Physiological contraception. Cervical method of contraception Natural methods of contraception
Cervical method of contraception (also cervical mucus method, Billings method)– one of the methods of both preventing pregnancy and natural family planning. It got its name from Australian doctor John Billings, who noticed that before ovulation, cervical mucus changes in consistency, so it can be used to determine fertile days in the menstrual cycle.
Description of the cervical method of contraception
The cervical method of contraception consists of daily monitoring the consistency of cervical mucus and recording observations in a specially created table, starting from the last day of menstruation. For this purpose, you need to select the so-called symbols. “dry” days, when the inside of the vagina remains dry to the touch, the so-called. "fertile" days when you can observe different types, as well as the so-called “dangerous” days, during which the mucus has a wet and viscous consistency. The last “dangerous” day is the most favorable for conception, the so-called “peak day”.
According to the cervical method of contraception, during a time period unfavorable for conception, cervical mucus has a thick, possibly lumpy consistency; it forms a so-called “plug”. In this case, the discharge is almost invisible, and the vagina is more “dry” to the touch. Closer to the period of ovulation, the discharge becomes more fluid and also transparent. From now on, it is necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse or use other contraceptive methods (for example, a condom) if the cervical contraceptive method is used to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
During the period that is most favorable for conception, the mucus is quite “stringy” and can be easily stretched between the fingers. This cervical mucus resembles the consistency of raw egg white. After ovulation stops, the discharge becomes thick again and then disappears altogether. Since the structure of cervical mucus is modified several days before, as well as several days after the end of ovulation, the approximate day of ovulation can be calculated. After three days after the “peak day” favorable for conception and before the onset of menstruation, according to the cervical contraception method, it is allowed not to use protection.
Disadvantages of the cervical method of contraception
The cervical method of contraception has the following disadvantages:
- instability in the level of hormones that affect the formation of cervical mucus can cause stringy and moist mucus to appear several times during the menstrual cycle, although ovulation does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to make a mistake, consider that the “peak day” has already passed, and stop using contraception before the required time;
- the cervical method of contraception is not suitable for females with diseases of the cervix or vagina, since in this case it is not possible to determine the consistency of the secreted mucus;
- “dry” vagina means “safe” days, that is, days unfavorable for conception. However, many females experience discharge throughout their entire life. menstrual cycle. Therefore, the cervical method of contraception is also not suitable for them;
- The cervical method of contraception as a method of preventing pregnancy is not very effective, the Pearl index is approximately equal to fifteen, that is, fifteen women out of a hundred who were protected by this method for one year still became pregnant. But with proper implementation, as well as qualified training, the Pearl index for the cervical method of contraception is from one to three.
Combination with other techniques
The combination of the cervical method of contraception with the temperature method increases its effectiveness; the resulting combination (the so-called symptothermal method) has greater reliability, almost similar to that of hormonal contraception.
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| Symtothermal method of contraception |
Since ancient times, people have tried to control childbirth. Women tried to save themselves from some troubles or prevent the birth of a child from the “wrong” man. Men did not always want children to appear every time after he “accidentally” dropped his seed. The appearance of an unplanned, completely legitimate heir or bastard was often completely inappropriate for rulers. And economically, it was not easy to feed and raise numerous offspring. From time immemorial they have racked their brains and followed a thorny empirical path to prevent conception.
Today, out of a hundred women, 64 are protected. WHO statistics claim that it is thanks to modern contraception that it has been possible to reduce maternal mortality by half and infant mortality by three times.
All currently existing methods of contraception were known back in Ancient world. Let's try to follow the development of each of them from time immemorial to the present day.
Natural contraception
It refers to methods that do not require the use of special equipment. Success is guaranteed only by knowledge and some skills.
Coitus interruptus
This method today, according to statistics, is used by about 7% of the stronger sex.
The Latin phrase coitus interruptus - “interrupted sexual intercourse” - gives its name to probably the oldest method of preventing conception, which a man always has at his disposal. It was used by ancient Africans.
The third book of Genesis tells of the popularity of this method in Ancient Palestine.
He is described in detail in the Bible story about Onan, who was forced by his own father to have intercourse with his wife. sibling. Then the unfortunate man was noticed in sin - he spewed his seed onto the ground. As often happens, the story, passed from mouth to mouth, acquired other details, and as a result, poor Onan began to be mentioned in completely different circumstances.
