When it comes to preventing pregnancy, you have many different options available, ranging from barrier methods, such as the condom, to medications, such as the birth control pill. Several alternative methods to birth control are available that allow you to prevent pregnancy without some of the negative aspects attributed to the more popular methods. It's important to understand that these alternative methods may help protect against pregnancy, but they do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Calendar Method
The calendar method, also commonly referred to as the rhythm method, uses the estimated date of ovulation each month to determine when you and your partner can have sexual intercourse without getting pregnant. Although not an exact science, in general the calendar method consists of counting back 14 days before your menstruation to estimate ovulation. This means you have five days before and three days after ovulation when you are most fertile and likely to become pregnant. During that time, you and your partner may stay abstinent, or you may use a barrier method, such as a condom.
Withdrawal
The withdrawal method, or "pull out" method, of birth control involves removing the penis before ejaculation to prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. Unfortunately, withdrawal is one of the least effective alternative forms of birth control due to how difficult it can be to determine when the male is going to ejaculate, as well as the fact that sperm may be released prior to ejaculation. If done correctly, only four in 100 women will become pregnant from this method. However, if the male is unable to tell when he is close to ejaculation, 27 in 100 women will become pregnant from this method, estimates the Planned Parenthood organization.
Basal Temperature Testing
Another alternative method of birth control, which may be combined with other methods, is basal temperature testing. During this method, you take your temperature each day of the month. On the day of your ovulation, your temperature will rise between 0.4 and 0.8 degrees F, and it will remain this way for up to three days, states MayoClinic.com. From there, you can estimate the day of fertility the same way as you determined it with the calendar method -- by calculating five days before and three days after the day your temperature spikes.
Cervical Mucus
You may test the consistency of your cervical mucus to determine your time of ovulation. Cervical mucus is expelled from the vagina and can have different consistencies, depending on your fertility. When this mucus is clear and slippery, similar to raw egg whites, you are in your most fertile time when unprotected intercourse should be avoided, states the National Women's Health Information Center.
