. just remember that you are the one that lets a man enter your personal space, (they dont really have that issue) dont do anything if your not sure and make sure they understand what it means in the long run ok. admittedly you can enjoy yourself so much more in a relationship because its one guy that you can open up with completely and just have fun without feeling dirty and used the next day.just make sure your safe and that you are comfortable. ( i know it may sound like a parent but trust me im not). either way i hope you find a solution that YOU are ok with.

Definitely would agree with Jo. I'm recently out of a relationship, though he wasn't my first for that like yourself, we were together a long time. Now that I am single I am finding myself not wanting to be in a relationship at the moment, and more to exploring other avenues with the new found "freedom". You should definitely only do what your comfortable with, but now that you are single-take advantage! there is alot of new exciting territory that comes with it- and sleeping with a friend or guy your into doesn't make you a slut, it makes you a single girl satisfying the same urges we all get! So long as you are both on the same page about what's going it it should be simple and fun (so long as you are comfortable with it that is)

The idea that you are a slut if you have sex without being in a relationship, I think, was made up by men trying to keep us good little girls! But it is so outdated now. Why should men be allowed to have all the fun! Anyone who tells you youre a slut is the one with the problem, for forcing their beliefs on someone else! Go and have fun with whoever you want girl.

listen girl, i like how u think. so guys are just as open minded. worst thing worst u will have ur experience and if he was a fucked up person then he wasnt supposed to be ur friend in the first place.

Hey girl.. If you think your ready to have casual sex then do it there's nothing wrong with it. Women have just as many needs as men. However, as someone who's been in that situation before, i suggest be prepared to maybe get mixed up in some emotions. You see as fun and entertaining as sex is, its a physical connection between two people. Men more often then women can handle casual sex without commitment. But sometimes you get attached. Since you have the physical relationship you may want the emotion side too. But that usually depends on the person. So be safe. And know what your getting yourself into :)

For women sex is very emotional and personal. It is very rare and unusual to ever find a woman who can have sex like men, ie no strings and emotions attached and just for fun.
If you feel you're comfortable with casual sex, don't feel obligated to anyone's beliefs that casual sex is wrong. Do whatever feels right for you.
The thing to remember though is this, once you do it, there's no turning back.
I've had three sexual partners so far... I hope it stays that way, but you never know...
I wish I didn't have sex with the first two... It would have made this relationship that much more special. Especially that I slept with the second one only after a month of dating and I dumped him after a week or so.... I feel disgusted with him although at the time I felt like I really wanted to, but now just a thought of him makes me sick to my stomach.
Every time you sleep with someone, it feels like you give a little bit of yourself to that person. If that person was not worth it, it will take you a while to get over it.
Just make sure you take your time to think about it. I mean, there's no rush. No one can force you to do anything if you don't want to. And if you take another day to think, guess what? He'll still be there and you can do it on another day if you're sure.
Good luck!

well i say take things slow. you don't want to do anything you regret later on in life. you're first is really hard to get over. there are some that wont ever accomplish that. i believe that if it was real love then you wont ever get over that person. i say take things really slow. if something happens let it happen. you wont be considered a slut because you're only talking to him. it's not like you're trying to sleep with every guy.