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Abstinence as a Choice of Contraception
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ABSTINENCE AS A CHOICE OF CONTRACEPTION WHY CONSIDER THIS METHOD?
DISADVANTAGES OF ABSTINENCE
Giving and receiving sexual pleasure without penetration is an important part of sexual expression for both men and women, and is effective in decreasing the risk of STD and pregnancy.
If the goal of abstinence is to avoid unwanted preg-
WHAT ARE THE IMPLEMENTATION STEPS FOR INITIATING ABSTINENCE?
Couples practising abstinence deserve respect, encouragement and non-judgemental support. They should be offered education about other methods ofbirth contral and safer sex to help them in the future if their sexual agenda changes. TROUBLESHOOTING
Health care providers should determine with the patient why they made this choice, what sexual activities they will say "yes" to and whether they have discussed these with their partner. lt is also important to help patients avoid high pressure sexual situations and te ach them techniques for saying "no." lt is also important to suggest that condoms be readily available in case they change their minds; they must also be aware of emergency contraceptive options.
ADVANTAGES OF ABSTINENCE minimal risk of misuse freedom from the threat of STD and HIV infection, if no exchange of body fluids
-
no physical side effects
-
no need to visit a health care provider
-
no cost, unless condoms and dams are used
JOURNALSOGC
does not encourage the use of other methods of contraception if behaviour patterns change
Knowledge and acceptance of non-coital pleasuring techniques (see section on Sexual Health).
nancy, this method is very effective and allows a couple to be involved in other forms of sexual expression without increasing the risk of pregnancy. However, if the goal is to avoid sexually transmitted infection, then oral-genital sex, anal-genital sex, and other activities that expose the partner to pre-ejaculatory fluid, semen, cervical-vaginal secretions or blood must be avoided. While very few cases of HIV transmission have been reported in which the only transmission of fluid has been during oral sex, mouth-to-penis contact (fellatio) can transmit gonorrhoea, syphilis, hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus and chlamydia. Mouth-to-vulva contact (cunnilingus) can transmit herpes and syphilis. The use of a dry latex condom during fellatio or adam during cunnilingus can be effective. Spermicidal condoms are not recommended, as they are unlikely to provide better protection, and the taste is very often unpleasant.
-
may be too restrictive for some couples
-
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR THE USE OF THIS METHOD?
EFFICACY AND EFFECTIVENESS
-
-
692
JUNE 1998
ABSTINENCE AS A CHOICE OF CONTRACEPTION WHY CONSIDER THIS METHOD?
DISADVANTAGES OF ABSTINENCE
Giving and receiving sexual pleasure without penetration is an important part of sexual expression for both men and women, and is effective in decreasing the risk of STD and pregnancy.
If the goal of abstinence is to avoid unwanted preg-
WHAT ARE THE IMPLEMENTATION STEPS FOR INITIATING ABSTINENCE?
Couples practising abstinence deserve respect, encouragement and non-judgemental support. They should be offered education about other methods ofbirth contral and safer sex to help them in the future if their sexual agenda changes. TROUBLESHOOTING
Health care providers should determine with the patient why they made this choice, what sexual activities they will say "yes" to and whether they have discussed these with their partner. lt is also important to help patients avoid high pressure sexual situations and te ach them techniques for saying "no." lt is also important to suggest that condoms be readily available in case they change their minds; they must also be aware of emergency contraceptive options.
ADVANTAGES OF ABSTINENCE minimal risk of misuse freedom from the threat of STD and HIV infection, if no exchange of body fluids
-
no physical side effects
-
no need to visit a health care provider
-
no cost, unless condoms and dams are used
JOURNALSOGC
does not encourage the use of other methods of contraception if behaviour patterns change
Knowledge and acceptance of non-coital pleasuring techniques (see section on Sexual Health).
nancy, this method is very effective and allows a couple to be involved in other forms of sexual expression without increasing the risk of pregnancy. However, if the goal is to avoid sexually transmitted infection, then oral-genital sex, anal-genital sex, and other activities that expose the partner to pre-ejaculatory fluid, semen, cervical-vaginal secretions or blood must be avoided. While very few cases of HIV transmission have been reported in which the only transmission of fluid has been during oral sex, mouth-to-penis contact (fellatio) can transmit gonorrhoea, syphilis, hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus and chlamydia. Mouth-to-vulva contact (cunnilingus) can transmit herpes and syphilis. The use of a dry latex condom during fellatio or adam during cunnilingus can be effective. Spermicidal condoms are not recommended, as they are unlikely to provide better protection, and the taste is very often unpleasant.
-
may be too restrictive for some couples
-
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR THE USE OF THIS METHOD?
EFFICACY AND EFFECTIVENESS
-
-
692
JUNE 1998