I will try to give an accessible explanation of what natural contraception is. Contraception is the prevention of pregnancy. It can be carried out by various chemical, mechanical methods and methods, and contraceptives, among which the most common are condoms, uterine caps and oral contraceptives.
Every person entering the time of sexual activity begins to think about methods of protection, that is, contraceptive options. In our technological age, scientific minds have come up with many ways and options to prevent the risk of pregnancy and unwanted viruses and diseases.
Simply put, there are many types of contraception, namely:
- natural contraception;
- contraception using various barriers or mechanical contraception;
- hormonal contraceptive method;
- chemical subtype of contraception;
- surgical intervention as a method of protection.
Naturally, each type from this list has its pros and cons. In addition, none of them provide a hundred percent guarantee and protection against pregnancy or the possibility of contracting any disease or virus.
Let's talk about the first type of protection - natural contraception for women.
The main essence of this method of contraception is to refuse to have sex on the most “dangerous” days for women. That is, during the period when the body is already ready for fertilization - on the days of ovulation of the female egg. This, as a rule, requires not only a lot of courage, but also a certain amount of willpower. You also need to be able to painstakingly calculate possible “dangerous” women's days ovulation of the egg.
- In what ways can you calculate when you can exercise and when you can’t?
- How to calculate these ill-fated days?
- How to avoid pregnancy without contraception?
Here are a few methods that will surely be useful to you.
1. Cervical method (Billing method)
The days of ovulation are determined from observations of the density of discharge from the female genital organs. So to speak, the woman calculates on which days they become thicker. This method is statistically reliable by about 85%.
2. Calendar method
A woman calculates the ovulation of her egg using a calendar. Subtract 18 days from the shortest menstrual cycle, thereby obtaining the beginning of ovulation. And from the longest menstrual cycle it subtracts 11 days, thereby getting the end of ovulation. This method is inconvenient, since before you start using it, you need to strictly calculate and monitor your menstruation for a whole year in order to be able to determine the longest and shortest menstrual female cycle. This method is also considered the most unreliable, since the female body is very unpredictable. It can easily fail even due to changes in a woman’s body as a result of primitive nervous tension.
3. Method of measuring the temperature of a woman's body from the inside
The girl who chooses this method must measure her basal temperature every morning to determine when it drops (this means that ovulation will begin within two days). And note when it is elevated (usually this lasts for several days while the ovulation of the female egg itself lasts). It is necessary to enter data into the calendar so as not to make mistakes in the future in miscalculating “these” days. This method is popularly considered more reliable (about 84 percent).
4. Lactation period
The most productive method of natural contraception is the lactation method. That is, it is believed that a woman is unlikely to become pregnant during lactation or simply when she is breastfeeding a small child after childbirth. This method has been confirmed and scientific research. But still, it also does not carry a 100% guarantee of a positive outcome of sexual intercourse, since it is almost impossible to predict exactly when a woman’s cycle will normalize.
5. Interrupted intercourse in time
Having chosen this method as a method of contraception, all responsibility lies entirely on the shoulders of men. Since it takes a lot of willpower and concentration to stop yourself in time and pull the sexual organ out of a woman a few seconds before ejaculation. Naturally, we should not forget that with this method of contraception, you should take great care of personal hygiene every time: that is, do not forget to wash and sterilize the genitals of both women and men. Because this method also does not protect sexual partners from any sexually transmitted infection. viral disease or fungus. It is worth adding that this method of natural birth control carries with it very big consequences for your body, namely disturbances in the central nervous system. As a result of its constant use, neuroses may occur, breakdowns are possible, and even deterioration of erection up to impotence. This method of contraception is not recommended if you are not sure that your sexual partner is fully capable of controlling himself. The reliability of this method after much research is up to 80 percent.
Having considered and analyzed the methods of natural contraception, it is worth noting that they are effective only if you are completely confident in your partner, as well as in his fidelity and health.
Prevention unwanted pregnancy is an effective method of family planning and preserving a woman’s health. What methods of contraception do we know?
Despite the wide arsenal of contraceptive methods, today the number of abortions as a result of unwanted pregnancy remains quite high. This is primarily due to the low level of knowledge of women and men about contraceptive methods, the inability to choose the most optimal method for themselves, and the reluctance to use condoms due to decreased sensitivity (in men). Therefore, regarding the issue of family planning and the choice of contraception method, it is worth remembering that by saving on contraception, a woman overpays exorbitantly for an abortion, since with a significant financial investment, there is a high risk for the woman’s health. The main complication of an abortion is the inability to have children in the future - female infertility.
