What is Abstinence?

Abstinence is the calculated decision and deliberate action to refrain from sexual activity.

Abstinence is choosing to save all sexual activity for marriage.

Sexual Abstinence includes refraining from:

• Sexual intercourse
• Oral sex
• Anal sex

It’s not enough just to avoid sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, consequences come from all types of sexual behavior. Consequences from oral, anal, and vaginal sex include STIs/STDs and emotional pain or trauma. To learn more about these consequences, please check out our sections on emotional side effects andSTI/STDs.