 Forestville Pregnancy Center
3426 Donnell Drive
Forestville, MD 20747
(301) 516-0500
Now Open:
Marlow Heights Pregnancy Ctr.3611 Branch Avenue
Marlow Heights, MD 20748
(301) 423-0063
|
|
|
|
What Is Abstinence?(Click on Above Picture)
Every person has a different definition of abstinence. For the purpose of this guide, abstinence includes refraining
from all types of sexual activity. This includes: vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, outercourse (dry sex or grinding),
mutual masturbation, and any other sexually gratifying activity. Many sexual activities cannot result in pregnancy, but
they are still considered an act of sexual intimacy. A number of these activities can still result in the transmission of
diseases. Whatever you do, it's important to make responsible sexual choices. Educate yourself about your options and
stay safe.
Why Abstinence?
Abstinence is everybody's first method of contraception. It is 100% effective in safeguarding against sexually
transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy. However, sexual abstinence can be a hard thing to practice.
Young people especially find the drive of hormones and curiosity difficult to overcome. If you want to practice
abstinence, try avoiding high-pressure situations like empty dorm rooms and the back seat of automobiles.
There are many pressures in society that make it difficult to save sex. Though it will be hard, you may find
that abstinence is far more rewarding then you ever thought it could be.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Men
For Men, condoms and other birth control methods fail and cannot guarantee that your girlfriend will not
become pregnant. There are some questions a guy needs to ask himself if he is sexually active:
I f your girlfriend became pregnant would you leave her?
Are you ready to support a child with your time, energy and money for at least the next 18 years?
Will you go with your girlfriend to tell her parents the news?
Are you willing to give your child a two-parent family?
Are you prepared to live with the decision of an abortion for the rest of your life?
Would you be willing to release your child for an adoption?
Are you willing to learn all about abortion so that you can anticipate possible medical complications
and relationship problems?
What is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?A STD is an infectious condition that is passed from one person to another through sexual contact, where bodily fluids are exchanged between partners. This occurs not only during vaginal intercourse, but during other activity ranging from “deep” kissing to oral and anal sex.What are the chances of getting an STD?Every year more than 12 million cases of STD’s are reported in the United States. If you engage in premarital sexualactivity,
you are very likely to contact at least one STD. In addition, you (or
your partner) may have an STD but don't know it because some STDs have
delayed symptoms. Teens are especially susceptible to STDs because they
have a lower level of antibodies, (which fight infection) than adults.
Sexual Exposure - How Many People have
YOU Been Exposed To?
Explanation:For this calculation, we assume that each time you had a new partner, they had only as many partners as you’ve had. So when you had your first, we assume you were his first. You now have one person who has only had you as a partner. ADD to that a second second partner who is in the same situation as you — only having had one prior partner. Now you are exposed to your first, your second, plus your second’s partner’s first, and so on. See how it works? A little sex goes a long way? Remember: When you have sex with someone, you are essentially having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years.Will condoms prevent STDs?STDs are not completely preventable with condoms. Some are transmitted by the skin exposed around the condom. In addition, condoms have a 17% failure rate.What are the dangers of STDs?Besides emotional trauma, discomfort, and expense for treatment, STDs can cause a variety of problems. These include brain and heart disorders, liver damage, cancer, future ectopic (tubal) pregnancies, sterility, immune system breakdown, and even death. Women suffer greater physical trauma than men. Even more traumatizing, an infant born to a mother with an STD can get it during delivery or while breast feeding. STDs can be especially harmful to infants due to the fragile nature of their very young lives. | |