Yogi way
An interesting physiological contraception was developed in India. Men mastered the special yoga technique “Vairoli Mudra”, which made it possible to block the sperm channel.
With the help of a special abdominal massage, the woman’s uterus was moved forward or backward. Later, European women who ended up in the Dutch part of the colony were also taught this method of contraception.
Prolongation of lactation
The poorest African tribes still practice this barbaric method of contraception. A nursing mother, prolonging lactation for several years, simply exhausts her body, and conception becomes impossible due to uterine dystrophy and infertility.
Ogino method
A simple biological method was developed by a Japanese doctor, after whom it was named. This attentive and experienced gynecologist suggested abstaining from sexual intercourse for 8 days a month. Only 2% of women in the world use the calendar method, perhaps because in a year there are as many as 96 days without sex.
Some, in order to reduce the time frame of the ban, use the method of daily measurement of basal temperature, which gives a more accurate idea of the onset of ovulation, and therefore “dangerous” days.
Samurai Egg
The ancient Japanese method of male contraception required only desire and self-discipline: one had to patiently hold the “manhood” for just a few minutes in a vessel with water at a temperature of at least 40 degrees for a couple of months. This protected against surprises after communicating with the opposite sex, at least for several months.
By the way, modern men inadvertently have the same “greenhouse effect”, heating what belongs to their primary sexual characteristics in traffic jams, sitting behind the wheel for several hours a day.
Barrier contraception
In an effort to take control of childbirth into their own hands, the progressive thought of mankind took another path, inventing special means that stood as a barrier between a man and a woman.
Chastity belt
Probably the most insurmountable barrier was the “chastity belt,” which was invented long before the Middle Ages. Even in ancient times, such “haberdashery” was quite popular among powerful of the world this, although such protections are often associated with the Arab World. They became widespread in the Middle Ages, when they were called “Bergamon castle” or “Venetian lattice”. Skilled craftsmen tried to come up with a “lock” with a special secret. Some were equipped with a small guillotine, which cut off everything that tried to open the belt, at the same time collecting “evidence” that could tell about attempts at female infidelity.
Male barrier contraceptives
In the era of Lucretius and Ovid, the “forefather” of the modern male condom was widespread - a bag made of oil-soaked fabric or papyrus, fish bladders, and the cecum of sheep. In Ancient China, silk condoms were sewn, and in Ancient Japan, “kyotai” were made from horns or thin leather.
The new era of the condom was opened with America, bringing syphilis to Europe and the urgent need to somehow protect against sexually transmitted diseases. And in the 17th century, the personal physician of Charles II, the Englishman Condom, in the second circle, following the ancient people, guessed that linen bags serve not only to prevent sexually transmitted infections, in particular syphilis imported from overseas, but also against unwanted pregnancy.
At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, the first rubber condom appeared; it resembled a “cap” that fit over the top of a man’s “dignity”, and was immediately anathema to moralists. However, the natural need for contraception outweighed hypocrisy, and sales of rubber condoms broke records.
The competitors were not asleep, and therefore, after just about ten years, a seamless condom appeared, and a couple of decades later, a latex condom.
Folklore in the USSR dubbed condoms “rubber product No. 2,” giving primacy to gas masks. Everyone knows that there was no sex in the Union, so Soviet pharmacies were often decorated with chaste advertisements “there are no products No. 2!” In the early 70s, it was a great success to buy tights, toilet paper and a paper bag of condoms, which were prudently packed in twos.
And for the “Olympics-80”, the “light” industry prepared a surprise for the “builders of socialism” - a kind of sign of quality. Now the packaging with the condom was proudly decorated with the inscription: “Electronically tested.”
Every year, about 2.5 billion condoms are produced worldwide, although only 4% of men use them.
There are 3 sizes:
regular - 16 in length and 3.5 cm in diameter;
“king size” - for specimens up to 20 cm;
"Ptit Thai" - 15 cm in length, popular in Southeast Asia.
Female barrier contraceptives
It is not known for certain where the “promate” of female diaphragm rings was first used - half a lemon, which was inserted into the vagina - in Ancient Africa or China.
Around the 15th century BC, according to mythology, the king of Crete Minos was famous for the fact that his sperm was swarming with scorpions and snakes. Then one of his cunning wives figured out how to protect herself from misfortune with the help of a goat Bladder.
By the time of Casanova’s adventures in Europe, “advanced users” were already “packed” with this gadget.
In 1908, cervical caps were invented to protect the female uterus from sperm interference.
