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What Is It? Abstinence is the decision to not have sex. How Does It Work? Abstinence is the simplest form of birth control. If two people don't have sex, then sperm can't fertilize an egg and there's no possibility of a pregnancy. Other forms of birth control depend on barriers that prevent the sperm from reaching the egg (such as condoms or diaphragms) or they interfere with the menstrual cycle (as birth control pills do). With abstinence, no barriers or pills are necessary. Do you have to be a virgin to practice abstinence? No. Sometimes, someone who has been sexually active decides not to continue having sex. Even if someone has been sexually active, they can still choose abstinence to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) from now on. How Well Does It Work? Abstinence is the only form of birth control that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Although many other methods can have high rates of success if used properly, they can fail occasionally. The rate of success of other birth control methods varies depending on the type of birth control. Practicing abstinence, however, ensures that a girl will not become pregnant because there is no opportunity for sperm to fertilize an egg. Protection Against STDs Abstinence protects people against STDs. Because some STDs spread through oral-genital sex or even intimate skin-to-skin contact without actual penetration (as genital warts can), only complete abstinence from intimate genital contact can prevent STDs. 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 teens may feel they have to do it, too, just to be accepted. Remember that only you can make the decision to have sex or not. Don't let kidding or pressure from friends, a girlfriend, or a boyfriend push you into something that's not right for you. And you can still have a relationship with someone without having sex. The people who care about you should respect that deciding not to have sex is an important personal choice. You might not realize it, but most teens do practice abstinence. Choosing to practice abstinence is an important decision, and you may have questions about making this choice or about other methods of birth control. Talking to an adult you trust, such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or coach, can help. Reviewed by: George A. Macones, MD
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