Fertility awareness inevitably leads to natural birth control. There are many couples out there who for one reason or another cannot use hormonal contraceptives, and prefer to combine natural family planning with some non-traditional birth control method. The ovulation method, the rhythm method, the standard days method, the sympto-thermal method are just a few of the natural birth control choices people rely on. Here is how each of these works.

The standard days method

According to this type of natural birth control, the menstrual cycle is divided into three main periods. The menstrual bleeding occurs on day !. There are very reduced chances of getting pregnant if you have sex between day 1 and day 8. Ovulation occurs between day 9 and day 18, and this is the most fertile interval. You should not have sex, or you should use another birth control method. Natural birth control is once again possible between day 20 and day 32.

The ovulation method

The analysis of the changes in the cervical mucus makes the basis for the ovulation method. Ovulation usually takes place between the 9th and the 18th day of the menstrual cycle, but variations are possible from woman to woman. The fertility tests available in drug stores can help you determine when you ovulate, and thus you can use some extra birth control during that period.

The sympto-thermal method

This natural birth control method requires the careful monitoring of the changes in the basal temperature throughout the menstrual cycle. It is a bit more difficult to keep track of the subtle changes in the body, which is why women who want to get pregnant are keener on this method than those who seek natural birth control.

The big disadvantage of natural birth control methods is that it cannot offer any guarantees. There is a lot of unpredictable in the way a woman’s body works during the menstrual cycle, and in many cases unplanned pregnancies have appeared like this. If the menstrual pattern is regular, then the efficiency of natural birth control methods is very high, just like that of hormonal birth control. Seek medical advice and see what recommendations you can get. Professional advice makes choices a lot easier, and good information may save you from an unwanted pregnancy!