Birth Control
Birth control
Methods of Birth control
Physical methods
Barrier methods
Hormonal methods
Ormeloxifene (Centchroman)
Intrauterine methods
Emergency contraception
Induced abortion
Sterilization
Behavioral methods
Fertility awareness
Coitus interruptus
Avoiding vaginal intercourse
Abstinence
Lactational
Abortion
Ease of use and Side effects of Birth control Methods
Methods in development
Male contraceptive
Religious views on birth control
Birth control education
Birth control providers
Birth control activists
Critics of contraception
Home » Abstinence

Abstinence
A particular period of time when an individual voluntarily refrain oneself from partial or all facets of sexual activities is referred to as sexual abstinence. Some of the common reasons which lead one to carry out sexual abstinence voluntarily are philosophical or religious reasons, depression, anxiety, prevention of unnecessary pregnancy, depressing past experiences or it may be due to legal restrictions. Sexual activities between anyone else apart from your own spouse are prohibited in many religions. Moreover, abstinence is a recommended for unmarried persons in order to maintain chastity. In respect of chastity and religious matters many individuals follow sexual abstinence for years.
Till the 1960s the western countries also followed abstinence to a great extent; however, later premarital chastity was no more respected in these countries.

Lifelong abstinence is generally associated with religion, which says that chastity should be maintained till the time one is not married. There are several groups with diverse norms which look at abstinence as an admirable act and also a way to control one’s physical and material requirements. In religions like Christianity, Buddhism and so forth priests and minks are supposed to lead a life of abstinence. This path of lifelong abstinence is chosen by the religious priests voluntarily, without any external force or compulsion. Moreover, for some other individuals also sexual abstinence is mere a way to lead life. People disliking the concept of sex or not interested in it are the ones who fall under this category. Others who accept this particular lifestyle indulge in sex for reproduction while others engage themselves in masturbation or romantic relationships.

Alike everything, sexual abstinence also has its own pros and cons. In some individuals it become a tough task to abstain from sex for a prolonged period, especially when you are with your partner. Just after abstinence for a long time, people forget to protect themselves and their partner from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Besides these basic negative points, the positive side of abstinence unfolds a 100 percent effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Moreover, sexual abstinence saves people from emotional and physical risks, and health disorders (mainly in women).

Medical study says that abstinence in case of male helps them to control the reduction of vitality. With the ejaculation of semen one loses vital nutrients such as phosphorous and lecithin, which are mostly found in the brain. Whereas, researchers also say that frequent ejaculation leads to lessening of the risk of prostate cancer. Moreover, forceful implication of sexual abstinence due to religious norms in some of the countries can lead to high rate of violence and crime. Forceful sexual repression leads to an increase in insensitivity, aggression, criminal and torturing behavior in individuals. In present day’s life sexual abstinence is a recommended medium to avoid unnecessary sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. With the growth of population in almost every country practicing sexual abstinence is suggested, not only for birth control but also for one’s own healthcare. Presently, abstinence has become a significant part of the programs and movements chalked out for AIDS and sex education.