What is it?
The rhythm method is a way to prevent pregnancy by not having sex around the time of a woman’s ovulation – the release of an egg during her monthly cycle. For couples who want to have a baby this method ensures that they are having sex at the time they are most likely to get pregnant.
How does the rhythm method work?
If the couple doesn’t have sex around the time of ovulation, then the woman can’t get pregnant. The key is knowing when ovulation occurs. Some couples use a calendar, a kit that tests the thickness of cervical mucus, a thermometer to measure body temperature, or a kit that tests for ovulation. The kits are more useful for couples who are trying to get pregnant. Ovulation’s most fertile period lasts 6 to 9 days and during this time the couple should not have unprotected sex.
How efficient is it?
Unfortunately, the rhythm method is not a reliable way to prevent pregnancy. About 25 out of 100 couples (over the course of a year) who rely on the rhythm method will have an accidental pregnancy. This is an average figure, so the chance of getting pregnant depends wholly on whether the couple uses one or more of the rhythm method tools correctly and consistently and if the couple has unprotected sex during the fertile period.
Preventing pregnancy with the rhythm method also depends on how consistent a woman’s ovulatory cycle is and how exact a couple is at keeping track of when she could be ovulating. Convenience of the method and using it correctly all the time are also key factors for not getting pregnant.
Does the rhythm method protect against STDs?
NO it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. While having sex, condoms must always be used with the rhythm method to protect against STDs.
Is it reliable?
For most women the rhythm method is not a reliable way to prevent pregnancy. It can be quite difficult to tell when a woman is fertile. The method requires a strong commitment to watching for body changes, keeping daily records, and most importantly, not having sex in the fertile period. Practice makes perfect, as it may take couples months to get this method right.
Who can you talk to about the rhythm method?
For an informed opinion it is best to talk to a doctor or counselor who is trained in fertility awareness. He or she can then teach the couple what it takes to practice the rhythm method accurately.
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