Modern caps have a diameter of 5.5 cm and fit tightly to the cervix, leaving almost no chance for sperm to penetrate inside.
Spermicides
This type of contraception has never given a 100% guarantee; according to statistics, most often women have an unwanted pregnancy using it. Out of 100 women who use spermicides, about 20 become pregnant per year. However, the method has rich history and was very popular at all times.
Hungry for love pleasures, the ancient Arab tribes widely used tampons soaked in special balms to prevent conception.
In ancient India, ladies practiced mixtures of sacred elephant dung, honey and cotton.
IN Ancient Egypt Crocodiles were more revered, so their excrement was the main ingredient. The recipe has come to us thanks to the Petri papyrus, dated 1850 BC.
Egyptian women were the first to soak vaginal tampons in vinegar, which inhibited zealous sperm.
Avicenna described a recipe for spermicide with pomegranate pulp and narcotic substances.
A decoction of lemon and mahogany was used for contraception by the Indians long before the arrival of Europeans.
In Australia, a mixture of fucus and pond extracts was used for this.
In Sumatra, women relied entirely on opium tincture for this purpose.
The most terrible method was common in China, where mercury was injected into the vagina to prevent conception.
Published in 1933, Knocke's book contained 180 substances that were used in spermicidal recipes, including juniper, asparagus, ginger root, mistletoe, burdock, shepherd's purse and many others.
Modern spermicides have little in common with the ancient ones, but are also introduced into the vagina before sexual intercourse and have a destructive effect on sperm. They are available in the form of tablets, suppositories, foam aerosols and creams.
Intrauterine contraception
Today it is chosen by 17% of women.
The first attempts to apply it go back to ancient times. Camel drivers, preparing to cross the desert, in order to protect the females from pregnancy, burdensome on the way, placed pebbles in the uterine cavity of the animals.
Even 3 thousand years ago in Japan, geishas and quite respectable young ladies placed silver balls in the uterus in order to protect themselves from conception.
At the beginning of the 20th century, loops made of catgut, and then strings of gold, silver and copper, began to be inserted into the uterus for contraception.
The invention of plastic, the Margulis spiral and the Lipps loop revolutionized contraception.
In 1952, parallel to each other, two scientists at once, Oppenheimer in Israel and Ishihama in Japan, conducted successful clinical studies of plastic uterine rings.
The 60s of the last century saw a real boom in the Navy.
Male spiral
Quite recently, a method of male contraception that was highly effective and harmless to health was invented, but did not find a wide audience. The male IUD is a complex structure equipped with a gel that has a spermicidal effect. The structure is inserted into the seminal canal and then into the scrotum, where it opens like an umbrella.
Hormonal contraceptives
It’s hard to imagine, because sex hormones were discovered by science relatively recently, in 1929, but even Dioscorides in the 1st century AD testified that mandrake or Dioscorea, as he called the plant, was used to prepare a decoction that guaranteed protection against conception.
The American Indians, not without reason, believed that diligent eating of parsley would protect against pregnancy. The Jewish women chewed resin for the same purpose. In ancient India, they took a decoction of carrot seeds, the recipe for which was described by Hippocrates.
In China, a contraceptive based on cottonseed oil was invented and widely used until it became clear that it caused infertility in more than a third of men.
Modern pharmacology uses Mexican licorice root extract, which has long served faithfully in alternative medicine, for the synthesis of the sex hormone, progestogen, which is then used in the production of hormonal contraceptives.
In the middle of the last century, Georges Pincus announced the effectiveness of progesterone against unwanted conception, and in 1960, WHO already approved the use of the first contraceptive pills, which are used by 60% of women today.
Since then, hormonal contraceptives have undergone significant evolutionary growth, along with a decrease in the concentration of steroids, unwanted side symptoms have decreased and new valuable properties have appeared, for example, beneficial effects on skin, hair, etc.
Modern complex oral contraceptives (COCs) provide one hundred percent protection against unwanted pregnancy under the only condition - constant use.
For ladies with “girlish memories,” other hormonal contraceptives have been invented that lead to temporary sterility due to the presence of hormones:
Injections;
Patch;
Subcutaneous implants;
Postcoital contraception
This method involves the use of certain substances to prevent pregnancy, even if the egg has been fertilized by a sperm. Today this method is considered emergency and is used relatively rarely. Typically, such “first aid” is recommended if a woman was raped, for some reason could not use another method, the integrity of the condom was damaged during intimacy, etc.
