When you're sexually active, you should have a reliable contraceptive in place if you don't want to become pregnant. When most individuals think about contraceptives, they think about condoms or hormonal birth control. While both have their place, you may be looking for a more natural approach when it comes to contraception. You don't always need to introduce a foreign object or drugs to keep you safe from pregnancy. Natural contraceptive methods have been employed for centuries to protect women from pregnancy.
Abstinence
While it may sound obvious, abstinence is a great form of contraception. In fact, it is the only form of contraception that is 100-percent effective. Many couples find that they can still have a full and robust level of sexual activity without intercourse by engaging in other sexual activities that will not lead to pregnancy. Oral and manual stimulation work well in a healthy sexual relationship without intercourse.
Withdrawal Method
The withdrawal method, where the male partner withdraws before ejaculation, is not considered an especially effective means of contraception. However, some couples may find that in a pinch, withdrawal offers some protection. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the withdrawal carries about an 18 percent to 19 percent failure rate, as the female can still become pregnant from pre-ejaculatory emissions.
Standard Days Method
The standard days method works solely on the fact that most women have a 28-day cycle and ovulate on day 14, making day 14 their most fertile day. Women using the standard days method as contraception keep careful track of their cycle using a calendar and the knowledge that days eight through 19 should be avoided when it comes to sex, as it is the most fertile day of the month. The Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University notes that the Standard Days method has a 12 percent failure rate with regular use.
Lactational Amenorrhea Method
The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) is based on that fact that your own biology is a natural contraceptive when you're nursing, due to postpartum infertility. While you're nursing your newborn baby, you can rely on your LAM for the first six months as long as you are not supplementing your baby with any other food and your menstruation cycle has not yet returned. Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive that has only a 2 percent failure rate.
Symptothermal Method
You can use a thermometer as your primary device for contraception when engaging in the symptothermal method. This method takes into consideration the state of your cervical mucus, as well as your basal body temperature, to give you clues about ovulation. One to two days before ovulation, you may notice a change in cervical mucus, in consistency and amount. Your temperature will also rise about 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit. To use this method as an effective contraception, couples do not have sex for three days after these two changes, when ovulation ends. This method carries a 20 percent failure rate with typical use, but according to The Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University, it has a mere 2 percent to 5 percent failure rate with perfect use.
