The rhythm method is one of the forms of natural family planning that exist for the prevention of unwanted pregnancy. This involves having sex in the infertile days of the menstrual cycle and to abstain from sex during fertile days. This practice is approved by the Catholic Church and was proposed by Ogino and Knaus in the thirties. That’s why this technique is also called “Calendar-based contraceptive methods” and is known as one of the oldest ways to know the fertile period of the menstrual cycle. It is based on record for six or seven months menstruation dates in order to know the length of your cycle.

If your menstrual cycle is irregular, you should not practice this method. But if it is regular, you can predict what day ovulation occurs. To do this, you subtract fourteen days to the first day of menstruation and add three days after the menstrual cycle. Do not forget that for every woman’s cycle is different and each must bring their own. But is it really effective this method? No, it is not. Studies have shown that the error is between 30% and 50%. In addition, if badly performed, the chances of conceiving increase to 80%.

Therefore, the rhythm method is not the best or most efficient. Being a natural practice that requires only observation has no side effects on health, but it does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. People mostly use this technique are well established married couples. This method, well spent, can be of great help, but does not work the same way for all women.

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Fertile days of a woman depend on the duration of egg and sperm. We must remember that the egg has a life of 36 hours, interval during which it can be fertilized by sperm. The sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract between two or three days.

Women, who have regular cycles of exactly 28 days, can have sex from day 1 until the 9. While your fertile days will be between 10 and 17. In this way, they can have sex again from day 17 to 28. In contrast to women who have a menstrual cycle that lasts between 25 and 35 days, fertile days are found in between 7 and 21 from the day that saw the first drop of blood.

Unfortunately there are many factors that can influence the alteration of their menstrual cycle and cause a delay. Often stress, weight or childbirth can cause variations. One disadvantage of this method is that it is not possible to know whether failed or not. It is always recommended to combine it with other natural contraceptives to be safe. Check with your doctor to find an alternative measure.

ALFA