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Abstinence
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Abstinence means different things to different people. For a man and a woman who are considering sexual activity which can lead to pregnancy, abstinence refers to not having penis-in-vagina intercourse. For protection against infection, abstinence means avoiding vaginal, anal, and oral-genital intercourse or participating in any other activity in which body fluids (semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk) are exchanged with another person. On this page abstinence refers primarily to not having vaginal intercourse - where the penis enters the vagina. Some people will use other kinds of touching to satisfy their needs. Others will avoid any kind of touching because it is too tempting.The decision to have sex is your decision, each and every time.
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Abstinence as a lifestyle
Although many individuals abstain from sex for complex reasons such as religion or morality, for some individuals sexual abstinence is simply a lifestyle choice. Those individuals who fall into this category may have a dislike of sex, or are simply not interested in it. They may view sex as an unnecessary part of human life. As with other lifestyle choices, this attitude toward sex and relationships can vary greatly. Some who choose such a lifestyle still accept sex for reproduction, some engage in romantic relationships, and some engage in masturbation.
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What are the advantages of Abstinence?
- Abstinence is free and available to all.
- It is extremely effective at preventing both infection and pregnancy.
- It can be started or returned to at any time in one's life.
- Abstinence may encourage people to build relationships in other ways.
- Abstinence may increase the creativity in a relationship as partners find new ways to express intimacy with each other.
- Abstinence may be boost your self-esteem as you are choosing what you consider to be right for yourself.
- Abstinence contributed to a fall in teen pregnancy rates in the '90s along with increase use of Depo-Provera and Norplant. In the near future, Implanon may be an important new option for teens.
- It has no medical side effects.
- It is cost-effective because there's nothing to buy!
What are the disadvantages?
- If you're planning to use abstinence, and change your mind in the heat of the moment, you might not have birth control handy. Some people would like to be prepared and have a condom or spermicide available in case they change their mind. Others feel that having a contraceptive ready and available might tempt them.
- It may be very difficult to communicate clearly with a partner about abstinence
- Some people find not having sex too frustrating, and may feel as though they are "missing out".
- If only abstaining from penis-in-vagina intercourse, there may be no protection against infections transmitted through other activities such as oral and anal intercourse, including herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, and HIV/AIDS.
- Some who choose to no longer abstain may have little knowledge about other methods.
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