On this page abstinence refers primarily to not having vaginal intercourse - where the penis enters the vagina. Some people will use other kinds of touching to satisfy their needs. Others will avoid any kind of touching because it is too tempting. Some people have intervals of intercourse and then later change their minds and decide they would like to return to abstinence for a period of time. The decision to have sex is your decision, each and every time.
Abstinence is free and available to all.
It is extremely effective at preventing both infection and pregnancy. It can be started at any time in one's life. Abstinence may encourage people to build relationships in other ways. Along with increased use of Depo-Provera and Norplant, abstinence has contributed to a fall in teen pregnancy rates in the '90s. Abstinence may increase the creativity in a relationship for partners to find new ways to express intimacy with each other.