There are several main reasons why a woman does not use modern methods of contraception and an unwanted pregnancy occurs:
- ordinary laziness - a woman or a man, and often together they are simply too lazy to ask the question and choose for themselves the most optimal modern method of preventing unwanted pregnancy;
low awareness of the mechanism of action of most modern methods contraception, where myths and exaggerations about their significant harm among women are born, in this case, if you have any suspicions about your health, it is better to seek advice from a gynecologist;
fear of using contraceptive methods when breastfeeding a woman - most women believe that absolutely any contraceptive can harm the baby, but these fears are unfounded, most hormonal contraceptives are absolutely harmless when breastfeeding, in addition, there are other methods of contraception that are not associated with taking any or medications;
a frivolous attitude towards the possibility of pregnancy - occurs in women who use the principle of chance during sexual intercourse, which in most cases is the cause of an unwanted pregnancy;
using a rhythmic method of contraception - depending on the period of the menstrual cycle, the egg may not be ready to receive sperm and fertilization, but in order to prevent fertilization from occurring, it is necessary to accurately calculate the time when the egg is not ready; this method of contraception still often leads to unwanted pregnancy.
Basic methods of contraception
In modern medicine, there are several main groups of contraception with different mechanisms of action and effectiveness. Each couple decides which method of protection against unwanted pregnancy to choose individually or in consultation with a gynecologist at a family planning center. We can distinguish main groups of contraceptive methods depending on their mechanism of action:
natural methods of contraception - based on the physiological period of impossibility of fertilization of an egg by a sperm;
barrier methods of contraception - the essence of these methods is to prevent sperm from entering the woman’s internal birth canal and their contact with the egg;
hormonal methods of contraception - taking certain female hormones inhibits the processes of ovulation and the release of an egg from a woman’s ovaries and, accordingly, the impossibility of its fertilization by sperm;
spermicidal methods of contraception - they can be classified as emergency contraception methods, when it is necessary to prevent the fertilization of an egg by introducing special substances into the woman’s birth canal that destroy sperm;
surgical methods of contraception - the essence of the methods is the surgical sterilization of the body of a woman or man, which stops the excretion of germ cells - sperm with sperm or the release of an egg into the uterine cavity.
Within each group of contraceptive methods there are several specific techniques which are described below.
Natural methods of contraception
In this group, there are several methods of contraception, which are based on the physiological processes of maturation and release of the egg from the ovary. To determine that an egg has not yet been released, a woman must closely monitor her menstrual cycle. It is good to know when her menstrual cycle begins, the beginning of menstruation, since during these periods it is possible to determine whether or not an egg is released from the ovary. The 1st day of the menstrual cycle begins on the first day of the onset of menstruation. If you subtract 11 days from the 1st day of menstruation, then these are the days that are safe in relation to - this is the safest time in relation to the fertilization of an egg by a sperm. This method only works if the duration of the menstrual cycle is stable without changes for at least one year. There are 2 main methods of natural contraception based on this:
The calendar method of contraception is based on a clear counting of the days of the menstrual cycle, with a mark on the calendar. This allows a woman to know the days that are most favorable in terms of not getting pregnant.
Temperature method of contraception - the essence of the method is to measure the woman’s basal body temperature, minor changes in which indicate the release of the egg from the ovary and its readiness for fertilization by sperm. Basal body temperature is measured in the mouth, rectum or vagina. The technique of this method is simple. In the evening you need to prepare a notebook, pen and mercury thermometer (it is more accurate). Then in the morning, immediately after waking up, in the rectum (for greater accuracy, readings of basal body temperature are best done in the rectum). After measuring, the basal body temperature is recorded in a notebook, with a date and time stamp of measurement, since in this case you should not rely on your memory. Such measurements are carried out over one month; based on the recorded data, the woman builds a graph, where she marks calendar dates vertically and basal body temperature horizontally. When the egg leaves the ovary and is ready for fertilization, the basal body temperature rises to 37.3º C. This increase in temperature lasts about 3 days, which are favorable for fertilization of the egg.
