Virginity pledges are a part of some abstinence-only programs and have even gotten big endorsements from celebrities like Jordin Sparks and the Jonas Brothers. The idea makes sense on paper: Take a virginity pledge and promise to not have sex. This pledge is supposed to help you remain abstinent, and we know abstinence is the only birth control that is 100-percent effective at preventing pregnancy and STDs. But what if taking a pledge doesn’t work, or even worse, puts you at risk for pregnancy and STDs?

According to a new study, teens that take virginity pledges are just as likely to have sex as teens that don’t take a pledge. Teens that pledged had just as many sexual partners and started having sex at the same age as those that didn’t pledge. And the teens that took the pledge were less likely to use protection when they eventually had sex!

You just can’t take a virginity pledge, cross your fingers and hope to not have sex! What happens if you don’t stick to your pledge and never learned about how to protect yourself from pregnancy and STDs? Whether or not you take a virginity pledge, make sure you know where to get tested, how to get birth control and how to properly use a condom. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared!

Lots of people think that once you have vaginal, oral or anal sex, you’re no longer a virgin. But some believe you can be a “born-again” virgin, either through a pledge of abstinence or even surgery.

If you lose your v-card, is it gone forever? Or can you have a sexual do-over and be a “born-again” virgin? There isn’t a simple answer to this question, especially since virginity means different things to different people.

We asked our users what they thought about reclaiming virginity:

“You’re only physically a virgin once. Maybe you can have a virgin heart again, but you’re PHYSICALLY a virgin once.”
—xjacknsallyx48, 16, IL

“Well, I certainly think you can have secondary virginity, when you pledge to be abstinent. I think the whole thing starts with your personal beliefs, like what you think would make this kind of thing official. I think if I would lose my virginity and want to have secondary virginity, then I would take the pledge with a friend or a group of friends so that they can hold me true to my word.”
—musicchickie, 14, MD

Whether you think virginity is lost forever or can be renewed, the important thing is this: Your first time should be a good time, without regrets. You know you’re totally prepared—mind, body and spirit—to have sex for the first time when you don’t have to doubt your decision. Then the reclaiming virginity debate doesn’t matter at all.

Just remember that the surest way to avoid STDs and pregnancy is to abstain from sex. Think you’re ready to lose your v-card? Read this FAQ before you take the plunge.