How to Avoid Pregnancy Naturally

Pregnancy, as one of the most life-changing events in life, should be a well-planned step. If you are not socially, emotionally and physically prepared, then do not take that step and take some measures to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

It is possible to prevent pregnancy through many ways, both natural and artificial. Natural ways can be of help without taking any medication or using any hormonal manipulation, but they do not guarantee a high success rate as fertile days and ovulation can be hard to estimate.

How to Avoid Pregnancy Naturally

Natural ways of avoiding pregnancy include the fertility awareness and the natural family planning method. Under these categories, we have the calendar method, the basal body temperature method, the cervical mucus method, lactational amenorrhea, withdrawal and abstinence. These methods deal with a disciplined and determined mind. Here are some of the guidelines.

1. Follow the Calendar Method

This method requires a close monitoring of the menstrual cycle, particularly the first day of bleeding. It will help prevent pregnancy by determining the fertile days and the infertile days. From the day 1 up to day 7 as well as day 20 till the first day of the next menstrual period, pregnancy rate is very low, but from day 8 through day 19, there is a high risk for pregnancy, since these days are fertile.

However, a woman should keep in mind that this method is advisable only for women with a regular cycle lasting 26 to 32 days. If you have an irregular cycle, then this method might be less effective and other method is recommended.

2. Try the Basal Body Temperature Method

Basal body temperature is a part of fertility awareness method that monitors the lowest body temperature at rest. The theory behind this method is that a woman's temperature would drop before ovulation and increase once the process ends. Therefore, to avoid pregnancy, women should not have sex when her temperature drops till 2-3 days after the temperature rises again.

But the drop would be very small, usually less than 1 degree F, so it is important to use a special thermometer that is highly accurate and sensitive to track the BBT every morning upon waking up.

3. The Cervical Mucus Method

With the question, how to avoid pregnancy naturally, the cervical mucus method is another perfect choice as this will help determine the fertile days and the infertile days for sex. You can check the cervical mucus by touching the opening of the vagina with the use of a tissue or your two fingers.

  • You are fertile when the mucus is slippery, stretchy and clear white; if the cervical mucus is sticky, it means that you just finished your menstrual cycle and you are safe to have sex.
  • In addition, if the cervical mucus is sticky and gluey, not stretchable, then you are not yet ready to ovulate and you are not yet fertile. You can safely have sexual activity during this time.

Take note, it's not proper to check the cervical mucus right after sex. Apart from that, medications like antihistamines, tranquilizers, antibiotics and diuretics can greatly affect the appearance and characteristics of the cervical mucus.

4. Go for Lactational Amenorrhea Method

Aside from the vitamins and minerals that breastfeeding can provide for your baby, an exclusive breastfeeding, can also be an effective contraceptive method 6 months after giving birth, when the menstruation has not yet returned, provided that the mother feeds the baby every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours during the night.

Careful monitoring is needed for this natural method for the pregnancy to be prevented. The lactational amenorrhea method known to be 98% effective is no longer recommended if the baby is on mixed feeding and if the baby was already 6 months, since any sexual intercourse may already lead to another pregnancy.

Some breastfeeding moms would ask how does breastfeeding stops pregnancy after giving birth and how does it delay menstruation. The hormone responsible for breast milk formation is called prolactin which is also responsible for fertility. With this hormone actively present in the mother's body, then menstruation will surely be delayed.

5. Try the Withdrawal Method

When asked about how to avoid pregnancy naturally, withdrawal method is another choice. This prevents pregnancy as it hinders the sperm from entering the vagina. In withdrawal method, during a sexual intercourse, right before the ejaculation, the man will withdraw his penis from the vaginal canal, thus preventing any ovulation. The disadvantage of this method is the possibility of pre-ejaculatory sperm that could have entered the vaginal canal even before the penis have been pulled out. Any wrong move may lead to pregnancy.

Studies show that this method is not a 100% guarantee. However, this needs a total agreement and a tough decision between the couple as this involves mind and body coordination.That is the reason why proper knowledge about this specific method is very important.

6. The Need for Abstinence

Another way on how to avoid pregnancy naturally is through abstinence. It means to avoid sex. It can be abstaining from vaginal sex, oral sex or with genital contact. Aside from preventing a woman to bear a child, it also provides protection from sexually transmitted diseases. Without contact, surely pregnancy will be avoided. However, this was a very hard thing to do for most people, especially those who are sexually active.

 
 
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