Natural contraceptive methods: what they are and how they work!
Most natural contraceptive methods are based on "careful observation of your body. For this reason the term" symptothermal method of contraception "is often used. The advantage of these natural methods of personal planning? They require few aids and have no influence on the body's natural processes, unlike hormonal contraception.
The downside: it all depends on the discipline and patience that are required for these contraceptive methods to work, and doubts often remain about their safety.
We will show you what natural contraception methods are available and what you need to pay attention to.
How safe is natural contraception?
The bad news is that natural contraceptive methods are not as safe as the pill or similar. However, if one of the natural methods (or rather, a combination of two) is used in a disciplined way, good results can be achieved in terms of safety.
However, natural contraceptive methods are less and less safe than taking hormonal products because they can be easily influenced by irregular lifestyle habits such as long work shifts or poor sleep, but also by the intake of alcohol and drugs and various diseases, especially those with fever as a symptom.
The natural cycle can also become more irregular during travel and times of stress, which can reduce the reliability of natural contraception.
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What are the benefits of natural contraceptive methods?
The biggest advantage: natural contraception does not interfere with hormonal balance. Side effects or interactions, such as those caused by the pill, therefore, do not occur. In addition, awareness of one's body is increased. bases of the female organism are by nature, in most cases, very well aligned.
Using natural contraceptive methods, many women not only experience control over their fertile days and a better sense of well-being during their period, but also report a significantly changed and more positive relationship with their body.
Here is an overview of the different natural contraceptive methods:
1. Natural contraception with a thermometer
The basal body temperature method, often referred to simply as the temperature method, is one of the most widely used natural contraceptive systems. It can be done with or without the help of a computer or other technological tool. In the morning, before getting up, the temperature should always be taken at the same time and after at least six hours of sleep. If possible, it should be included in a graph in order to keep track of them daily.
If measured regularly, a curve will be visible showing a slight increase in temperature of about half a degree. About a day after the temperature rises, ovulation occurs and the woman is more fertile. From the third day of the rise in temperature to menstruation - certainly a sterile period - are the days that are most likely to be fertile.
Important: take into account that sperm can survive in the woman's body for up to three days. To prevent pregnancy in a natural way, at least five or six days before the temperature rise are therefore considered critical, during which other contraceptives, even unnatural ones, such as condoms, must be used.
You can buy the Femometer Basal Temperature Thermometer on Amazon for just € 33.
Pros:
- The Pearl index, or the clinical statistics for measuring the effectiveness of contraception methods, of temperature measurement is 0.8-3, which is lower than other natural contraceptive methods (cervical mucus or interrupted coitus). The higher the Pearl Index, the more uncertain the method. However, the temperature method is more uncertain than, for example, the hormone measurement method.
- There are no costs associated with this type of natural contraception.
Against:
- This natural contraceptive method is only recommended for disciplined women with a well-defined daily routine and regular cycle.
2. Cervical mucus
The next natural contraceptive method, the Billings method, which dates back to the doctors of the same name, uses vaginal secretion, or cervical mucus, as an indicator of fertile days.
During the female cycle, the amount of hormones released fluctuates, causing a change in vaginal secretion. During ovulation, the cervical mucus becomes thinner, clearer and therefore more permeable for the spermatozoa. On fertile days, the mucus is said to be "spinnable", because it appears abundant, transparent, particularly filamentous and fluid.
By observing cervical mucus every morning, recordings can be made that allow women to follow their cycle and interpret it over time. As soon as the vaginal discharge becomes clear, the critical days around ovulation begin, in which additional contraceptives in addition to natural ones should be used.
Tip: Document your observations to increase safety.
Pros:
- The Billings method is quick and easy to use.
- There is no charge for this type of natural contraception.
Against:
- It takes practice and a trained eye.
- Psychological stress or a "bacterial infection of the vagina can lead to changes in mucus secretion."
- The Pearl index of the Billings method is 5, but the Billings method is very uncertain when used alone. However, it is a good complement to other natural contraception methods, such as the Every-Knaus method or the basal body temperature method.
3. Interrupted coitus: a controversial and unsafe method
Interrupted coitus - or "interrupted sexual intercourse" - is considered the oldest natural method of contraception, but also the most dangerous. It is a man who extracts his penis from the vagina just before orgasm to prevent sperm from reaching the egg.
However, since some sperm already emerges before orgasm, the so-called "loss of desire", this natural contraceptive method is not suitable for avoiding pregnancy, as the risk of fertilization is only slightly reduced.
Against:
- Very dangerous! The Pearl index of interrupted coitus is between 4 and 18.
4. Hormone measurement
Besides the temperature, the hormone level in the body is also a clear sign of the beginning of the fertile phase. With hormone measurement, natural contraception based on the level of estrogen and LH hormones is a good idea.
The hormone LH is responsible for the activation of ovulation. The estrogen content also increases during this period to facilitate the implantation of a fertilized egg. Both hormones can be detected in the morning urine.
With the help of special minicomputers, the morning urine can be tested for hormones on a test stick, starting from the first day of the cycle. At the beginning of menstruation a button is pressed and a green light appears. After a few days the color changes from green to yellow. When the yellow light turns on, it indicates that the test strip, which previously absorbed hormones by briefly dipping it in the urine in the morning, it must be inserted into the device.
In the first month, 16 measurements must be made, in the following months only 8 measurements. If the green light on the device lights up, pregnancy can be excluded with the specified certainty. On the contrary, a red light indicates the woman's fertile days. If the yellow light is on, a new measurement must be taken with another. test strip.
The computer uses these values to calculate the fertile days during which other contraceptives should be used to avoid pregnancy. There are now also apps that help calculate fertile days.
The Persona Contraception Monitor, one of the most recommended devices, is available on Amazon.
Pros:
- Safety is relatively high compared to other natural contraceptives, but varies by type of instrument and by person.
- The device can also be used for targeted family planning.
Against:
- The initial cost of the computer and then of the test strips is about the same as a pill.
- It can only be used if the cycle is longer than 23 and less than 35 days.
5. Schedule by calendar
The Ogino-Knaus method or calendar method is another natural contraceptive method based on keeping track of the days. With this natural contraception, the different monthly cycles are documented with a calendar to determine the personal cycle. Only if the cycle is very regular, can it be analyzed as a function of its length at the average values in the calculation of fertile days.
With an average cycle of 28 days, the fertile days are between the 12th and 18th day from the start of the last menstrual cycle (first day of the cycle = 1st day of calculation). During this time, you should refrain from having intercourse or use other contraceptives if you are not planning to have children.
Pros:
- Very easy to use, also because it does not require any daily measurements.
Against:
- The Ogino-Kanus method is considered to be very uncertain, as there can be many reasons for out-of-the-ordinary variations of the cycle. The Pearl index of this system is 9 and is therefore very high.
6. The combination of natural contraceptive methods
The symptothermal method, also known as the Rötzer method, combines two natural contraceptive methods: the basal body temperature and the Billings method. Both measurement data are entered in a corresponding table to document the cycle. This combination is accompanied by a regular examination of the cervix by the woman, which also shows unmistakable signs of the fertile days.
On fertile days, the cervix is considerably softer, covered with more cervical mucus and allows easier palpation of the now larger cervical opening. On infertile days, however, the cervix is much drier and the opening harder and harder. smaller. The combination of the temperature measurement and the Billings method is considered very safe and has a Pearl index of 0.3.
Calculating ovulation, taking basal body temperature or examining cervical mucus: which of the natural contraceptive methods is best for you must ultimately decide for yourself but not always. Do not hesitate to ask your gynecologist for advice!
