Despite the variety and availability of modern barrier and hormonal contraceptives, natural methods of contraception continue to be very popular. According to the observations of gynecologists, more than half of the women surveyed use them to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Although such methods differ in their physiological nature, their effectiveness is extremely low.
Typical representatives of this group include two options - the calendar method and interrupted sexual intercourse. But we are only talking about the first one - if used correctly, it can be really effective. The whole problem is that women, using it, are guided by dubious sources - the advice of relatives or girlfriends. Therefore, obtaining reliable information will allow you to protect yourself “wisely”.
Since it is simply impossible to eliminate the calendar method of contraception, it is therefore important to modify it as much as possible, making it possible to use it. Therefore, an important direction is the maximum obtaining of information about it. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages will allow a woman to reconsider her views on contraception or make an effective addition to it.
concept
The calendar method can be called not only physiological, but also completely natural - its implementation does not require additional means or devices. Its whole essence lies only in the commission of sexual intercourse on certain days. menstrual cycle:
- Despite its historical nature, the method was recorded in the literature only at the beginning of the 20th century. Moreover, his study had a completely opposite interest - finding out the fertile interval (days with the maximum probability of becoming pregnant).
- Accordingly, observations have given another fact - in the menstrual cycle of a woman there is a period characterized by a minimum possibility of conception.
- The starting point for the assessment was the determination of the moment of ovulation - the release of a mature egg from the ovary. Therefore, a period consisting of several days before and after this event has a high probability of pregnancy.
- But closer to the next menstruation, cyclic hormonal changes reduce the likelihood of fertilization. Therefore, sexual intercourse during this period will not lead to conception - there are no conditions for its commission.
- If we take approximate numbers, then safe days take a gap of about two weeks (with a menstrual cycle consisting of 28 days). At the same time, it is almost divided in half by the first day of the onset of the next menstruation.
The calendar method requires a high responsibility from a woman - she should not know the approximate duration of the cycle, but strictly maintain a monthly calendar, be sure to determine the day of ovulation.
Advantages
It was the absence of any extraneous manipulations that determined the high popularity of the method - a woman just needs to know when she has safe days. The advantages of this method of contraception are best considered in comparison with other possible options:
- Unlike hormonal contraceptive pills, it has no systemic effect on the body. Therefore, the method is characterized by the complete absence of contraindications and side effects. Therefore, along with interrupted sexual intercourse, this method of protection is the most physiological and safe.
- There are also a number of advantages over barrier methods, and the main one is the lack of connection with sexual intercourse. Immediately before sex or after it is not required to carry out any activities that have a distracting effect. And the most important factor - the calendar method does not affect the sensations, which change significantly when using condoms or spermicides.
- The generalized point for both options is the material side of the issue. Not every family or couple is able to allocate a stable amount of money for effective protection. Therefore, such contraception is the most budget option for such people.
But all the pluses are almost completely covered by the minuses - it is not for nothing that natural methods are considered the most ineffective in gynecological practice.
Flaws
But the calendar method already has its own negative points, and it makes no sense to list them in comparison. Each of them should lead the woman to the idea that it is better to choose a different method of protection:
- Immediately it is worth mentioning the Pearl index - it was specially designed to evaluate the effectiveness of contraception. Its value shows how many women out of 100 became pregnant, being protected by this method. For the calendar method, it ranges from 9 to 40 (slightly lower than that of coitus interruptus).
- It is only suitable for women with regular and steady menstrual cycles. For correct definition the safe interval is required to be approximately the same length of at least 12 months.
- Spermatozoa in the vaginal cavity die quickly, but in the cervical mucus they can persist for up to 6 days. Therefore, with a short menstrual cycle, the probability of fertilization remains throughout its duration.
- The method does not protect the woman from possible infection sexually transmitted diseases and other sexually transmitted diseases. A person who is protected in this way should always remember about possible risk. Therefore, it is by no means suitable for casual sex.
At present, the calendar method has not lost its relevance, but it should only be used in combination with other options - barrier or hormonal contraception.
Application
To correctly determine safe days, two prerequisites are required - keeping a diary of menstrual cycles, as well as using special formulas. Such a competent approach will minimize the likelihood of pregnancy:
- A diary should be kept even before the use of such contraception - to assess the regularity of menstruation. With it, a woman determines the main parameter - the total duration of the cycle. Currently, it is possible to purchase simplified versions - ready-made calendars in which you only need to mark the necessary days.
- Then, using the first formula, the beginning of the fertile period is determined. To do this, 18 days are subtracted from the duration of the shortest cycle.