Among the drugs used for postcoital contraception:
mifepristone,
difuston,
postinor,
Surgical methods of contraception
They are the most drastic, and involve sterilization of individuals of both sexes. They provide 100% protection against conception, as they lead to artificial infertility.
Female sterilization is carried out with ligation or dissection of the fallopian tubes, or a combination of two techniques.
Male sterilization or vasectomy takes only a quarter of an hour. During the operation, the seminal ducts are cut or ligated.
Considering that a man may want to “take back” his voluntary decision about infertility, a technique was developed for blocking the seminal ducts with rubber valves, which can always be removed through simple manipulation.
Moreover, reverse vasectomy is practiced, which allows you to return the possibility of conception to 90%.
The topic of contraception has been one of the most important for humanity since time immemorial. These days, with the massive increase in the popularity of abortion and the spread of HIV, AIDS and other dangerous diseases, especially. Even the popular adult film actress Elena Berkova, who supported the #DayWithout social marathon, called for safe sex. Take care of your health and the health of your partner, friends!
About 90% of women of childbearing age use any method of contraception. But despite this, 55% of pregnancies are unwanted. About 43% of pregnancies end in childbirth, 13% in spontaneous miscarriages, and 44% in medical (elective abortions).
There are numerous methods of contraception, but none of them are 100% effective. The theoretical effectiveness of contraceptives is slightly greater than the clinical one, which is due to the peculiarities of the individual use of these methods.
Natural methods of contraception
Natural methods of contraception include intermittent abstinence, coitus interruptus, lactational amenorrhea, rhythm method (symptothermal, or calendar) and differ in that they use mechanical or chemical barriers. Many married couples, based on religious or philosophical views, use these particular methods of contraception, although they are the least effective.
Periodic abstinence (rhythm method)
Operating principle. The rhythm method is a physiological method of contraception based on the fact that fertility is most likely during the periovulatory period, which is why abstinence is recommended during this period. This method requires strict monitoring of menstruation and instructing patients on the physiology of menstruation and fertilization and the signs of ovulation. Signs of ovulation are determined by the nature of cervical mucus (liquid, transparent mucus on the eve of ovulation), basal body temperature (increase above 37 ° C in the postovulatory phase), documentation of preovulatory symptoms (there may be short-term pain, minor bloody issues) and premenstrual changes ( premenstrual syndrome). The effectiveness of this method is low - 55-80%.
Advantages and Disadvantages ki. The advantages of the method are the absence of the use of exogenous, both mechanical and chemicals, which is important for certain groups of people due to religious or philosophical beliefs. Disadvantages are the need for abstinence, the possibility of use only by married couples, the need for training in methods of monitoring ovulation, use only for regular.
Coitus interruptus
Coitus interruptus involves removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation - one of oldest methods contraception. Most of the seminal fluid ends up outside the woman’s reproductive tract, reducing the chances of egg fertilization.
Efficiency. The failure rate of use is 15-25% of cases, which may be due to the deposition of seminal fluid into the vagina (pre-ejaculation) before orgasm or its deposition at the entrance to the vagina. The disadvantages of the method are the high failure rate and the need for self-monitoring of ejaculation.
Lactational amenorrhea
There is hypothalamic suppression of ovulation caused by breastfeeding. Extending the breastfeeding period is used by many couples as a method of contraception.
Efficiency. The duration of the period of hypothalamic suppression of ovulation during the breastfeeding period varies greatly. In 50% of lactating women, ovulation is restored 6-12 months after birth, even if lactation continues. So, 15-55% of women who breastfeed can become pregnant.
Increasing the effectiveness of lactational amenorrhea can be achieved by using certain principles:
1) breast milk should be the newborn’s only food (on demand and without a night break);
2) the duration of use of this method should not exceed 6 months. If these principles are followed, the failure rate of the lactational amenorrhea method can be reduced to 2%.
Advantages and disadvantages. Lactational amenorrhea does not affect breast-feeding. But low efficiency if the rhythm and nature of feeding a newborn is disturbed, the number of supporters of this method decreases.
Barrier methods of contraception
The principle of operation of barrier methods of contraception is based on preventing sperm from entering the uterine cavity and further into the fallopian tubes and abdominal cavity.
Male condom (condom)
The effectiveness of latex male condoms is 85-90% and increases with strict adherence to the rules of use, preventing sperm leakage before using the condom, using condoms with spermicides, or using condoms and spermicides together.