The dangerous time for conception can be calculated using basal temperature
It is impossible to rely entirely on the temperature method
Barrier methods of contraception
The mechanism of these methods is associated with the use of barriers that prevent the meeting of the egg and sperm, followed by its subsequent fertilization. In this group, only 2 methods of contraception are used:
use of male condoms;
The use of female condoms is a less common method of contraception.
Condoms are the most common method of contraception
This group of contraception has a number of fundamental positive properties, namely:
high reliability of contraception up to 99.9%, since condoms are made of a material that has high elasticity and strength, which makes it impossible for them to break and release sperm into the vagina;
prevention of sexually transmitted infections - this is very important if a woman or man does not have one sexual partner; prevention of such dangerous diseases as HIV AIDS, viral hepatitis C and B is especially necessary.
The only disadvantage of barrier contraception is that, according to statistics, 90% of men experience less vivid sensations during coitus, while women definitely say that their sensations are the same both without a condom and with it.
Hormonal methods of contraception
This method of contraception involves the woman using so-called oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives are a tablet form of a drug that contains female sex hormones. Depending on how many female sex hormones are included in the oral contraceptive, several types are distinguished:
monophasic oral contraceptives - only one female sex hormone is included - progesterone, depending on the day of taking the pill from the 1st day of the cycle, the concentration of progesterone changes, this is the oldest version of oral contraceptives, which is practically not used now;
biphasic oral contraceptives - in this case, 2 hormones are included in 1 tablet of the drug, but their concentration varies depending on what day of the menstrual cycle the tablet is taken, modern version oral contraceptives, which is now widely used;
three-phase oral contraceptives - the composition already includes 3 sex hormones, the concentration of which changes according to the same principle as in two-phase oral contraceptives.
There is a stereotypical opinion that hormonal oral contraceptives, due to the fact that they contain hormones, can cause significant harm to a woman’s body. This opinion is wrong. Only single-phase hormonal oral contraceptives of the first generations could lead to a slight increase in a woman’s weight. Modern two-phase and three-phase oral contraceptives are absolutely safe drugs; in addition to the contraceptive effect, they also have a therapeutic effect for some diseases of the female genital area - cervical erosion, hormonal disorders of the reproductive system, mastopathy and others. The reliability of this method of contraception is about 85%. This is a favorite method of contraception for men because there is no need to use condoms. One of the disadvantages of this method of contraception is the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted infections, therefore, when changing a sexual partner, it is better to use barrier methods of contraception at first.
The tablets are taken according to the schedule from the 1st to the 28th day of the menstrual cycle. Then on the next 1st day of the cycle there is a break. For ease of administration, the tablets on the blister are numbered. Take 1 tablet once a day, at the same time, usually in the morning. However, there is one contraindication for taking hormonal oral contraceptives - liver failure, which develops with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.
Oral contraceptives are taken strictly according to schedule
Advantages hormonal contraception:
the reliability of this type of contraception is at least 80%;
the contraceptive effect occurs immediately after the 7th day of the menstrual cycle from the start of use;
this is an absolutely safe form of contraception;
do not depress a woman’s libido and sexual desire, in some cases they enhance it, especially when a woman is sexually cold;
it is convenient and easy to use the tablets; there are numberings on the blister;
if necessary, oral contraception can be stopped without any consequences;
providing positive effects for a number of diseases of the female genital area;
eliminate some causes of infertility associated with a woman’s hormonal levels.
Properties of hormonal oral contraceptives other than preventing pregnancy
Thanks to the advent of combined oral hormonal contraceptives, it became possible to use them for a number of diseases of the female genital area, namely:
painful and heavy menstruation;
menstrual irregularities - when using oral contraceptives it becomes regular;
prevention of the development of ectopic pregnancy - due to the inhibition of ovulation, hormonal contraceptives cause this effect even in those women who have previously developed an ectopic pregnancy, this is important, since ectopic pregnancy is a high risk factor for mortality;
prevention oncological diseases and the formation of benign tumors of the ovaries and endothelium (uterine mucosa);
prevention of inflammatory processes in the female pelvic organs due to a decrease in the amount of blood during menstruation, which is a good breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms; also, taking hormonal contraceptives thickens the mucus of the cervical canal, which provides additional protection against infections;
some types of female infertility associated with hormonal imbalances are well treated with combined hormonal oral contraceptives; pregnancy occurs after stopping the course of taking them, which is determined individually by a gynecologist and endocrinologist;
prevention of osteoporosis in the future during the postmenopausal period.