- The second formula allows you to calculate the end of the days during which the maximum probability of conception remains. It is necessary to choose the longest cycle, and subtract 11 days from this figure.
- The resulting gap is considered safe - during it, sexual intercourse with least likely will end in fertilization. For convenience, its duration is also better noted in the diary of cycles.
The moment of border safe days is important (three days at the beginning and end of the period) - it is believed that during them it is better to use barrier contraception.
Necklace
Recently, the Austrian gynecologist Maria Hengstberger has developed a special pocket device for daily monitoring of the course of the menstrual cycle. Outwardly, it looks like a necklace consisting of multi-colored beads:
- The ratio of the balls roughly corresponds to the division of the cycle into several parts.
- A few red ones (from 3 to 5) represent periods, blue beads characterize the fertile period, and yellow beads indicate the safe period.
- The number of balls in the necklace is 28, which is typical for the average duration of the menstrual cycle.
- It also has a special device - a rubber ring that can move through the beads. A woman must move it forward daily, independently determining the onset of a safe period.
- The first red ball is taken as the starting point - it corresponds to the beginning of menstruation.
A special necklace is an alternative to a calendar only if the length of the cycle matches the number of beads in it.
Combined variant
Since the calendar method itself is limited in time, its combination with barrier methods of contraception is optimal. Their combined use will allow you to have an active sex life during the fertile period:
- After determining the safe interval, it is important to immediately subtract three days from it at the beginning and end. They are considered borderline - when the probability of getting pregnant remains high.
- As a result, about 7 days remain, during which the probability of conception becomes extremely low. In this interval, you can not use additional means used for protection.
- But in the borderline and fertile period, determined using the calendar, it is better to use barrier methods of contraception. Their choice is now diverse - these are condoms, as well as spermicides in the form of vaginal tablets, suppositories, gels or foams.
Contrary to misconceptions, douching now does not belong to any group of contraceptives. Therefore, its implementation should not be made an alternative to the listed barrier methods.
We are talking about various methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy. In this article, we decided to tell you more about symptothermal method and Ogino-Knaus calendar method to understand the positive and negative properties of these methods.
In the twenties of the twentieth century, gynecologists: the Austrian Knaus and the Japanese Ogino developed a method calendar contraception. The method is based on the calculation of the expected timing of ovulation and abstinence from sexual intercourse on days that are especially favorable for conception. calendar method, one of the most unreliable methods of protection. Pregnant from 9 to 40% of women using this method. Therefore, a more advanced method of calendar protection was developed, symptothermal method, in which, in addition to calculating the date of ovulation, the physiological state of the woman is taken into account.
Method of calendar protection according to Ogino-Knaus 
This method is the most natural method of protection. It is based on observations and calculations. Since there is no interference with natural activity female body, calendar contraception is the only method of contraception approved by the Roman Catholic Church.
The secret of the method is as follows. Sperm after intercourse remain alive inside the vagina for only a few hours, and once at the cervix, they remain active from 2 to 7 days. During ovulation (leaving the ovary), the egg can only be fertilized during the day. Knowing the time of ovulation, sex can be planned in such a way as to prevent unwanted pregnancy, even theoretically. For safe use calendar protection method according to Ogino-Knaus, a calendar of menstrual cycles should be kept throughout the year. But it should be noted that this method is only suitable for women who have a regular menstrual cycle. Only the most minor malfunctions in the hormonal system, illness, nervous stress can change the menstrual cycle and, as a result, there will be errors in the calculations, and, as a result, pregnancy.
- The beginning of the fertile (dangerous, in the sense of getting pregnant) period should be calculated according to the formula: 18 days should be subtracted from the duration of the shortest menstrual cycle;
- The end of the fertile period can be calculated by the formula: subtract 11 days from the duration of the longest menstrual cycle.
For example, following the last 12 cycles, it turns out that the duration of the shortest menstrual cycle was 25 days, and the longest one lasted 33 days. It follows that from day 7 (25-18) to day 22 (33-11) of the cycle (the 1st day of the cycle is the first day of menstruation), this is the most suitable days. If there is a need for protection from pregnancy, then on such days one should refrain from sexual intercourse, or use other methods of protection at this time. And, on the contrary, from 1 to 7 days and from 22 days until the end of the menstrual cycle according to the Ogino-Knaus method, you can not protect yourself.
Calendar symptothermal method
With a 27-day menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs on the 13th day of the cycle. This is the average value. Most women have a different cycle, and ovulation occurs a little earlier or a little later. To correct the shortcomings of contraception using the Ogino-Knaus method, gynecologists proposed to supplement the calculation of the date of ovulation in the calendar with three more parameters. The first parameter is to monitor body temperature (temperature method of contraception). The second parameter is monitoring the state of cervical mucus released from the uterus (cervical method). The third parameter is monitoring changes in the position of the cervix, its openness and softness. The results of observations should be recorded in a special calendar, thanks to which you can determine the safest days for sex.