Advantagesand disadvantages. Condom actually protects against STDs, including HIV infection. The disadvantages are the possibility of hypersensitivity to latex, lubricants or those included in the condom; the need to interrupt sexual intercourse and possible decrease in sensitivity.
Female condom
The female condom is made of polyurethane and has 2 elastic rings on both sides. One ring is inserted deep into the vagina and the other is placed near the vaginal opening. The effectiveness of women's condoms is slightly less than that of men's, and the failure rate is 15-20%.
Advantagesand disadvantages. Female condom also protects against STDs; control over use is carried out by women. The disadvantages are its high cost and large size, the need for use immediately before sexual intercourse. The acceptance of this method of contraception is higher among men (75-80%) than among women (65-70%).
Vaginal diaphragm
The vaginal diaphragm is a round rubber or latex device surrounded by an elastic ring that is inserted into the vagina just before sexual intercourse and covers the cervix. The diaphragm and spermicide should be inserted into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse and remain there for 6-8 hours after sexual intercourse. If another sexual intercourse occurs within 6-8 hours after the first sexual intercourse, spermicides are additionally introduced into the vagina without removing the diaphragm.
Efficiency. Although the theoretical effectiveness of this method of contraception is 94%, the actual effectiveness does not exceed 80-85%.
Advantages and disadvantages. A side effect of using a diaphragm can be irritation of the bladder, colonization of microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to the development of toxic shock syndrome. Women may have hypersensitivity to latex, rubber, or spermicide. The diaphragm must be fitted and inserted by a physician and replaced every 5 years or when body weight increases or decreases >5 kg. Women with pelvic prolapse cannot use this method of contraception.
Cervical caps
Cervical caps are small, soft rubber cups that fit directly over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterine cavity. The caps are selected by a doctor and used together with spermicidal gel. The effectiveness of using cervical caps is similar to vaginal diaphragms - 80-85%.
Advantagesand disadvantages. The cap can remain on the cervix for 1-2 days. But most women complain about the increase vaginal discharge after the first day, inconvenience when inserting and removing the caps. The main reason for failure is the violation of localization of the caps. In this regard, the frequency of use of this method is low, 50-70% of women refuse to use it after the first attempt.
Spermicides
Spermicides can be presented in various forms- creams, gels, suppositories, foams and contraceptive films. The most widely used spermicides are nonoxynol-9 and octoxynol-9. These agents rupture the cell membranes of sperm and also act as a mechanical barrier in front of the cervical canal. Spermicides must be introduced into the vagina at least 30 minutes before sexual intercourse to allow dispersion into the vagina. Spermicides can be used as a separate method of contraception. But their effectiveness increases significantly with simultaneous use with condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms and other contraceptive methods.
Advantagesand disadvantages. The advantages are the variability of forms and the low cost of the method, the ability of nonoxynol-9 to reduce the risk of STDs, including the transmission of HIV infection. The disadvantages are the possibility side effects(irritation of the vagina and external genitalia), relatively high failure rate when used alone.
Intrauterine contraception (spiral)
(IUD) is a plastic device that often has a metal component (copper, silver, etc.) and is inserted into the uterine cavity using a special cannula - a guide. This spiral has “antennae” that help control localization (possibility of expulsion or migration) and facilitate the removal of the IUD. The IUD has been used for contraception since 1800.
IN modern practice most common 3 typesNavy:
1) IUD with copper (Multiloud, Sorreg-T);
2) IUD with progesterone;
3) IUD with levonorgestrel ( intrauterine system"Mirena")
About 100 million women worldwide use an IUD, making it one of the most popular methods of contraception. It is usually used by patients with contraindications for use. oral contraceptives those with a low risk of STDs, married, multiparous women.
Principleactions. The mechanism of action of the IUD has not been fully elucidated. It is believed that the IUD causes a sterile inflammatory process in the endometrium, promotes the immobilization of sperm and their destruction by inflammatory cells. This reaction to a foreign body increases when copper, progesterone or levonorgestrel, etc. are added to the IUD. The IUD does not affect ovulation and does not cause miscarriages.
Progesterone-containing IUDs increase the density of cervical mucus and cause atrophic changes in the endometrium, preventing implantation. IUDs can also reduce the movement of fluid in the fallopian tubes, which interferes with the transport of eggs, sperm, and blastocysts. Copper interferes with sperm motility and capacitation.