Hormonal contraceptives - the main negative points:
it is necessary for the woman to monitor her daily intake of pills at the same time;
skipping pills increases the risk of unwanted pregnancy;
as the tablets run out, you need to constantly buy them;
when taking certain medications, the effectiveness of oral contraception may decrease, so a mandatory consultation with a gynecologist is necessary;
sometimes exacerbation of some chronic diseases is possible, especially of the cardiovascular system and liver;
This type of contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.
Avoiding the use of hormonal contraceptives.
Some health and physiological conditions of a woman are an absolute contraindication to taking hormonal contraceptives, these include:
pregnancy – existing or planned;
combined hormonal contraceptives are contraindicated during breastfeeding in the first 6 months after birth;
diseases leading to chronic liver failure;
pathology of the circulatory system (blood clots, cerebral stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease);
alcohol abuse and smoking;
women over 35 years of age;
diabetes mellitus type I and II;
hypertension - a constant increase in systemic blood pressure;
breast tumors, both benign and malignant.
Oral hormonal contraception is preferred:
young women who are sexually active with a regular partner;
spouses who already have children and are not planning a pregnancy in the near future;
women who have not yet given birth to children;
women with infant who are not breastfeeding;
in the period after an abortion;
menstrual irregularities in women - painful menstruation, prolonged and heavy menstruation;
women and girls with acne - acne as a result of hormonal disorders;
anemia – a decrease in the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells in a woman’s blood;
ectopic pregnancy in the past;
the presence of ovarian cysts, which periodically worsen or have existed in the past.
Hormonal contraception for men
There are certain hormonal medications for men that suppress spermatogenesis and lead to the impossibility of fertilizing the egg. This method is less popular compared to female hormonal contraception. Its essence lies in a man taking tableted testosterone, which, according to the principle feedback suppresses the secretion of gonadotropin hormones by the pituitary gland of the brain. This in turn reduces the concentration of male sex hormones in the testicles and spermatogenesis is suppressed. Latest Research found heterogeneous effects and effectiveness of this method on men of different races. So the contraceptive effect was achieved only in 2/3 of white men. At the same time, among Asian nationalities, suppression of spermatogenesis occurred in 90% of cases when taking male oral contraceptives. This difference in effectiveness does not yet have a precise explanation; most scientists assume the presence of certain genetic characteristics in people of different races.
The use of male hormonal contraceptives has a number of contraindications that you should be aware of:
diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation or subcompensation, especially type I;
high blood pressure for a long time;
neoplasms in the body that depend on hormonal levels;
pathology of the liver and kidneys in the stage of decompensation;
violation of the constancy of the internal environment of the body;
the presence of female or male infertility in a couple;
mental disorders;
prostate pathology - adenoma or malignant tumors, prostatitis;
initially low number of sperm in semen.
Currently, this type of contraception is in clinical trials. The most commonly used combination of testosterone and gonadotropin. Due to the controversial effectiveness of this type of contraception in men of different races, it has not yet found widespread use.
Using spermicides for contraception
This method of contraception involves killing sperm in a woman's vagina. To do this, 10 minutes before sexual intercourse, a woman inserts a special tablet or suppository into the vagina containing substances that kill sperm. Within 10-15 minutes they dissolve; after ejaculation, sperm die in the vagina without reaching the egg. In addition to sperm, most spermicidal preparations also partially destroy bacteria and viruses that are sexually transmitted. The disadvantage of using this method of contraception is its irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, which can cause pain in a woman during coitus and lead to a lack of orgasm.
Surgical methods of contraception
The essence of these methods is to surgically create an obstacle to the meeting of the egg and sperm in the fallopian tubes. There are several methods for this:
- Tubal ligation - during surgery, the fallopian tubes are tied with a special ligature, which prevents the movement of the egg through them and its fertilization. The reliability of this method in relation to pregnancy is 100%. To perform such a surgical intervention, a woman needs to know for sure that she no longer wants to become pregnant, since the reverse operation is rarely performed. Typically, this method of contraception is used by women who already have several children.
