The rhythm birth control method is a form of birth control that does not require any hormones or devices, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. To perform the rhythm birth control method, a woman needs to determine when she ovulates. However, the rhythm birth control method is not very effective in preventing pregnancy and another method should be used with it, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
Theory
According to Epigee Women's Health, the rhythm birth control method is centered around three ideas involving the male and female bodies. The first idea is that women ovulate 14 days before their menstruation begins, plus or minus two days, depending on the individual woman. The second idea is that sperm can survive inside a woman's body for three days. The last idea is that an egg can be fertilized only within 24 hours of its release from the ovaries.
Process
According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Epigee, the woman counts back 14 days from the first day of her period to determine when her ovulation occurs. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation also suggests measuring changes in the basal body temperature or cervical mucus every day. A woman should look for cervical mucus that is clear, slippery and stretchy, and a higher basal body temperature to determine when she ovulates. Once the ovulation period is determined, the woman can abstain from sex or use a condom to prevent pregnancy.
Problems
The rhythm birth control method is not an effective birth control method. According to Epigee, rhythm birth control has a failure rate between 13 and 20 percent. The high failure rate is due to the rhythm method not being applicable for every woman. According to Epigee, the theory that rhythm birth control is based upon is not completely accurate. For example, a woman's egg is not always released from her ovaries on the same day; in addition, the rhythm birth control method is not recommended for women with irregular menstruation cycles. Also, sperm can live up to seven days inside a woman after intercourse, according to Epigee. The rhythm birth control method does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