Levonorgestrel-containing IUDs should be inserted in the first 7 days of the menstrual cycle or immediately after termination of pregnancy. Copper IUDs can be inserted on any day of the menstrual cycle after the diagnosis of pregnancy has been excluded, as well as immediately after an abortion or after childbirth, or 6 weeks after birth (“interval IUD insertion”).
EfficiencyNavy very high. The failure rate is 0.1-2% and is the smallest (0.1%) with Mirena. But during the first year of use, the failure rate may be slightly higher - up to 3%, which is associated with undiagnosed expulsions or dispositions of the IUD.
Advantagesand disadvantages. Side effects are rare but can be serious and can cause pain, bleeding, pregnancy, IUD expulsion, perforation, and pelvic infection. Women using IUDs have greater risk inflammatory diseases pelvic organs associated with contamination of the edometrial cavity during IUD insertion. But on the other hand, pelvic infections are rare during the first 20 days after insertion of an IUD.
Prophylactic administration of antibiotics (doxycycline or azithromycin) when inserting an IUD can prevent ascending infection. Before inserting an IUD, screening for STDs, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, is mandatory. Modern progestin-containing IUDs may even reduce the risk of ascending infection by thickening cervical mucus.
The frequency of spontaneous abortions due to IUD reaches 40-50% of cases. If pregnancy occurs with an IUD, the latter should be removed by gentle traction on the antennae. IUD use is not associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies. The intrauterine device is inserted by a doctor. This is a long-term method of contraception. "" is inserted every 5 years, IUD with progesterone - annually.
IUD does not increase risk ectopic pregnancy, as previously thought, but on the contrary, has some protective effect, although it is less than when using oral contraceptives. Mirena and progesterone-containing IUDs have a therapeutic effect on dysfunctional uterine bleeding in women of reproductive age.
The calendar method of birth control is the most affordable way reduce the likelihood of unwanted conception. Based on her menstrual cycle, a woman calculates the approximate date of ovulation and identifies dangerous and safe days for unprotected sex. On dangerous days, they abstain from sex. In short, the first 7-8 days of the cycle are considered the safest and the last week. But only those women who have a known exact duration of the menstrual cycle do not have long delays. Otherwise, late ovulation and pregnancy may occur on days that were considered safe.
The most reliable method of birth control is the calendar method for women with a regular menstrual cycle. That is, for those whose cycle is always equal to, for example, 28 days. Ovulation, the day when an egg is ready to be fertilized by a sperm, is approximately the middle of the cycle. In a 28-day cycle, this is approximately the 14th day. However, there may be deviations in one direction or another for a couple of days. Thus, using the calendar method of protection, couples will not have sex from the 12th to the 16th day inclusive. Some people advise adding 1 more day on one side and the other, just in case, since sperm can remain ready for fertilization for several more days in the female genital tract.
If the cycle is irregular, then you need to remember the longest and shortest. This way you can find out the approximate date of the earliest possible ovulation and the latest. In this case, the calendar method of contraception will not be reliable unless a larger period of time is allocated. Capture the interval between possible ovulation dates, plus the days before and after them.
If you don’t want to count manually and you trust automatic programs more, then go ahead. The script on our website will help you use the calendar method of pregnancy protection; it will be able to accurately calculate online safe days specifically for you. More precisely, it will show you the most favorable days for conception. Well, your task will include exclusion during these days of sexual activity. At least without using contraception, preferably a barrier one.
If the calendar method shows you have a dangerous day, but you still can’t resist sex, or the condom breaks, you need to use emergency contraception. It can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. However, you need to understand that emergency contraception is not always effective. And its effect largely depends on the speed of taking the pill after unprotected intercourse. In addition, emergency contraception has an effect on hormonal background women, can lead to disruption of the menstrual cycle.
At first glance, the calendar method makes preventing unwanted pregnancy safe. But really, only for the first one. Yes, you don't need to take any medications. Spoil the sensations with a condom too. But this method is very unreliable. And if he fails, conception occurs and you will have to have an abortion. Well, this is interference in female body much more unpleasant and dangerous than hormonal pills.
– these are methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy, based on monitoring the physiologically potential for conception and “safe” phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Application requires high self-discipline from the woman and careful recording of all records necessary for accurate calculation of “dangerous” and “safe” days. The essence natural method of contraception consists of daily measurement of basal temperature, monitoring the quality of mucus secreted by the cervix and other points.
