How does abstinence work?

Abstinence prevents pregnancy because sexual intercourse does not take place. It involves refraining from any activity that leads to an exchange of body fluids. Periodic abstinence is often used by couples who are practicing the fertility awareness method of birth control as a means of preventing pregnancy during the fertile period of a woman’s cycle.

How effective is abstinence?

Abstinence prevents pregnancy 100% of the time when practiced consistently. It is the most effective form of birth control.

What are the side effects or health risks?

There are no side effects or health risks related to abstinence.

What about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Abstinence prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted infections 100% of the time when practiced appropriately and consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abstinence:

How can I be successful at abstinence?

Abstinence is most successful when you are diligent and use planning within your relationships.
To make it easier, try some of the following ideas:

• Do things with friends or in groups
• Go on double dates
• Minimize physical affection that could lead to passion and desire, making it harder to abstain from sexual intercourse
• Avoid situations where you are alone

What about teenagers and abstinence?

Relationships that involve sexual intercourse are filled with physical, emotional, and psychological risks. Abstinence provides teenagers the opportunity to avoid those risks. Individuals who abstain from sexual intercourse during their teenage years tend to have fewer sexual partners in their future.

Remaining abstinent as a teenager means that you will be less likely to:

• Contract a sexually transmitted disease, which may also lead to infertility
• Develop cancer of the cervix
• Experience an unplanned pregnancy

How can my partner get to know me?

Sexual intercourse is not the only way two people can get to know each other. Too often, people open this door for drawing closer to one another only to regret the decision later, because they did not really know each other at all.
Intimacy can be developed through a variety of means such as:

• Talking and listening
• Sharing joys, hurts, dreams, goals, wishes and other aspects of life
• Honesty and respect for one another
• Having fun and playing together

Why should someone choose abstinence?

It’s chosen for a number of reasons, primarily it’s the best way to avoid being pregnancy or getting an STD. Other reasons:

• The honor of personal, moral, or religious beliefs
• Wait until they are married and in a monogamous and committed relationship
• Pursue school, career, and other activities
• To avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases

How can I express my affection? Intimacy and affection can be expressed in a number of ways other than sexual intercourse. Kissing, hugging, massaging, and holding hands are some of the ways that couples express their affection in a physical manner.
Intimacy and affection can also be expressed in other ways such as:

• Conversations
• Cards, letters, and love notes
• Support in your partner’s activities
• Creative and fun dating
• The caution with any physical affection is that it can lead to passion and a desire for something more.

What are the pros and cons?

• The Pros of Abstinence include:
  • Has no side effects or health risks
  • Prevents pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases
  • Free
  • Reduces emotional and psychological challenges related to relationships that involve sexual activity
• The Cons of Abstinence:
  • Requires willpower and discipline

Want to Know More?

• Types of Birth Control
• Birth Control Failure
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Source:

NIH National Library of Medicine: Abstinence and abstinence-only education

Women’s Health Policy: Abstinence Education Programs: Definition, Funding and Impact on Teen Sexual Behavior

The post What is Abstinence? appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Does abstinence mean you’re giving up your sexuality?

Not at all. Choosing not to have sex is a healthy, responsible way of dealing with your sexuality. Everyone is capable of abstinence. Even if you’ve already had sex, you can still choose abstinence by waiting to have sex again.

Many young people are choosing to abstain from sex these days, for many different reasons.

Let’s look at the health, social and emotional benefits of abstinence

• Abstinence from vaginal intercourse is the only 100 percent effective means of preventing pregnancy
• It is viewed by some as the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. However, if you still participate in oral sex or anal sex, you do stand a chance of getting a STD. Only abstinence from all forms of sex can protect you from STDs 100 percent of the time.
• Avoid some of the emotional consequences of teen sex, especially if the relationship does not work out, including feeling hurt, used, lonely, angry, or depressed.
• Better relationships – couples who wait to have sex have healthier, more trusting relationships, and, if they marry, are less likely to divorce, and generally have better sex lives than those who did not wait.
• Women who abstain from sex until past their teen years are less likely to get STDs that can lead to cervical cancer and infertility.
• Unlike other forms of birth control, abstinence costs nothing and has no side effects

Why Might Adults Decide to Say No to Sex?

Adults who are no longer virgins often choose to practice sexual abstinence for reasons other than birth control or avoiding STDs. They may be:

• Waiting for the right person to be sexually active with
• Mourning the loss of a significant other
• Focusing on work or education
• Recovering from an illness
• Maintaining a moral or religious principle

How to maintain abstinence:

• Be clear with yourself about why you are making your decision, and remind yourself of this; some teens find it useful to wear a ring, bracelet, or other reminder of their decision to remain abstinent.
• Make decisions about abstinence and your limits before you get into a sexual situation.
• Avoid situations that may make abstinence difficult, such as physical affection more serious than light kissing, which increases the urge to have sex, or situations where you are alone with someone you are attracted to. Try group dating.
• Do not drink or use alcohol.
• Find other outlets for your energy, such as sport, music, art, or educational pursuits.
• Tell your friends, and especially anyone you are dating, what your standards and limits are.
• Focus on the non-sexual sides of romance, such as talking, sharing common interests, and going out on dates.
• Spend time with people who support your standards, and avoid media such as music and movies that encourage sex.
• Decide ahead of time how you will act if you are in a compromising situation, including how you will say no. Remember that no one who cares about you will ever pressure you to have sex.

One drawback to abstinence is that many men and women decide to end it without fully preparing themselves. If you do decide to become sexually active, be certain to guard against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases by consistently using condoms and employing other safe sex practices. Take the time to learn about the various types of birth control and make sure you have access to them if you so choose.

The post The Benefits of Abstinence appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Birth Control Failure Chart

Note that the failure rates are for the average use of the method. Consistent and correct use may further decrease your chances. For specific hormonal birth control methods, the risk of pregnancy for correct use should be listed in the instructions/details.

When speaking of hormonal birth control, it is important to consider both the high success rate and the ethical concerns of the third act of the birth control:  changing/thinning the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation.

Since this can stop an already begun pregnancy from continuing, it is said to have abortifacient qualities. This will be an action of any of the hormonal birth control methods listed.

Below are brief explanations of how each birth control method works along with risks and side effects associated with each:

1. Centers for Disease Control:  Reproductive Health.

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm

2. Centers for Disease Control:  Reproductive Health “Implants.”

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/mmwr/spr/implants.html

3. Mayo Clinic: Depo-Provera (contraceptive injection).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/depo-provera/about/pac-20392204

4. Nexplanon: Side Effects.

https://www.nexplanon.com/side-effects/

5. Nuva Ring: Risks and Side Effects.

https://www.nuvaring.com/risks-side-effects/

6. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC): Tubal Ligation (Tubes Tied).

https://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/contraception/Pages/tubal-ligation.aspx

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