"Not right now"

“Not right now” is our way of saying “no vaginal sex.” It’s a great method as far as effectiveness is concerned—if you use it 100% of the time, you’re guaranteed to not get pregnant. And if you’re avoiding sexual activity altogether, you’ll be safe from STIs too. But it does involve a whole lot of self-control.
Details
“Not right now” is our way of saying “no vaginal sex.” It’s a great method as far as effectiveness is concerned—if you use it 100% of the time, you’re guaranteed to not get pregnant. And if you’re avoiding sexual activity altogether, you’ll be safe from STIs too. But it does involve a whole lot of self-control.
Costs
Waiting requires patience, but it doesn’t cost a thing. With all the money you save not buying birth control, you can buy yourself some new toys to make the time pass more quickly.
How to Use It
#### Don't have vaginal sex.
Okay, we're being cheeky. But that's pretty much what it comes down to: A conscious, deliberate decision to not have vaginal sex. It's a choice you'll need to affirm each and every day. To stick with it, keep reminding yourself why you choose to not have vaginal sex, and think about the potential consequences of changing your decision. And if you decide to start having sex, that’s totally cool, too. Just make sure you’re protected with another form of birth control.
#### Other helpful hints:
* Avoid putting yourself in situations where it'll be hard to stick to your decision.
* Think about avoiding alcohol and drugs as well—they can mess with your judgment.
* 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 with him about your limits.
* Explore other sexual options you might enjoy just as much.
Side Effects
There are positive and negative things to say about each and every method. And everyone's different—so what you experience may not be the same as what your friend experiences.
The Positive
* Doesn't cost a thing * Never causes side effectsThe Negative
* Can be difficult to maintain * Hard to stick to the plan if you’re drunkQuestions
Do you have questions about "Not right now"? Visit Bedsider.org for answers to many of the most popular questions about this method of birth control.