Keeping It Sexy & Safe

Abstinence

• has no medical or hormonal side effects

• is free

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Women and men abstain from sex play for many reasons — even after they've been sexually active. A couple may even choose to be abstinent after having had sex play with each other. The reasons people choose to be abstinent may change throughout life.

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People choose abstinence to

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• prevent pregnancy

• prevent STDs

• wait until they're ready for a sexual relationship

• wait to find the right partner

• have fun with romantic partners without sexual involvement

• focus on school, career, or extracurricular activities

• support personal, moral, or religious beliefs and values

• get over a breakup

• heal from the death of a partner

• follow medical advice during an illness or infection

 

Any woman or man can abstain from sex play. Many do so at various times in their lives. Some choose to abstain from sex play for long periods in their lives.

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Special Advantages for Teens

 

Sexual relationships present risks. Abstinence is a very good way to postpone taking those risks until you are better able to handle them.

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Women who abstain until their 20s — and who have fewer partners in their lifetimes — may have certain health advantages over women who do not. They are less likely to get STDs. Because they are less likely to get an STD, they are also less likely to become infertile or develop cervical cancer.