In order to prevent pregnancy naturally, a woman or couple must understand the female reproductive cycle and what days pregnancy is most likely to occur. There are several easy to understand methods, assuming that you are a woman who has a regular period each month.
Instructions
1. Use the day counting method. The first day of menstrual bleeding is day 1 of your cycle. Count the length of your cycle until the first day of your next period and record the number for 6 months. Subtract 18 from your shortest cycle in the past 6 months. Subtract 11 from your longest cycle in the past 6 months. For example, 18 from 28 is 10, 11 from 32 is 21. From day 10 to day 21 is your most fertile time and you should use some type of barrier protection to prevent pregnancy or abstain from intercourse.
2. Try the symptothermal method. This will require you to purchase a basal body thermometer. Each morning before getting out of bed take your temperature using the basal body thermometer. Record the number each day. Your basal body temperature drops slightly just before ovulation and reaches its lowest point at ovulation. Over the next two or three days your body temperature will increase 1 to 2 degrees until it reaches normal and stays there through the end of your cycle.
3. Consider the ovulation method. This method requires you to check your cervical mucous each day during your cycle. Unfertile cervical mucous is thick, sticky and cloudy in color. Fertile cervical mucus is thinner and watery. It is also stringy, clear and more abundant. If your cervical mucus is clear and stretchy you may be ovulating and should avoid unprotected sex.
Tags: your cycle, basal body, basal body thermometer, body temperature, body thermometer