Abstinence:  Choosing to have no sex play with a partner provides protection against STI’s and pregnancy and has no medical or hormonal side effects. Abstinence can be challenging to maintain for long periods of time and when abstinence ends, it is important to use protection.

What do you gain if you decide to wait?

• Respect:  When you make a decision that’s right for you and stick with it, you respect yourself.

• Time:  You get to make sure you are ready before you have sex.

• Stronger relationships:  Trust and friendship may be easier.  You don’t have to worry about the confusion and strong feelings sex can bring.

What can you lose if you decide to have sex?

• Freedom:  Having sex can take away some of your freedom to choose the person who’s right for you, or to keep your life a little less complicated.

• Energy:  Safe, healthy sex takes planning and means responsibility.  You need to be able to talk openly with your partner.  You need to plan ahead to choose a form of birth control   You’ll want to make sure you don’t get an STD.  You have to find a safe place to have sex.

• Health:  If you have sex without using a condom, you might get an STD.  This can lead to serious health problems.

• Peace of Mind:  You might worry about a lot of things.  Does your partner really care for you, or is he or she just interested in sex?  What if you get pregnant or get someone pregnant?  What if you get an STD? 

• Future Plans:  A pregnancy will change your life.  So will an STD, especially a life-threatening one such as HIV.  If you want to travel, build a career or go to college, it could be much harder to do.

Birth Control Pills:  “The pill” is a series of pills that prevents a woman from ovulating, or producing eggs and thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from joining the egg. When taken properly, the pill provides excellent protection from pregnancy, but not from STI's.

Condom (male):  The male condom is a protective covering made of latex that fits over the penis and keeps semen from entering the vagina. Polyurethane condoms are available for those who are allergic to latex. The condom is easily accessible and inexpensive. Proper use of condoms lowers the risk of STI’s and unwanted pregnancy.

Condom (female):  The female condom is a polyurethane sheath that lines the entire vagina and partially covers the external genitals. The female condom can be inserted up to eight hours prior to intercourse. The female condom provides good protection against both unwanted pregnancies and STI’s.

Depo-Provera Shot:  This shot, taken every three months, prevents ovulation and interferes with sperm motility and implantation. Depo-Provera gives excellent coverage against pregnancy, but not from STI's.

Diaphragm, Caps:  These products are soft latex or silicone barriers that cover the cervix, which must be used with spermicides. They are placed into the vagina to cover the cervix and are inserted before intercourse. These methods provide fair coverage against unwanted pregnancies and good/fair coverage against STI’s.

Fertility Awareness: Understanding female fertility patterns can help avoid uninteded pregnancy. Couples who use this method avoid intercourse on unsafe days or use alternative birth control. High failure rates occur with typical use.

IUD:  The IUD is a small device inserted into the uterus that causes sperm immobilization and speeds ovum transport. This method may be used continuously for up to ten years. This method provides excellent protection against pregnancy, but not STI's.

Ring (NuvaRing): A small flexible ring is inserted into the vagina for three weeks and taken out for one week each month. The ring releases synthetic hormones to protect against pregnancy.

Spermicides:  These products are inserted into the vagina. They stop sperm from moving and joining with the egg. They also kill viruses, bacteria, and other organisms. Spermicides are available over the counter and when used alone are not very effective protection against STI’s and unwanted pregnancies. Spermacides can also be used as a back-up to male condoms.

Withdrawal:  When the man withdraws the penis from the vagina before he “comes”, there is still a risk of pregnancy if sperm are spilled and there is no protection from STI’s. This method requires self-control and is not suited for men who ejaculate prematurely. Risk of pregnancy is significantly highter than most other birth control options.