Abstinence
What
is mean by Abstinence?
Abstaining
from vaginal intercourse and intimate sex without intercourse can provide great
fulfilment.
Forms
of sexual intimacy can be:
- holding hands
- hugging
- kissing
- mutual masturbation
- petting
- oral-genital sex
- using stimulating devices such as
vibrators
Abstinence
from other behaviours may be required for protection from the risk of HIV/AIDS
and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Advantages
- No major health concerns
- No cost
- No medical examination needed
- Reduced risk of STD transmission
Disadvantages
- May be difficult to maintain
control under pressure
- Pregnancy and transmission of STDs
still may occur if couple's genitals touch
Fertility
Awareness
Fertility
awareness methods of birth control require a relatively stable ovulation cycle
relying on the identification of a woman's fertile and infertile days to
accurately determine her cycle by charting her body temperature and mucous
discharge on a daily basis. Consistent and accurate records have to be kept
especially when ovulation and periods occur. Natural Family Planning users do
not have intercourse during fertile time unless pregnancy is desired. Any
unpredictable irregularity in the cycle can carry the risk of pregnancy. For
more information you may like to read a good book about natural birth control
and getting pregnant.
Ovulation
and fertility kits.
This works well for some couples, but needs to be properly taught and scrupulously followed.
This works well for some couples, but needs to be properly taught and scrupulously followed.
Advantages
- No major health concerns
- Helpful in planning pregnancy
- No prescription needed
Disadvantages
- Temperature and mucus must be
checked every day
- Difficult for women with irregular
cycles
- Stress, illness, lack of sleep
douches or vaginal infection can affect fertility indicators and body
temperature
- Difficult to abstain from
intercourse during fertile periods
The
Ovulation Testing Pack
The
Ovulation Testing Pack is a completely new method of natural family planning
which allows you to enjoy lovemaking without using any contraceptives on most
days of your cycle. The pack includes a personal monitor that checks and
analyses your urine samples to indicate on which days of the month you are
likely to get pregnant. Contraceptives should be used on the fertile days if
you wish to make love.
Advantages
- No major health concerns
- Helpful in planning pregnancy
- Very easy to use
- 93-95 per cent reliable
Disadvantages
- Difficult to abstain from
intercourse during fertile periods
The
Rhythm Method
Couples
who use the rhythm ("safe time") method abstain from intercourse or
use another form of birth control during the fertile time in the woman's
menstrual cycle.
Ovulation
and fertility kits
Advantages
- No major health concerns
Disadvantages
- Difficult to abstain from
intercourse during fertile periods
- Method can fail because it is
possible for a woman to ovulate at any time during her cycle, including
while she is menstruating
Coitus
Interruptus (Withdrawal)
Coitus
interruptus (withdrawal) is a well used contraceptive technique. With this
method intercourse takes place until ejaculation is about to occur, at which
point the male pulls his penis out of the vagina before he ejaculates (comes)
to keep sperm from joining the egg. The problem is that there are often sperm
present in the little dribble of semen that escapes from most men prior to ejaculation
so it cannot be guaranteed as a method of contraception.
This
method requires a high level of trust and cooperation and couples may find it
unsatisfying to use. Withdrawing before ejaculation is better than using no
method at all but this method is definitely not to be recommended.
Advantages
- Is acceptable to most religious
groups
Disadvantages
- The male may fail to withdraw or
may not withdraw fast enough to prevent sperm from being released
- Strong self control is needed
- Before ejaculation, almost all
penises leak fluid that can cause pregnancy.
- Does not eliminate transmission of
HIV and other STDs
- Some men cannot tell when they are
going to ejaculate
- Some men ejaculate very quickly,
before they realize it
- Extremely unreliable as a method
of birth control
Douching
Douching
after intercourse is not an effective form of birth control, because some sperm
may reach a woman's uterus almost immediately after ejaculation. In addition,
douching may push sperm toward the uterus and increase the likelihood of
pregnancy.
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