Abstinence

• Communication: Set boundaries with your partner and don’t be afraid to speak your mind.


• Support: You and your partner need to be on the same page, and they must support and respect your wishes not to have sex.

Abstinence is a decision that you’ll have to stick with on a daily basis. If you do decide to start having sex, just make sure you’re ready and protected with a form of birth control.

• Avoid putting yourself in situations where it’ll be hard to stick to your decision.


• Find people you can talk to about your decision and lean on their support.


• Talk about your decision with your partner well before you’re in the heat of the moment.


• Be totally straightforward and clear about your limits.


• Explore other sexual options you might enjoy just as much.

If abstinence isn’t working for you anymore, you should look into using protection. Use our Birth Control Tool to help you find the protection that works best for you.