There are several techniques for tubal ligation in women:
the fallopian tube is ligated with catgut in its middle part on both sides;
excision of the mesentery of the fallopian tube in an area where there are no vessels, ligation of the tube and excision of the segment between 2 ligated areas;
excision of the fimbriae of the fallopian tube, which through their movement capture the egg from the ovary, a method rarely used due to the possibility of their regeneration;
clamps, often made of areactogenic metal (platinum, titanium), which are applied to the fallopian tubes, the distance from the uterus is 1-2 cm;
cutting off the fallopian tubes from the angle of the uterus with removal of a section of the tubes; sometimes this type of contraception is performed immediately after a cesarean section.
In men, surgical methods of contraception include bandaging. spermatic cords(vasectomy) is a type of surgical sterilization of a man, in which sperm do not enter the seminal fluid and, accordingly, do not reach the egg. Just like tubal ligation in women, a man must approach this method of contraception seriously and responsibly, since the reverse operation is usually not performed.
There are also several techniques for this surgical intervention:
after dissection of the scrotum, the vas deferens are ligated and excised, the operation is performed under local anesthesia;
intersection of the seminal ducts without ligation, to prevent bleeding from the vessels and coagulate, the operation is usually performed under local anesthesia;
a less traumatic operation in which dissection of the skin of the scrotum is not performed; the seminal ducts are compressed with special microclips through a puncture of the skin (puncture method).
Regardless of the method of surgical contraception in the postoperative period, a man must follow several recommendations:
to prevent bleeding, postoperative swelling, and reduce the intensity of pain, cold compresses are applied to the scrotum;
special scrotal suspensors are used for two days after surgery;
for at least 2 weeks after surgery is excluded physical activity on the body;
You need to avoid taking a shower or hot bath for several days;
during the first 3 days, refusal of sexual activity;
Due to the preservation of active sperm below the dressing site, it is recommended to use condoms or other methods of contraception for the first 20 sexual intercourses (during this time they are completely released).
Before performing a surgical intervention on a man or woman, the doctor must tell him about the essence of the intervention, the method and technique of its implementation, possible consequences and complications. Only after this the patient gives written consent to the surgical intervention, which is a legal document.
When using a surgical method of contraception, a man or woman needs to remember several key points:
- inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system, in the stage of incomplete remission or relapse;
- suspicion of an existing pregnancy or its establishment;
- benign or malignant neoplasms of the female genitourinary system.
Relative contraindications include the following conditions: - congenital defects and developmental anomalies of the genitourinary system that prevent the installation of the spiral;
- benign tumor of the uterus, leading to its enlargement and change in shape (fibroids);
- processes leading to endometrial hypertrophy, resulting in a decrease in the volume of the uterine cavity;
- menstruation accompanied by heavy bleeding;
- anemia, anemia or other tumor diseases of the blood (acute or chronic leukemia), blood clotting disorders.
the cervix is exposed with special surgical mirrors, and the anterior lip is grabbed with bullet forceps; this procedure is carried out under aseptic conditions to avoid infection of the uterus;
using a special uterine probe, measure the depth of the uterine cavity;
the spiral is directly inserted into the uterine cavity using a guidewire;
this type of contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections at all, viral hepatitis and HIV AIDS;
after an intervention involving ligation of the fallopian tubes or seminal ducts, libido and sexual desire do not decrease at all;
An important point of this type of contraception is that in some cases, restoration of fertility is no longer possible, that is, the patient will no longer be able to conceive a child or become pregnant;
even with the highest qualifications and experience of the surgeon, if the surgical technique is performed correctly, it may be impossible to restore the anatomical integrity of the fallopian tubes or seminal ducts;
Surgery to restore a man’s or woman’s fertility is significantly more expensive.
An intrauterine device will prevent you from getting pregnant
Contraindications to the use of an intrauterine device.
There are absolute (staging is not performed at all) and relative (the procedure is possible after some time) contraindications to staging intrauterine device.
Absolute contraindications include:
The placement of an intrauterine device is usually performed on days 4-6 of the menstrual cycle, since at this time the cervical canal is more open. This makes it easier to perform the Manipulation. Also during this period of time it is easier to ensure that there is no pregnancy. In case of certain indications or necessity, the introduction of an intrauterine device is possible immediately after an abortion, as well as directly in the postpartum period. However, due to the frequent development of uterine expulsions (contractions) in the early postpartum period, it is better to introduce a uterine device 6 weeks after birth.
