Despite the huge selection of different methods of contraception available today, natural methods of preventing unwanted pregnancies remain among the most widely used worldwide. Their essence is to control the physiological signs of the onset of ovulation in the female body and periods when the onset of fertilization is unlikely during the phases of the menstrual cycle. These methods of contraception are often preferred by couples who have been together for a long time and are confident in each other, since natural methods of contraception do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
History of the discovery of the calendar method of contraception
A prominent representative of natural methods of contraception is the calendar method or the Claus-Ogino method. Back in 1876, Maria Putnam conducted a study and found that during the menstrual cycle, fluctuations in basal temperature occur in a woman's body. In 1929, the researcher Knaus made an observation and determined that after the onset of ovulation, even with a developed corpus luteum, pregnancy does not occur after sexual intercourse. In 1932, another scientist, Ogino, confirmed the correctness of his observations. After lengthy observations and tests of the correctness of the judgments of Knaus and Ogin, it was found that the possibility of fertilization depends on three main physiological factors: the day of ovulation, the survival of spermatozoa and the survival of eggs.
How to Prevent Pregnancy Using the Calendar Method of Contraception
The calendar method for preventing unwanted pregnancy is based on physiological data. The average menstrual cycle for a woman is 28 days, with ovulation occurring on day 14. Given the fact that the ovulation period can change in different cycles, which depends on individual characteristics, 4 more days are added to day 14: two days before ovulation, and two days after it. Since spermatozoa tend to survive in the environment of the female genital organs for several days, we can say that the period of fertility, that is, the time favorable for conception, begins on the tenth day of the menstrual cycle. Since the life of the egg is 24 hours, one more day should be added to the 16th day of the cycle. Thus, in a normal 28-day menstrual cycle, the period in which fertilization is most likely to occur is from 10 to 17 days of the menstrual cycle. With a 26-day cycle - from 8 to 17 days, and so on. The calendar method of contraception involves abstaining from sexual relations during this period, or the use of additional methods of contraception.
The main pros and cons of the calendar method of contraception
The main advantage of the calendar method of preventing unwanted pregnancy is its cheapness and availability: there is no need to buy special contraception products. In addition, the calendar method of contraception absolutely does not harm the female body and is even positively perceived by most world religions. However, the disadvantages of the calendar method of contraception include the need for strict control over the menstrual cycle, since an error in the calculations for just one day can lead to an unwanted pregnancy. In addition, the calendar method of contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. For women who already have children and wish to use a more effective and longer-lasting method of contraception, much more preferable is the installation of an intrauterine device. You can learn more about the features of the insertion and removal of the intrauterine device here.
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