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Abstinence as Birth Control Method

Abstinence is the only birth control option that will save women from getting unwanted pregnancies as well as getting life-threatening STD or HIV diseases. Abstinence is, however, demands lot of restraint, self-discipline and self-control on your habits and emotions to make it result-oriented.

What is abstinence means?
It literally means that not having physical or sexual relationship. However, in the today's open-minded society, abstinence has got various meanings and it is no more restricted to not having sexual intercourse concept alone. It has different meanings to different people. Some people say abstinence as not having any physical or sexual relationship but some people also define abstinence as not to have vaginal intercourse though other touch to other part of the body is fine.

How abstinence can prevent pregnancy?
In case of abstinence, man does not insert his penis inside woman's vagina during the intercourse. Hence, no man's sperm reaches uterus to fertilize the egg and therefore, no pregnancy occurs. Keeping yourself away from vaginal intercourse is the only solution for 100% birth control results.

How much abstinence is effective in birth control?
It is 100% if you do not have vaginal intercourse.

Will I get pregnant if I had vaginal intercourse?
Most probably. If your male partner has ejaculated during intercourse then chances are that you will get pregnant. However, if he had removed his penis from the vagina and ejaculated, there will be very less chances of getting pregnant. However, pre-cum substance left inside the vaginal part might also cause you pregnant. If you are afraid of getting pregnant after vaginal intercourse, you still have 5 days or 120 hours time to take Emergency Contraceptives like Plan B. Please read the further information on that page on how to avoid pregnancy after having unprotected intercourse.

Why should men and women adopt abstinence as "birth control option"?
Unlike abstinence, other options like birth control pills, condoms, birth control vaginal ring, birth control injection (Depo Provera ), implantable hormonal contraception (Implanon) and even Intrauterine Devices (IUD) will require women to use them regularly as prescribed. Some of them could be very expensive for many women. If you miss to take pills or stop using prescribed birth control options and have unprotected intercourse, you might get pregnant. Hence, abstinence is the best option. It is 100% effective. Abstinence is the only option which can protect you from STDs or HIV which is not 100% possible through other means of birth control, even condoms.

What are the benefits of "abstinence"?
Abstinence is the activity and not medical or hormonal prescriptions. Lets see the summarized benefits below.
- Its free
- its 100% effective in birth control or preventing unwanted pregnancy as long as no vaginal intercourse is occurred.
- It is the only option that can 100% prevent you from STDs and HIV
- it controls sexual appetite. - it enhances your personal, moral or religious beliefs.
- abstinence also helps partners to know each other better before they decide to go for physical relationship.
- sexual relationship may be the cause of concern for health. Men and women practicing abstinence before marriage (or involved in sexual relationship with single partner) are found to be healthier than those who are in physical relationship with multiple partners.
- last but not the least, it will help teenagers in great way to get refrained from sexual activities in the early stage and focus on their studies and careers.

What are the shortcomings of abstinence?
It can not be denied that abstinence has some serous disadvantages too. Those are
- very difficult to remain absent from sex for long time. Couple may end their resolution to remain abstinence at one time without considering the health hazards, pregnancy or birth control issues.
- abstinence can not be permanent solution. It is highly effective if you wish to handle your present situations.

The above article is for general information on birth control pills and birth control measures you can take while on travel and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or healthcare provider for treatment purpose.