Birth Control - Natural Contraceptive Methods

Tracking the menstrual cycle on a calendar to identify and avoid fertile days by practising sexual abstinence.

Mechanism:

• The woman records the start and end date of her menstrual period over at least 6 consecutive months.
• Based on cycle length, she estimates when ovulation is likely (approximately Day 14 of a 28-day cycle).
• The couple abstains from sexual intercourse during the estimated fertile days.
• Relies on the principle that a woman is most likely to conceive only around the time of ovulation.

Daily measurement of the body's resting temperature to detect the slight rise that occurs just after ovulation.

Mechanism:

• The woman takes her temperature every morning before getting out of bed, and before eating or drinking anything.
• Just before ovulation, the body temperature takes a slight dip.
• The temperature then rises by 0.5°F to 1°F (0.2°C – 0.5°C) the day after ovulation and remains elevated.
• The couple avoids intercourse around the period of this temperature rise.
• Accurate records must be maintained; temperature is taken by mouth.

Daily monitoring of the quantity and consistency of cervical mucus to identify the fertile window.

Mechanism:

• The cervix secretes mucus throughout the menstrual cycle; its character changes with hormonal shifts.
• As ovulation approaches, mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy (resembling raw egg whites) — signalling peak fertility.
• After ovulation, mucus becomes thick, sticky, or disappears entirely.
• The woman checks the stickiness and quantity of vaginal discharge daily.
• The couple avoids intercourse during days of clear, stretchy mucus.

Voluntarily refraining from sexual intercourse completely during the identified fertile period of the menstrual cycle.

Mechanism:

• Couples abstain from coitus from Day 10 to Day 17 of the menstrual cycle - the window when ovulation is most expected.
• During this period, chances of fertilisation are very high; it is therefore called the fertile period.
• By avoiding intercourse during these 7–8 days, the possibility of sperm meeting the ovum is eliminated.
• Identifying fertile days is also useful for couples trying to conceive, as it pinpoints the optimal window.

The male partner withdraws the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation to prevent sperms from entering the female reproductive tract.

Mechanism:

• The male partner withdraws completely before ejaculation occurs.
• Ejaculate is deposited away from the vagina, preventing sperm from reaching the ovum.
• Requires complete self-control and precise timing by the male partner.

Washing out (flushing) the vagina immediately after sexual intercourse in an attempt to remove sperms before fertilisation.

Mechanism:

• The vaginal canal is flushed with water or a solution immediately after coitus.
• The aim is to remove or neutralise sperms present in the vagina.

The natural suppression of ovulation (and thus menstruation) during the period of intense, exclusive breastfeeding following childbirth (parturition).

Mechanism:

• After delivery, if the mother exclusively breastfeeds her baby (no supplemental feeds), ovulation does not occur.
• Physiological basis: Suckling stimulates the release of Prolactin from the anterior pituitary. Elevated prolactin suppresses GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) from the hypothalamus → reduced LH and FSH release → no follicle development → no ovulation.
• No ovulation → no menstrual cycle (amenorrhoea) → no pregnancy.
• Chances of conception during full breastfeeding are almost nil.