Abstinence means choosing not to do something. A person can choose to abstain at any point in their life, even if they haven't abstained in the past. Choosing sexual abstinence can mean choosing to abstain from different kinds of sexual activity, for example:
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No vaginal sex (penis to vagina).
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No oral sex (mouth to penis or vagina).
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No anal sex (penis to anus).
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No genital contact of any kind (direct touching of the partner's penis or vagina).
Advantages
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No risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection if no exchange of bodily fluids happens.
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No physical side effects.
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No need to visit a health care provider.
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No cost.
Disadvantages
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It is a latex sheath that is rolled over a male's penis to prevent secretions from entering the vagina.
Advantages
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97% effective when used properly and consistently. Not only do they protect you from unwanted pregnancy, they also protect you from sexually transmitted infections.
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Condoms are inexpensive, easy to use, and there are many types, colours, flavours of condoms available. They are available free of charge at your local sexual health clinics or family doctor's office.
Disadvantages
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Some complain about allergic reactions to latex. Condoms made from non-latex materials, like polyurethane, are also available for those who are allergic/sensitive to latex. Do not use natural or animal skin condoms (like sheep-skin condoms) as they have tiny holes that sexually transmitted infections can pass through.
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The condom may slip off or break during sex. If this happens, make sure you stop, remove the broken condom carefully and replace with a new one.
Click here to learn how to use a condom properly
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The Birth Control Pill is a form of birth control that is suitable for most healthy women of all ages and can be used for a long time. If taken the same time every day as prescribed, the Pill is 99.9% effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy. Some women set an alarm on their cell phone as a reminder to take their pill or take it at the same time as their other scheduled medications.
Advantages
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Prevents unplanned pregnancy if used correctly.
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Helps regulate the menstrual cycle.
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Makes periods shorter and lighter.
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Protects against certain cancer.
Disadvantages
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It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections
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Some women can develop side-effects like irregular bleeding or spotting, breast tenderness, weight gain or weight loss, headaches and nausea when starting birth control for the first time.
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These side-effects usually go away after a few months of starting on a birth control pill. If they don't go away, you should see a health care provider.
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It is a beige patch that sticks to a woman's skin and releases estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream. One patch is worn each week for 3 weeks. The fourth week is patch-free, allowing a period to happen. The patch prevents unplanned pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg, thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from getting into the uterus, and make the uterine lining thin. It is more than 99% effective when used properly.
Advantages
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Prevents unplanned pregnancy if used correctly.
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Helps regulate the menstrual cycle.
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Makes periods shorter and lighter.
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Protects against certain cancer.
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You can still exercise, shower, swim, or go in a sauna or hot tub with the patch on.
Disadvantages
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It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections.
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Some women can develop side-effects like irregular bleeding or spotting, breast tenderness, weight gain or weight loss, and headaches when starting Evra Patch™ for the first time.
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These side-effects usually go away after a few months of starting the Evra Patch™. If they don't go away, you should see a health care provider.
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It may be less effective in women who weigh more than 198 lbs (98 kg).
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Skin irritation may occur in the place where the patch is applied.
It is a soft, flexible, clear plastic ring that is inserted into a woman's vagina where it releases estrogen and progestin for three weeks. It is more than 99% effective when used properly. The ring is worn inside the vagina for three weeks followed by a one week ring-free interval. The ring is held in place by the walls of the vagina and a woman usually cannot feel the ring once it is in. There is no way for the ring to get lost or go anywhere else once it is in place.
Advantages
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Prevents unplanned pregnancy if used correctly.
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Helps regulate the menstrual cycle.
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Makes periods shorter and lighter.
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Protects against certain cancer.
Disadvantages
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It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections.
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Some women can develop side-effects like irregular bleeding or spotting, vaginal irritation, discomfort or discharge, breast tenderness, and headaches when starting Nuvaring™ for the first time.
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These side-effects usually go away after a few months of starting on Nuvaring™. If they don't go away, you should see a health care provider.
It is administered by a needle in the muscle of the arm or buttocks every 12-13 weeks and you only need to get the shot 4 times a year. It is a birth control that contains progestin only, making it safe for women who are sensitive to estrogen.
Advantages
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Prevents unplanned pregnancy if used correctly.
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Fifty percent of women will stop having periods all together within the first year of starting Depo Provera™. This may be a positive side effect for women who have heavy or painful periods.
Disadvantages
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It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections.
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Depo Provera™ is associated with a decrease in bone mineral density, therefore it is recommended that women increase their consumption of calcium and vitamin D.
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Women must return to their health care providers every 12-13 weeks to receive their next scheduled injection.
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It takes an average of 9 months after the last injection for women to return to their regular menstrual cycle period.
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It is a small T-shaped frame with a small cylinder that contains the hormone levonorgestrel. It is inserted through the cervix into the uterus where the cylinder slowly releases the hormone. The lining of the uterus becomes thinner and the cervical mucous becomes thicker, making it harder for sperm to enter.
Advantages
Disadvantages
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It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections.
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Complications that can occur when inserting the IUS include irregular bleeding and spotting, perforation of the uterus (making a small hole in the uterus), infection, or expulsion (the IUS falls out).
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20-30% of women on IUS will stop having periods.
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Women must feel for the IUS threads inside their vagina periodically (once per month).
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It is a small T-shaped device with a copper wire that is inserted through the vagina into the uterus. The copper wire changes the chemistry in the uterus making its environment in-hospitable for sperm.
Advantages
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It provides up to 5 years of contraception and has no negative impact on future fertility once it is removed.
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It should not change the timing of women's periods. There is no hormone associated with the copper IUD.
Disadvantages
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It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections.
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Some women may find that their periods get heavier or develop more menstrual cramping.
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Possible complications of inserting an IUD could include irregular bleeding or spotting, perforating (making a small hole) the uterus, infection, or expulsion (the IUD falls out).
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Women must feel for the IUD threads inside their vagina periodically (once per month).
It is a surgical procedure where the two fallopian tubes are disconnected. The egg will then be unable to meet the sperm, hence no pregnancy. There is a 1-2.5% chance of failure that may occur up to 10 years later due to the tubes "healing".
Advantages
Disadvantages
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It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections.
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It is considered permanent, however it can be reversed. Reversal is costly, difficult, and is not guaranteed.
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Pain, bleeding, and nausea may follow surgery.
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Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus) is more likely to occur. Women who are showing any signs of pregnancy with tubal ligation should contact a physician as soon as possible.