More and more women are trying to avoid pregnancy without the help of pills or other chemical-based birth control drugs. If you constantly monitor your body's reproductive cycle and avoid sexual intercourse during your fertile period, you can avoid pregnancy without using any contraceptive method. Natural pregnancy control methods can help you understand your body and take better control of your sex life.
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Part 1 of 5: Understanding Your Fertility Cycle
Step 1. Learn about ovulation
Ovulation occurs when one of the ovaries (ovary) releases an egg which then passes through the fallopian tube. The egg is ready to be fertilized for the next 12 to 24 hours if it meets a sperm cell. If the egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, the egg becomes implanted in the wall of the uterus (uterus), or in other words, pregnancy occurs. If for 12-24 hours the egg is not fertilized, the cell will be removed along with the lining of the uterus, and this is called menstruation.
In most women, ovulation occurs halfway through the menstrual cycle. The average cycle is 28 days, but ranges from 24 or less to 32 or more days. When you have your period, the cycle repeats itself
Step 2. Learn the meaning of fertility
When you have intercourse, sperm cells are fired into your body. In your body, sperm cells can live up to 5 days. You can get pregnant if you have unprotected intercourse for five days before ovulation until the day you ovulate. This time span is your fertile period, and to avoid pregnancy, unprotected intercourse should be avoided during this time.
- It seems simple, but in reality it is quite difficult to determine exactly when the fertile period begins and ends. This is because the menstrual cycle of each woman is different.
- The whole point of any contraceptive method, natural or not, is to prevent sperm cells from fertilizing an egg during your fertile window.
Step 3. Understand how contraception works
Natural contraception, also known as fertility awareness or natural family planning, consists of two parts. First, you should keep track of your reproductive cycle well to determine when it starts and ends. Second, avoid intercourse during your fertile period. If applied perfectly, this method is 90 percent effective. If applied in general, the effectiveness is 85 percent (only 1 percent less than the effectiveness of the condom method).
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Step 1. Purchase a basal thermometer
Basal body temperature is the lowest body temperature in a 24-hour period. A woman's body experiences a slight rise in temperature after ovulation. Regularly monitoring your basal body temperature can tell you exactly when your peak fertility period will begin. Basal thermometers can be purchased at pharmacies, and are usually sold with a chart to help you monitor your temperature on a daily basis.
It is very important to use a basal body thermometer. This thermometer measures temperature changes in great detail. Regular temperature thermometers are not accurate enough to measure your basal body temperature
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 5 Step 2. Measure and record your basal body temperature every morning
For a high level of measurement accuracy, take your basal temperature at the same time every day. The trick, basal temperature is measured right when you wake up, before you get out of bed and move. Keep a thermometer at your bedside and make it a habit to take your basal body temperature right after getting up in the morning.
- Basal body temperature can be measured vaginally or by mouth. Temperatures taken vaginally are more accurate than those taken by mouth. However, whichever point you choose, vaginal or oral, the temperature must be measured at the same point every day to obtain consistent data.
- To take your temperature, follow the setting instructions that came with the thermometer, then insert the thermometer into your vagina. When you hear a beep about 30-60 seconds later, write the temperature that appears on the thermometer into your chart or diary. Also be sure to write down the date of the temperature measurement.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 6 Step 3. Watch for spikes lasting between 7-12 days
Before ovulation, the average basal body temperature ranges between 36.2 and 36.5 degrees Celsius. In the two to three days after ovulation, body temperature will rise between 0.4 and 1.0 degrees. This high temperature usually lasts for 7-12 days before the body temperature drops again. Tracking the temperature rise from month to month will show you the pattern of your next ovulation cycle.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 7 Step 4. Monitor your basal body temperature daily for at least three months
The accuracy of this method can only be said to be adequate if the body temperature is taken for at least three months or more. If the cycle is regular, three months of data should be enough to help you predict the time of peak fertility in the next month.
- If your ovulation cycle is irregular, take your temperature for at least six months to get a reliable pattern.
- It should be noted that illness, stress, alcohol, and various other factors can affect your body temperature. That is why, other tracking methods need to be done as a comparison against this method.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 8 Step 5. Analyze the pattern you get to anticipate ovulation
After three months of taking your basal temperature each day, use the data you find to anticipate when ovulation will come. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when ovulation will occur, but three months of data will help you figure out your general fertility timeframe. Interpret your data in the following way:
- Look at your chart and find days when temperature spikes occur at regular intervals each month.
- Mark two or three days before the temperature spike occurs on the calendar. That day is the approximate day of ovulation. Remember, the temperature spike doesn't occur until 2-3 days after ovulation.
- In practicing natural contraception, avoid unprotected sexual intercourse at least five days before ovulation is expected to begin, until the day you ovulate.
- Combine the results of the basal temperature method with the results of other methods to find out your fertility period more accurately.
Part 3 of 5: Observing Your Cervical Mucus
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 9 Step 1. Check your cervical mucus every morning
The examination begins after your menstrual blood flow decreases. Cervical mucus, which is released as vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea), exhibits a texture, color and odor that changes throughout the cycle. You can predict your body's fertility period by checking vaginal mucus every day.
- Examination of vaginal mucus is done by washing hands first. Then, sweep two fingers into your vagina.
- You can also use a cotton bud to scoop up mucus. However, you should still touch the slime with your hands to check its texture.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 10 Step 2. Check the texture and color of the mucus
The characteristics of vaginal mucus change every day following fluctuations in hormone levels. The presence of several types of mucus indicates your body is or will be ovulating. Here are some of the types of mucus displays that appear during the reproductive cycle:
- In the 3-5 days after menstruation ends, there may be no or only a small amount of mucus coming out of the vagina. The chances of getting pregnant at this time are very small.