The procedure for inserting an intrauterine device includes the following steps:.
A study (revision) is carried out using a uterine probe to ensure the correct position of the intrauterine device.
The choice of contraception method is made individually by the couple, depending on financial capabilities, the presence of children in the family, and planning a pregnancy in the future. It is better for a couple to consult a gynecologist and andrologist who will help you choose a contraceptive method. It is worth noting that whatever the method of contraception, it is a good prevention of abortions and future health problems associated with them.
Natural (biological) contraception is one of the safest methods of contraception for a woman’s health, but it is not effective. Even when used correctly, these methods are not very reliable.
Natural contraception is based on observations of physiological signs that help identify cases when a woman is capable of conceiving (fertile) and when she is not capable of conceiving (infertile). The main goal of this method is to determine the period when fertilization ability is highest.
Natural contraception methods can be used by many couples: in the case when a woman cannot use other methods; if a woman has a regular menstrual cycle; couples who may refuse intimate relationships on certain days of the cycle; when other methods of protection are not available.
Natural contraception has a number of advantages: no side effects; free; both partners participate, which helps strengthen the relationship in the couple; can be used to plan pregnancy; for some couples - more pleasure after abstinence on dangerous days.
Natural contraception has the following disadvantages: pregnancy occurs in almost 50% of cases; does not protect against sexually transmitted infections; difficulties in determining dangerous days, especially for women with an irregular cycle; Requires up to three months of instruction and counseling; tension often arises due to uncertainty about the effectiveness of the methods used; well, etc.
Natural contraception includes: sexual abstinence, coitus interruptus, calendar method, temperature method, cervical method, symptothermal method.
If you need a reliable method of contraception, if you have contraindications to the use of hormonal drugs, if you are shocked that the IUD does not protect against conception, but only leads to mini-abortions every month at very early stages, if you know that the IUD can lead to infertility, and you want to have children in the future, if your husband does not want or cannot use condoms, if you do not want to use hormonal agents while breastfeeding, if vaginal pills or calendar/temperature monitoring are not suitable for you due to too much insecurity methods for counting days, then this method is just for you.
Few people know about this method of contraception. Cervical method is a method for determining the fertile phase by changes in the nature of cervical mucus.
The method is based on the fact that before and during ovulation, a woman’s vaginal discharge changes. These changes are clearly visible if you know what's going on. But in order to figure it out, you will have to spend a month or two measuring your basal temperature every day and comparing changes in this temperature with changes in discharge. But then you can live happily for many years. Later I will write what to do if you are breastfeeding and the cycle has not yet recovered, but for this you still need to know the theory:
1. An egg after ovulation lives no more than 48 hours, if fertilization has not occurred, therefore, two days after ovulation and until menstruation it is impossible to get pregnant (if a woman becomes pregnant on the 25th day of the cycle, this only means that her ovulation was delayed and did not occur on the 14th, and on the 25th day). The first thing that the natural control method gives is that the woman sees: ovulation is happening or is delayed, or will happen ahead of time.
2. After release, sperm can live up to 5-6 days, but only in the fertile cervical fluid, which is released from a woman shortly before and during ovulation (usually the middle of the cycle). At the beginning and end of the cycle, this fluid is absent and the sperm die within a few hours. The second thing the method gives is that the woman knows exactly what day before ovulation she needs to start using contraception or not have sexual intercourse if she does not want to get pregnant.
So, you only need to protect yourself for a few days in the middle of the cycle, and these days are precisely known.
For the first two months you will have to draw a temperature graph. Basal temperature is measured in the morning, without getting out of bed, preferably at the same time, preferably in the vagina (the main thing is not to fall asleep with a thermometer :-) During menstruation, it is unnecessary to measure the temperature.
In addition to the basal temperature, you will need to record changes in vaginal discharge during the cycle under the graph. Like this:
I decipher:
1. dry - when there is no discharge or there is very little discharge, sperm in such an environment die immediately.
Some women never experience “dry”, immediately after menstruation and after ovulation until the next menstruation - the second type of discharge:
2. sticky discharge - white, in small quantities, not viscous, if you try to stretch it between your fingers, droplets remain on the fingertips in the form of white tubercles. This is infertile discharge, sperm die within a few hours, and there are still several days before ovulation.