The effectiveness of the calendar symptothermal method is incredibly high. And it is second only to complete sterilization. Proper use of the method leads to the fact that only 3 women out of 1000 have an unplanned pregnancy (0.3%!). Comparable only with the reception hormonal contraceptives and far exceeds the result from the use of other contraceptives for women. But this method is not effective against genital infections. For the correct application of the symptothermal method, it is necessary to monitor your condition daily. It only takes 10 minutes daily. This method seems to be very complicated and practical training is recommended at the beginning of application.
The calendar method of contraception has been used by women as contraception for many years. This way to avoid unwanted pregnancy is free and convenient for both partners. And a woman is only required to carefully monitor the menstrual cycle and, preferably, her feelings.
So, how are safe days calculated, what is needed for this? Know the length of your menstrual cycle. And it is desirable to take average indicators. To do this, calculate the sum of all the days of the menstrual cycles for the last 6 months and divide by 6. The resulting number, usually 26-35, is divided by 2. This way you can get the approximate day of ovulation. Well, since spermatozoa live in the female genital tract for up to three days, three days before ovulation are also dangerous. But in order to protect yourself for sure, it is better to abstain for three days after ovulation.
If you decide to use a calendar method of contraception and want to calculate ovulation, then the most favorable days for conception will help you calculate the calendar that the program will calculate especially for you. And your task will only be to remember the first day of the last menstrual cycle and its (cycle) duration.
Coitus interruptus as a method of contraception is often used in conjunction with the calendar. It improves its efficiency. But it would be even better, in addition to the calendar, to be guided by your feelings. Many women have learned to feel ovulation. In this way, you can more accurately “adjust” safe days. So, what are the signs of ovulation, the day when in no case should you have sex without a reliable contraceptive, if pregnancy is not included in the plans.
1. Pain. Pulling or stabbing from the side. Not strong, not requiring anesthesia, not worsening well-being.
2. Increasing sexual desire.
3. Abundant mucous vaginal discharge, rarely bloody.
4. A sharp increase in basal temperature (by about 0.4-0.6 degrees).
After ovulation, women feel soreness in the area of the mammary glands. There may be swelling in the evenings. And a little later, signs of premenstrual syndrome appear.
Pregnancy protection by natural contraception is considered more reliable if ovulation is determined using special tests sold in pharmacies. However, this method is very costly.
One way to plan a family is to prevent pregnancy using a calendar. This method begins with the fact that the woman should calculate the estimated day and refrain from sexual intercourse on the days that are the most suitable days for conception. These days are called the fertile period and are the seven days before and after ovulation.
The method of protection according to the calendar is one of the most reliable "contraceptives". There are many other ways to prevent pregnancy, but natural methods are safer. Spermatozoa can live in the vagina for a couple of hours, and in the cervix they can “stretch” for about three days, sometimes a week. After leaving the ovary for a day, the egg can be fertilized.
It takes twelve months to properly prevent pregnancy according to the calendar. But for women with irregular menstruation, this method is not suitable.
How to calculate pregnancy protection on a calendar?
To correctly calculate the days on which you can get pregnant, there is a certain formula:
- The fertile period is equal to the duration of the shortest cycle minus eighteen days.
- The end of the fertile period is equal to the duration of the shortest cycle minus eleven days.
For example, according to observations of twelve cycles, the shortest for the entire year is 26 days. The longest cycle is thirty-two days. So the most auspicious days for the conception of a child are the days of the cycle from the eighth to the twenty-first. Therefore, in order to prevent fertilization, it is better to refrain from sex or use condoms and other methods of contraception. Already from the 21st day and from the first to the eighth day you can not protect yourself.
natural protection against pregnancy
To date, natural methods of protection are the safest for women's health, as a result of which they are quite popular. But with such protection, there are drawbacks, due to which such methods are not possible for some couples.
A woman is able to conceive only 1-4 days a month. The life span of an egg, like that of a butterfly, is short, and in order for conception to occur, spermatozoa must have time to meet it alive. Therefore, if you correctly determine the period of ovulation (it usually falls somewhere in the middle of the menstrual cycle), the risk of unwanted pregnancy can be minimized by being careful on the "fertile" days and enjoying unrestricted sex on all other days.