- After a dry period, the mucus will feel cloudy and have a slightly sticky texture. There is a chance of getting pregnant at this time, but it is quite small.
- Next, the mucus begins to look white or yellowish and has a soft, lotion-like texture. The chances of getting pregnant at this time are quite high, but your fertility cycle is still not peaking.
- After that, the mucus will feel cloudy and sticky again for a few days.
- The cycle ends when menstruation comes.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 11 Step 3. Record each characteristic of your vaginal mucus
Write down the color and texture of your mucus each day. Record it on the same chart as the basal body temperature chart, so all the data is in one place. Don't forget to write down the day and date. Here's an example of a note you can make:
- 22/4: Mucus is white and feels sticky.
- 26/4: Mucus appears white and stretchy, like egg whites.
- 31/4: Menstruation begins. Plenty of blood flow.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 12 Step 4. Record and analyze the characteristic pattern of your cervical mucus
The data you record will only be useful if this pattern is tracked for three months or more. Start looking for your personal pattern so that the next month fertility can be predicted.
- Your fertility cycle is at its peak when the mucus is thick and sticky, resembling egg white. It's best to stop sexual activity completely when the mucus changes from sticky to smooth.
- Compare cervical mucus data patterns with basal body temperature data. Your mucus will turn wet and elastic a few days before your basal body temperature spikes. Ovulation usually occurs between a change in mucus and a spike in temperature.
Part 4 of 5: Monitoring Your Cycle on the Calendar
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 13 Step 1. Know your menstrual cycle
In addition to taking your basal body temperature and testing cervical mucus, you can also use a calendar to track your cycle and help predict fertility intervals. Most women have a menstrual cycle of 26-32 days. However, some women have cycles that are shorter or longer than that time. The cycle begins on the day of menstruation and ends when the next menstruation occurs.
- For most women, the cycle changes every month. Stress, illness, weight changes, and other factors affect the length of your cycle.
- In order to function properly, synergize the calendar method with other natural contraceptive methods.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 14 Step 2. Monitor your cycle on the calendar
Circle the date of the first day of the cycle starting each month. At the end of each cycle, count the length of your cycle.
- Track up to at least eight cycles to get accurate data on your cycle duration.
- Record the total days per cycle and watch for patterns that emerge.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 15 Step 3. Use this pattern to predict your fertility period
First of all, find the shortest menstrual cycle. Then, subtract the number of days by 18 and record the result. After that, find the date of the first day of the current cycle. Count forward from the first day of the currently ongoing cycle, as much as the previously recorded subtraction result. Supposedly, the result is the first day of your fertility period.
To determine your last fertile day, find the longest cycle ever recorded. Subtract the number of days by 11, and record the result. Find the first day of the current cycle and count forward as many calculations as you recorded earlier. Supposedly, the result is the last day of your fertility period
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 16 Step 4. Don't rely on this method without trying other methods
You may be tempted to skip the basal body temperature and cervical mucus methods. However, the calendar method alone is not accurate enough to predict your fertility period. Use this method to strengthen the results of other methods.
- Too many factors can affect the length of the cycle, so this method is not reliable if it is not accompanied by the use of other methods.
- If your menstrual cycle is irregular, this method may not provide useful information.
Part 5 of 5: Leveraging Your Findings
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 17 Step 1. Know when exactly your fertility period
The fertile period begins when all the signs indicate that you are about to ovulate. After using each tracking method for a few months, you should have an idea of when fertility begins. Your body may be in its fertile period when:
- Your records show that your basal body temperature will spike within 3-5 days, when you will be ovulating.
- Your cervical mucus is white or yellowish in color and feels soft, just before it turns wet, elastic and has an egg white-like texture.
- Your calendar shows that the first day of fertility has begun.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 18 Step 2. Decide when you will have sex while thinking smartly
For most women who avoid pregnancy, the time that is forbidden to have intercourse lasts for six days, namely the day of ovulation and the five days before it. Many women are playing it safe by avoiding sex for at least a week before ovulation occurs, and a few days after. Some women stop doing it exactly five days before ovulation is expected to occur. Once you have enough data, you can make your own decisions.
- You should be careful first, because you are not familiar with natural methods of contraception. Give yourself time to get to know your own body, before taking the plunge.
- After using the sympto-thermal method for six months or a year, you should have a good understanding of your reproductive cycle. You can narrow down your sex avoidance time based on the data you get.
Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Step 19 Step 3. Rely on another type of contraception in case your tracking lags
If you forget to record your basal temperature or check your vaginal mucus, don't rely on natural contraception to avoid pregnancy until you have at least three months of data or more. For the time being, use condoms or other forms of contraception.
Realistically, What Will You Experience?
- If you use only natural pregnancy control methods, your chances of success in avoiding pregnancy within a year are 75%.
- The chances of getting pregnant are higher if your periods are irregular. Therefore, teenage girls have a higher chance of getting pregnant than adult women.
- You will learn a lot about your body and better adjust to your menstrual cycle by taking your basal body temperature and checking your vaginal mucus daily.
- If you find it difficult to consistently log data every day, try using a special tool or a special application on your phone.
Warning
- These methods do not protect you from STDs. Use condoms to prevent yourself from contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- There is no method that is one hundred percent effective in preventing pregnancy, except by abstaining from sexual intercourse altogether.
