{"id":5006,"date":"2021-06-07T01:20:36","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T07:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/?p=5006"},"modified":"2022-07-05T14:50:49","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T20:50:49","slug":"what-is-abstinence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/unplanned-pregnancy\/abstinence\/what-is-abstinence\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Abstinence?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Abstinence<\/strong> simply means not having sex, and refraining from sexual intercourse. For most people, abstinence is the absence of sexual contact altogether. \u00a0It is the healthiest way to avoid teen pregnancy<\/a> and the best way to avoid contracting a sexually transmitted infection.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> method of birth control<\/a> as a means of preventing pregnancy during the fertile period of a woman’s cycle.<\/p>\n Abstinence prevents pregnancy 100% of the time<\/strong> when practiced consistently. It is the most effective form of birth control.<\/p>\n There are no side effects or health risks related to abstinence.<\/p>\n Abstinence prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted infections<\/a> 100% of the time when practiced appropriately and consistently.<\/p>\n Abstinence is most successful when you are diligent and use planning within your relationships. 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.<\/p>\nHow does abstinence work?<\/h2>\n
How effective is abstinence?<\/h3>\n
What are the side effects or health risks?<\/h3>\n
What about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?<\/h3>\n
Frequently Asked Questions About Abstinence:<\/h3>\n
How can I be successful at abstinence?<\/h3>\n
\nTo make it easier, try some of the following ideas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
What about teenagers and abstinence?<\/h3>\n