The main thing is not to miss when the sticky discharge begins to turn into the following form:
3. watery (or creamy) - transparent like water or whitish like highly diluted milk, completely liquid, and for some more like liquid hand cream. This is already fetal discharge, in which sperm can wait five days before ovulation.
4. “I. b." - during the day or on the day of ovulation, a discharge similar to egg white appears, the discharge becomes thick, viscous (stretched between the fingers), translucent, there is a lot of it. Many women have such discharge for at least 1 day, for some it is 2, 3 days. This time is the most favorable for conception. In some women, “protein” does not appear at all, but simply the amount of watery discharge increases greatly. It also happens that discharge appears only on the cervix and almost does not come out. In this case, you can take them directly from the neck with two fingers with cut nails. (You should also remember that sperm can greatly distort the nature of the discharge; do not confuse the remains of sperm with fetal fluid).
On the day of ovulation (on the last day the largest number secretions), the basal temperature has not yet increased, and for many it even drops by one tenth of a degree - the lowest temperature during the cycle (the graph shows a downward-pointing tooth).
As soon as ovulation has occurred, the discharge again becomes sticky or disappears altogether, and the temperature rises by about 0.5 degrees and remains elevated (about 37°C, but not lower than 36.8) until the end of the cycle, that is, about 16 more days. After ovulation, you can become pregnant within 48 hours, although there is no longer any fetal fluid, but there is an egg in the uterus, which sperm can reach faster than dying.
If the body reacts slowly to progesterone, then after ovulation the temperature rises slowly and reaches 37 degrees three to four days after ovulation, BUT during these 4 days there is no decrease in temperature. In this case, the barren period still begins 2 days after ovulation, and not 2 days after the highest temperature. If the temperature does not increase, then ovulation never occurred, then either it will occur later (and the pattern of discharge will be repeated) or this cycle will be non-ovulatory (and this happens).
So, you need to use protection or not have sexual intercourse:
Starting on the day the sticky discharge turns into creamy, and for even greater reliability - the day before the creamy discharge appears (if the cycle is regular, they will appear on a certain day of the cycle, if irregular, then when “dry” turns into “sticky.” If If you don’t have a “dry” state, then - when the amount of sticky discharge begins to increase).
Ending on the third day after ovulation - when the discharge decreases, and the basal temperature of the second day remains at a high level.
To do this, you need to monitor your discharge and measure your temperature during the 5 days of the middle of the cycle: starting from the day of the greatest discharge - egg white or very strong watery (you can start measuring earlier if you doubt the nature of your discharge) and three days after the decrease/cessation of discharge to make sure that ovulation has occurred and the temperature does not drop for three days in a row.
When breastfeeding
Until the cycle has been restored, there is no point in measuring the temperature. After childbirth, when the bloody discharge stops, observe yourself for ~2 weeks. If there is no discharge (“dry”) or it is sticky within 2 weeks, you don’t have to use protection. But sometimes you will observe individual manifestations - the sticky liquid may become watery or “dry” will turn into “sticky”. In the first option, you can consider yourself safe 4 days after the disappearance of the watery liquid, in the second option - 2 days after the disappearance of the sticky liquid. And so on until the first menstruation appears. It may happen that a sticky liquid appears and remains for at least 2 weeks, then consider this a new version of your infertility, up to the appearance of a watery liquid. (And remember that on the day of sexual intercourse, sperm residues can distort the picture - do not mistake them for fetal fluid). In a small number of breastfeeding women, the discharge is consistently “watery” rather than sticky. In this case, it is recommended to protect yourself all the time until the cycle is restored.
Additional (not all women have them) signs of ovulation - a slight cutting pain in the lower abdomen (can only be felt when squatting quickly), small bloody brown discharge.
In case of illness/cold, when the general body temperature rises, the basal temperature also rises, and if this happens in the middle of the cycle, it is difficult to determine whether ovulation has occurred or not. In this case, after recovery, it is recommended to wait for three days to measure your body temperature (should be 36.6), and monitor the basal temperature (around 37 degrees for three days in a row).
There are other signs of ovulation, they are not used in the method described above, but maybe they will be useful to someone if the cycle is very irregular or there are some gynecological problems:
1. There is a test for determining glucose in urine, a paper strip that changes color depending on the amount of glucose. Around the day of ovulation, the amount of glucose in the cervical fluid increases; the strip, if this fluid is dropped onto it, begins to change color two to three days before ovulation and stops changing color two to three days after ovulation. Most rich color the stripe appears on the day of ovulation;
2. during the period of ovulation, the cervix opens and becomes soft, and immediately after ovulation it closes (in women who have given birth, a small gap remains) and becomes hard.