Mainly suitable for women with a regular and stable menstrual cycle, because... otherwise, it will be difficult to calculate days of high fertility (ability to conceive) and infertility (impossibility or low risk of conception). Natural methods of contraception very well suited for women who, for some reason, cannot use other methods of contraception from unwanted pregnancy, couples who do not use any other means or methods of contraception due to religious or philosophical beliefs, partners who do not have sex every day, etc.
Types of natural contraception methods
Most common natural methodsLadies of contraception are:
Calendar (rhythmic) method. Suitable for women with a regular menstrual cycle. The essence of the method is to calculate the day of ovulation (the moment an egg capable of fertilization is released from the ovary). The moment of ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Knowing this, a woman can calculate the “dangerous” period during which the probability of conception is highest - approximately 2-4 days before ovulation and 2-4 days after it.
It is necessary to take into account the fact that the sperm for a long time retains the ability to conceive (within 2-3 days), therefore, from the 10th to the 17th day of the menstrual cycle, the couple should abstain from sexual intercourse or use other methods of contraception. It must be remembered that ovulation can occur on other days of the menstrual cycle and then the calendar method is ineffective.
Interrupted sexual intercourse. One of the simplest and most natural methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy, which, at the same time, has one of the lowest degrees of effectiveness (40-50%). The essence of the method is to remove the penis from the vagina before ejaculation occurs. Medical experts say that interrupted sexual intercourse cannot be considered complete natural method of contraception.
The disadvantages of the method can be considered a decrease in the quality of sexual contact (a man must constantly monitor the approach of ejaculation, which is not always possible to feel), in addition, even at the moment of friction, several drops of sperm are already released from the penis, which can result in conception. In addition, according to doctors, the need to interrupt sexual intercourse can lead to the development of various psychological disorders of a sexual nature (anorgasmia, premature ejaculation, etc.).
Temperature method. The essence of the method is to construct a graph of basal body temperature (BBT), i.e. body temperature at rest. Basal body temperature is measured by inserting a thermometer into anus for 5 minutes and recording the results obtained with an accuracy of one tenth of a degree.
In phase I of the menstrual cycle, a woman’s body temperature is usually slightly lower; during ovulation, the temperature rises slightly and remains elevated throughout phase II until the start of the next menstruation. Accordingly, focusing on changes in the basal temperature chart, a woman will be able to accurately understand when she ovulated and avoid sexual intercourse on “dangerous” days.
Monitoring vaginal mucus. This method can be used as a separate natural method of contraception, and can be used in combination with other methods (temperature, calendar, etc.).
The essence of the method is based on the assessment of vaginal discharge during the day. Immediately after the end of menstrual flow, mucus is normally practically absent - this period is called “dry”, during which sex life allowed without restrictions.
As the egg matures, the mucus becomes more viscous, its quantity increases, it acquires a cloudy and sticky consistency, which is the first sign of approaching “dangerous” days. On these “wet” days, it is necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse or use additional methods of protection.
The greatest amount of mucus occurs immediately before and at the time of ovulation. The mucus on such days looks like raw egg white and stretches between the fingers. Its appearance means the peak of the most favorable period for conception and the need to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least 3-4 days, if you are not yet planning a pregnancy. On the 4th day after ovulation, mucus production may be reduced, and before the start of a new menstruation, a woman may experience “dry” days, during which the likelihood of conception is low.
Benefits of natural contraception methods
Uniqueness natural methods of contraception is that they make it possible not only to prevent pregnancy, but also to plan it, “guessing” the dates of sexual contacts on days of a woman’s high fertility. Natural methods of contraception have no side effects, do not require financial costs, can be used sufficiently big amount couples without restrictions.
Disadvantages of natural contraceptive methods
However, along with the advantages, they also have a number of disadvantages:
- Efficiency natural methods of contraception is approximately 50% (incorrectly calculated “dangerous” and “safe” days).
- The need for meticulous and careful maintenance of daily records.
- The need for abstinence during the fertile phase of a woman, during sexual intercourse - interruption of sexual intercourse or the use of additional contraceptives.
- Lack of protection against sexually transmitted infections.
- Anxiety, uncertainty when using natural methods of contraception, which may somewhat reduce the quality of sexual life.
We recommend consulting a gynecologist to select the most optimal method of natural contraception. GUTA CLINIC specialists will help you choose the most suitable method of contraception according to your indications.
