[Elsie]

But how does it make sense if she did not intend to remain a virgin?

Since there is ZERO evidence that she had intended to remain a virgin before the angel spoke; why even bring it up?

It was common knowledge that to remain childless in her culture was considered to be a curse.

http://thebiblicalworld.blogspot.com/2011/01/childlessness-and-bible-2-defective.html

[Mark17]

It was common knowledge that to remain childless in her culture was considered to be a curse.

It was indeed a curse. Luke 1:25, if scripture means anything.