Natural Methods of Birth Control
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stölppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Introduction to birth control
If a woman is sexually active and she is fertile and physically
able to become pregnant, she needs to ask herself, "Do I want to become pregnant now?"
If her answer is "No," she must use some method of birth control
(contraception).
Terminology used to describe birth control methods
include contraception, pregnancy prevention, fertility control, and family planning. But no matter what
the process is called, sexually active people can choose from a plethora of
methods to reduce the possibility of their becoming pregnant. Nevertheless, no
method of birth control available today offers perfect protection against
sexually transmitted infections (sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs), except
abstinence.
In simple terms, all methods of birth control are based on either preventing
a man's sperm from reaching and entering a woman's egg (fertilization) or
preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the woman's uterus (her womb)
and starting to grow. New methods of birth control are being developed and
tested all the time. And what is appropriate for a couple at one point may
change with time and circumstances.
Unfortunately, no birth control method, except abstinence, is considered to
be 100% effective.
"Natural" methods of contraception
These methods of contraception are considered "natural" because they are not mechanical and not a result of hormone manipulation. Instead, these methods require that a man and woman not have sexual intercourse during the time when an egg is available to be fertilized by a sperm.
The fertility awareness methods (FAMs) are based upon knowing when a woman
ovulates each month. In order to use a FAM, it is necessary to watch for the
signs and symptoms that indicate ovulation has occurred or is about to occur.
On the average, the egg is released about 14 (plus or minus 2) days before a
woman's next menstrual period. But because the egg survives 3 to 4 days (6 to 24
hours after ovulation) and the sperm can live 48 to 72 hours (up to even 5 days
in fertile mucus), the actual time during which a woman may become pregnant is
measured not in hours, not in days, but in weeks.
FAMS can be up to 98% effective, but they require a continuous and conscious
commitment with considerable monitoring and self-control. Although these methods were developed
to prevent pregnancy, they can equally well be used by a couple to increase
fertility and promote conception.
Next: Calendar rhythm method »
- Douching (Vaginal Douche) - Learn why doctors do not recommend vaginal douching. Douching increases the risk for vaginal infections, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other conditions.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs) - Learn and become aware of common STDs in women, including descriptions, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of each type of infection.
- Hormonal Methods of Birth Control - Read about hormonal birth control methods, such as oral contraceptives, the patch, birth control injection, and vaginal ring. The hormones used in hormonal birth control are estrogen and/or progesterone.
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