What Is It?
Abstinence is not having sex. A person who decides to practice
abstinence has decided not to have sex.
How Does It Work?
If two people don't have sex, then sperm can't fertilize
an egg and there's no possibility of a pregnancy. Some forms of
birth control depend on barriers that prevent the sperm from
reaching the egg (such as condoms or diaphragms). Others interfere
with the menstrual cycle (as birth control pills do). With
abstinence, no barriers or pills are necessary because the person
is not having sex.
You don't have to be a virgin to practice abstinence.
Sometimes people who have been having sex decide not to continue
having sex. Even if a person has been having sex, he or she can
still choose abstinence to prevent pregnancy and
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
.
How Well Does It Work?
Abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Although
many birth control methods can have high rates of success if used
properly, they can fail occasionally. Practicing abstinence ensures
that a girl won't become pregnant because there's no
opportunity for sperm to fertilize an egg.
Protection Against STDs
Abstinence protects people against STDs. Some STDs spread
through oral-genital sex, anal sex, or even intimate skin-to-skin
contact without actual penetration (genital warts and herpes can be
spread this way). So only avoiding all types of intimate genital
contact can prevent STDs. Avoiding all types of intimate genital
contact - including anal and oral sex - is
complete
abstinence.
Only complete and consistent abstinence can totally prevent
pregnancy and protect against STDs. Because a person does not have
any type of intimate sexual contact when he or she practices
complete abstinence, there is no risk of passing on a sexually
transmitted infection.
Consistent
abstinence means that someone practices abstinence
all the time
. Having sex even once means that the person risks getting an
infection.
Abstinence does not prevent AIDS and hepatitis B infections that
come from nonsexual activities like using contaminated needles for
doing drugs, tattooing, or taking steroids.
How Do You Do It?
Not having sex may seem easy because it's not
doing
anything. But peer pressure and things you see on TV and in the
movies can make the decision to practice abstinence more
difficult.
If it seems like everybody else is having sex, some people may
feel they have to do it, too, just to be accepted. Don't let
kidding or pressure from friends, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, or
even the media push you into something that's not right for
you. The truth is that most teens are not having sex.
A couple can still have a relationship without having sex. If
you've made a decision not to have sex, it's an important
personal choice and the people who care about you should respect
that.
You may have questions about making this choice or about other
methods of birth control. Your doctor or nurse - or an adult you
trust, such as a parent, teacher, or counselor - can help provide
some answers.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2007
Originally reviewed by:
George A. Macones, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.