If you want to use fertility awareness to avoid pregnancy, you and your partner need to be happy with how you handle your fertile days.
That generally means about ten days a month when you use condoms or other precautions.
It's only possible to get pregnant for about six days but your fertile time can change so you add some extra days, especially while you're learning.
This might be no big deal, especially if you're already using
That generally means about ten days a month when you use condoms or other precautions.
It's only possible to get pregnant for about six days but your fertile time can change so you add some extra days, especially while you're learning.
This might be no big deal, especially if you're already using
condoms, or it might take a bit of getting used to. Here are some options, in order of effectiveness:
- Avoid sex completely. A slightly extreme option but it's there. If you're using fertility awareness (natural family planning) because you're a Catholic you might enjoy The Sinners Guide to Natural Family Planning*.
- Make foreplay coreplay. I know that's a bit of a cringey phrase but it gets the message across. And it could mean more orgasms if you have a clitoris...
- Condoms. Still one of the most popular ways to avoid pregnancy. Try out different sizes, styles and brands to find the kind that suits you best. Read this for a confidence boost.
- The diaphragm or the cap. Your NHS family planning clinic should be able to fit you with one - it's important that you get the right size. Always use with spermicide.
- Caya is a streamlined mixture of the diaphragm and the cap which fits 80 per cent of women. If your NHS service doesn't stock them, you can order Caya from Amazon* and ask your family planning clinc to check that it fits. This film tell you exactly how to insert Caya.
- Withdrawal or pulling out is a very unforgiving method but it can work better than you might think and many couples are happy with it. See Planned Parenthood for more information.
Mixing methods
You can combine methods to improve effectivess - for example using withdrawal and condoms, or withdrawal and the diaphragm.
You could also use different methods at different times, depending on how fertile you are: a less effective method when you are less likely to get pregnant and a very effective method when you are most likely to get pregnant.
You could also use different methods at different times, depending on how fertile you are: a less effective method when you are less likely to get pregnant and a very effective method when you are most likely to get pregnant.
Plan B
Lots of couples will buy a "just in case" supply of emergency hormonal contraception - or Plan B as it's called in many countries. "Emergency" is an alarming word...
Hopefully you won't need it, but it can be reassuring to know it's there. You can take it up to five days after sex. The quicker you take it the better it works. Here's some NHS information.
Hopefully you won't need it, but it can be reassuring to know it's there. You can take it up to five days after sex. The quicker you take it the better it works. Here's some NHS information.
Want to learn more?
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* Affliliate links. I only link to things I think will be helpful.
* Affliliate links. I only link to things I think will be helpful.