Not just mechanical counting
“We know, we know,” some will chuckle, “we tried to calculate all these days according to the calendar, and nothing good came of it.” And they will be right. The so-called calendar method, which even previous generations tried to resort to, cannot be relied upon. If only because there are many women with an irregular menstrual cycle, and its fluctuations due to certain circumstances can occur in everyone. We will talk about a method based on the signs of fertility. Often it is also called symptothermal, because it includes observing some external symptoms and measuring temperature. At the same time, it is not necessary to refuse the calendar method, just its role will be rather auxiliary.
How to apply?
The task of the method is to determine the beginning and end of the fetal period in a woman. For this you need:
Excretion monitoring. Shortly after the end of menstruation, women develop mucous discharge. Their traces can be seen on underwear or on a paper napkin while visiting the toilet. If a woman feels moisture at the entrance to the vagina, it's time to take precautions - although ovulation has not yet begun, the vaginal environment is already suitable for the survival of spermatozoa (and they can live 3-5, or even 7 days under suitable conditions). The closer to ovulation, the brighter the character of the cervical mucus is manifested: at the most fertile time it is plentiful, transparent and extensible (similar to raw egg white). Flexibility can be tested by taking a little mucus between the thumb and forefinger. Conception is possible until 4 days have passed after the peak of these signs. Then the discharge becomes dryish or stops altogether, which means absolute safety.
Monitoring the condition of the cervix. This is easy to learn, especially for those women who are used to using sanitary tampons. The condition of the neck is best checked with the middle finger (it is the longest). On fertile days, the cervix is high, soft to the touch, like lips, and wet. On the day of ovulation, these signs reach their peak. After ovulation, the cervix drops down and becomes firm. 3 days later, we can assume that the fetal period is over.
Measurement of basal body temperature. Every morning, before getting out of bed, a woman should measure her basal body temperature during the cycle in the same way (in the rectum or in the vagina) and with the same thermometer. During ovulation, a woman's body temperature rises by 0.2-0.5 degrees. If the temperature has stayed at an elevated level for 3 days, you can afford to relax.
Additional signs of ovulation. Specific sensations in the abdomen, engorgement and soreness of the mammary glands, a sharp change in mood.
How to behave in a "dangerous" time?
What to do when “you can” does not need to be explained, because everything is possible. When “you can’t”, you will have to change your sexual behavior. Each couple does this according to their preferences. Strict adherents of naturalness can:
- refrain from vaginal intercourse, switching to other forms of sexual intercourse for a while;
- resort to the technique of interrupting sexual intercourse;
- take a break from your sex life.
The rest can use condoms, diaphragms and/or spermicides.
Errors are possible
According to the American Johns Hopkins University, the probability of error with this method of protection varies greatly: from 20 to 99%, depending on the correct application. Unfortunately, mistakes are possible here due to inattention, especially in the first year of using the method, when the woman has not yet learned to observe herself.
pros
- No side effects.
- Inexpensive or completely free.
- The method has no medical contraindications.
- Sometimes it's the only one possible way family planning for those who, for religious reasons, do not allow other methods of contraception.
- Instant restoration of fertility.
- The method can be used not only to prevent, but also to plan conception.
- The couple gets an idea about the structure of the female reproductive system.
- Men are involved in the family planning process.
Minuses
- The effectiveness of the method directly depends on the correct definition of the phase of the cycle.
- It will take 2 or 3 menstrual cycles to master, and at this time, other means must be used for safety net.
- Interferences such as heat, vaginal infection, recovery from childbirth, breastfeeding, and other conditions that affect discharge and body temperature can complicate the determination of fertility signs, making the method unreliable or difficult to perform.
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Practice
Get into math. The calendar (or rhythmic) method is a mathematical calculation of the fertile phase.
Write down the number of days of each menstrual cycle for at least six months. The first day is always considered the day of the beginning of menstruation.
Of all recorded cycles, choose the shortest and longest. Subtract 18 from the number of the shortest cycle. The resulting number is the first day of the fertile phase. Subtract 11 from the longest number. The resulting number is the day it ends.
That is, if the shortest cycle is, for example, 26 days, and the longest is 32, it will look like this: 26-18=8; 32-11=21. This means that unprotected sex is safe until the 8th and after the 21st day of the cycle.
Despite the fact that the calculations are made "with a margin", the calendar method helps more to determine the beginning, rather than the end of the fetal period.
Important
Are you afraid to take risks? Some consider menstruation to be a natural contraceptive. In fact, it does not always serve as an obstacle to conception. Although unprotected sex is considered safe in the first 5-6 days of the cycle, sometimes the fetal period begins earlier. During menstruation, the appearance of cervical mucus is difficult to notice, and therefore, if you do not want to take risks, start using protection from the first day.
