Abstinence

What it is

Abstinence means not engaging in any kind of sex play with a partner. This includes vaginal, oral and anal sex. Abstinence must be practiced all the time to be successful.

How it Works

Abstinence works by keeping sperm away from the vagina. This eliminates any chance of pregnancy.

Effectiveness

This is the only method of birth control that, when always used, is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. It is also prevents 100% of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV (AIDS).

Cost

There is no cost to practice abstinence.

Benefits

There are definite benefits to abstinence:

• It is free.
• It doesn’t cause any medical or hormonal side effects.
• It prevents any chance of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or HIV (AIDS).

Risks

• The only disadvantage to abstinence is its difficulty. Some people may find it difficult to abstain from sex for long periods of time, especially if they have previously been sexually active. If you’re engaging in abstinence you may suddenly decide to have sex and might not have contraceptives available. If you think this is a possibility, protect yourself by having a method available such as latex or female condoms.
• For this method to be successful, it’s important to have a clear idea of why you chose to be abstinent. It’s also key to find a partner who is also willing to engage in abstinence.