Abstinence is Not Unrealistic - Yet its not so Simple Either

It seems that sometimes even merely discussing the notion of abstinence is met with reactions suggesting that you are living in the dark ages! The FACT of the matter is that abstinence is the only form of birth control that is 100% effective (both in preventing pregnancies and most sexually transmitted infections).

It is also a fact that practicing abstinence takes self-control and responsibility. Yet, ultimately, it is your decision to choose abstinence -you are the one in control, and you always have the choice to decide to hold off from having a sexual relationship. Abstinence is not unrealistic, yet it is also not as simple as just proclaiming that you will not have sex.

When it comes to abstinence, it is helpful to look at yourself and your lifestyle realistically. Sometimes, with time, a love relationship may change, so your decision to remain abstinent could change as well. You then need to decide if you are okay with this. It all comes down to the same premise - the choice is always yours. Keep in mind, though, it is also wise to have a back-up plan (just incase) – experiences and stories that I have heard over the years suggest that vows of abstinence tend to be more likely to break than condoms.

• What is Abstinence?
• Helpful Tips on Maintaining Abstinence

_{Abstinence Photo Courtesy of Ian Waldie / Getty Images}