Note: if you do not have sexual intercourse on “dangerous” days, then the reliability of the method is very high - 98%. If you use condoms on dangerous days, then the reliability of the method will be equal to the reliability of protection using a condom.
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 and the last week are considered the safest. But only those women who have a known exact duration of the menstrual cycle do not experience 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 the 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 affects a woman’s hormonal levels and 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 very unreliable. And if he fails, conception occurs and you will have to have an abortion. Well, this intervention in the female body is much more unpleasant and dangerous than hormonal pills.
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How often do we ask about methods of contraception? Most often, at the very moment when this valuable information about them is not absorbed as it should be. There are different methods of protection: using a condom, taking birth control pills and natural methods of contraception. The latter method is one of the most popular among young (and not so young) couples, practiced to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
They are based on the process of observing and monitoring the physiological characteristics of the female body, identifying the most dangerous and safe days for conception.
To make this method the most effective, as well as the least safe, every woman must:
- keep a calendar in which she marks the period of menstruation, the day of ovulation;
- measure basal body temperature every day;
- control the amount of mucus that is released from the vagina, monitor its quality.
Natural methods of contraception are not preferred by everyone; they are ideal for those women who have a regular menstrual cycle. They will also become a “lifeline” for the fair sex, who, for medical reasons, are prohibited from taking special pills.
Types of natural contraception
There are several basic types of natural contraception methods that have been used by women and men around the world for decades.
This method involves removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation. Of all the methods, it is the least effective, since the chances of getting pregnant remain high (up to 50%). During sexual intercourse, all responsibility rests with the man; he must control himself and be able to restrain himself. In this case, the partner is in constant tension and often does not receive proper pleasure. 
Calendar method
It involves calculating the days of ovulation, during which there is an almost 100% chance of getting pregnant. With a regular menstrual cycle, you should refrain from unprotected sexual intercourse 3 days before and 3 days after ovulation (days 10-17 of the cycle are considered the most dangerous). This method is only suitable for women who have regular periods.
Observing the nature of vaginal discharge
Having chosen this method, you need to understand the following points:
- immediately after graduation critical days there is no mucus. This period is the safest for unprotected sex;
- the maturation of the egg is accompanied by frequent secretions of mucus, which becomes stickier and denser, this indicates that the day of ovulation is approaching;
- on the most “dangerous” days, the amount of mucus increases significantly, then you should switch to other means of protection or abstinence from sexual intercourse;
- a couple of days before your period, the amount of discharge decreases, and in some cases it may even disappear.
By establishing strict control over the quality and quantity of the discharge, this method can be very effective. It can also be used in combination with other natural methods of protection.
Involves measuring body temperature in a passive state (resting state). It is measured regularly using a thermometer, which is installed in the anus. After 5 minutes it is removed and the exact readings are recorded.
When ovulation occurs, body temperature usually rises, which is a sign to limit or abstain from sexual intercourse. As soon as temperatures begin to drop, this means that “those days” are behind us and intimate relationships can be resumed.
In the process of monitoring, a woman should build a graph of temperature decrease/increase, on which dangerous and safe days should be marked. 
Advantages and disadvantages of natural methods of protection
The main advantages are:
- no side effects;
- the opportunity to gain control over the state of one’s women’s health;
- do not require spending money;
- suitable for most women and men;
- provide the opportunity to plan pregnancy.
Main disadvantages:
- low efficiency;
- not suitable for women with irregular cycles;
- some of them require total concentration from men, which does not allow them to relax;
- protection against transmission of sexually transmitted infections is zero;
- Requires discipline in maintaining all records at all times.
If you decide to resort to this type of contraception, then first of all evaluate the health status of your sexual partner, his ability to self-control, and his desire to carry out all the steps that this or that method involves. Then, analyze your cycle to find out how regular it is and whether natural birth control is right for you.
Natural methods of contraception have proven themselves well, and most importantly, they have not been seen as harmful to the fragile female body. With the right approach and scrupulous attitude, you can predict the most favorable day for conception (when planning a pregnancy) or protect your couple from an unplanned pregnancy.