Abstinence

1. Abstinence

2. What is Abstinence? Abstinence is often referred to as being 100% safe; meaning that it completely eliminates the risk of STI or unplanned pregnancy. This is only true if the definition includes eliminating any intimate sexual behavior involving skin to genital, genital to genital or body fluid to genital contact. • Pregnancy can occur without intercourse if sperm is ejaculated near the entrance of the vagina or on an area that comes into contact with the vagina. • STIs such as herpes and genital warts can be passed through skin-to-skin genital contact.

3. What is Abstinence? continued • 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) in the future

4. Reasons for Being Abstinent

5. What are some activities that young people can do together without becoming sexually active? • hug