"Sigma , In our previous dialogues you put forth a litany of negative health consequences of being pregnant . Would you agree that abstinence would be the best protection a woman has against these negative health risks ? Would you support abstinence to protect women 's health ?"
"To answer your question , yes I would support abstinence to protect anyone 's health , not just women 's . Risks of STIs including AIDS and unwanted pregnancy are obvious examples that can be largely avoided by not having sex . Cervical cancer is triggered by a virus that a woman is exposed to through sex . Even if she does not contract any STD , there is a high correlation between rates of cervical cancer , HPV ( human papolloma virus ) , and having intercource . Cervical cancer almost never occurs in virgins , and there is a high rate of occurrence in women who have had multiple sex partners . Abstinent women also have lower rates of urinary tract infections and vaginitis . Those can be caused by skin being dragged into the vagina inadvertently during intercourse , and the penis has bacteria on it just like all skin . Teenage girls also would obviously have higher levels of academic achievement if they are abstinent . Less depression and emotional turmoil due to relationship problems if they are abstinent , as well as less domestic or partner abuse . However , I do n't believe that advocating abstinence only is a smart way of approaching a problem . Obviously very few people are abstinent all of their lives ; intercourse is a normal part of a healthy lifestyle . Preaching abstinence-until-marriage is also an unreachable goal and means nothing to same-sex couples . Furthermore , there is little scientific evidence that shows that abstinence only education works . Research demonstrates that comprehensive sex education , including abstinence and contraception , is the most effective , according to well-respected groups including the American Medical Association , the American Academy of Pediatrics , the Society for Adolescent Medicine , the Institute of Medicine , the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , the American Nurses Association and the American Public Health Association . All of these groups reject abstinence only programs in favor of comprehensive sex education . The Institute of Medicine recommends `` Congress , as well as other federal , state and local policymakers , eliminate the requirements that public funds be used for abstinence-only education and that states and local school districts implement and continue to support age-appropriate comprehensive sex education. `` ( No Time to Lose : Getting More from HIV Prevention , Institute of Medicine )"
"a woman has against these negative health risks"
"the American Public Health Association . All of these groups reject abstinence"