How Well Does It Work?

How Well Does It Work?
Abstinence is the only form of birth control that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Although many other methods can have high rates of success if used properly, they can fail occasionally. The rate of success of other birth control methods varies depending on the type of birth control. Practicing abstinence, however, ensures that a girl will not become pregnant because there is no opportunity for sperm to fertilize an egg.
Protection Against STDsAbstinence protects people against STDs. Some STDs spread through oral-genital sex or even intimate skin-to-skin contact without actual penetration (genital warts and herpes can be spread this way). So only avoiding all types of intimate genital contact can prevent STDs. Avoiding all types of intimate genital contact is complete abstinence.
Only complete and consistent abstinence prevents pregnancy and protects against STDs. Because a person does not have any type of intimate sexual contact - including oral sex - when he or she practices complete abstinence, there is no risk of passing on a sexually transmitted infection.
Consistent abstinence means that the person practices abstinence all the time. Having sex even once means that the person risks getting an infection.
Abstinence does not prevent AIDS and hepatitis B infections that come from nonsexual activities like using contaminated needles for doing drugs, tattooing, or taking steroids.