Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is an important backup option. It's worth knowing about even if you're the most skilled user of condoms or other precautions.
There's two kinds available. The "morning after" pill, also known as emergency hormonal contraception or EHC, and the IUD (copper coil).
If ovulation is occurring or about to occur, the morning after pill might not work. Still take it but consider also getting an IUD fitted. You can get it removed when you're ready.
There's two kinds available. The "morning after" pill, also known as emergency hormonal contraception or EHC, and the IUD (copper coil).
If ovulation is occurring or about to occur, the morning after pill might not work. Still take it but consider also getting an IUD fitted. You can get it removed when you're ready.
Do you need emergency contraception?
You're fertile for just nine days a cycle, at most, so it might be tempting to skip emergency contraception.
Ideally, if you're using fertility awareness as contraception, you'll be on top of your data and know whether or not you're fertile at the moment.
But I know life isn't always like that, and you might not want the disruption or expense of taking emergency contraception when you don't need to.
If that's you, and you've been recording day one of your period, a quick fix is to
Ideally, if you're using fertility awareness as contraception, you'll be on top of your data and know whether or not you're fertile at the moment.
But I know life isn't always like that, and you might not want the disruption or expense of taking emergency contraception when you don't need to.
If that's you, and you've been recording day one of your period, a quick fix is to
- Use your shortest and longest cycle lengths to work out when you are fertile
- Ask yourself if you've experienced any potential disruptors.
Using your cycle length to work out when you are fertile
Your cycle starts on day one of proper bleeding (not spotting) and ends the day before your next period starts.
You need six month or ideally a year of data to do this. Always use data from the most recent year or six months, things change.
Use this to help you work out when your first fertile day occurs:
Shortest cycle in the last year minus 20 = first fertile day
For example, if your shortest cycle was 27 days your first fertile day is cycle day 7 (27 - 20 = 7)
If you only have six month of data use this:
Shortest cycle in the last year minus 21 = first fertile day
For example, if your shortest cycle was 27 days your first fertile day is cycle day 6 (27 - 21 = 6)
Base your last fertile day on this:
Longest cycle in the last year minus 10 = last fertile day
For example, if your longest cycle was 31 days your last fertile day is cycle day 21 (31 - 10 = 21)
If you only have six month of data use this:
Longest cycle in the last year minus 11 = last fertile day
For example, if your longest cycle was 31 days your last fertile day is cycle day 21 (31 - 10 = 21)
You need six month or ideally a year of data to do this. Always use data from the most recent year or six months, things change.
Use this to help you work out when your first fertile day occurs:
Shortest cycle in the last year minus 20 = first fertile day
For example, if your shortest cycle was 27 days your first fertile day is cycle day 7 (27 - 20 = 7)
If you only have six month of data use this:
Shortest cycle in the last year minus 21 = first fertile day
For example, if your shortest cycle was 27 days your first fertile day is cycle day 6 (27 - 21 = 6)
Base your last fertile day on this:
Longest cycle in the last year minus 10 = last fertile day
For example, if your longest cycle was 31 days your last fertile day is cycle day 21 (31 - 10 = 21)
If you only have six month of data use this:
Longest cycle in the last year minus 11 = last fertile day
For example, if your longest cycle was 31 days your last fertile day is cycle day 21 (31 - 10 = 21)
Any cycle disruptors?
Alongside these cycle calculations, ask yourself if anything has happened that might have disrupted your cycle.
Sometimes our cycles are disrupted by illness, life events, sudden weight loss or a new exercise routine. If you've been through anything like this recently you can't rely on cycle length calculations.
Like I said, this is a quick fix. Fertility awareness works best if you also use your waking temperature, fluid and/or ovulation tests to work out when you are fertile.
If you're in any doubt just go ahead and take emergency contraception. It's a very handy thing.
Sometimes our cycles are disrupted by illness, life events, sudden weight loss or a new exercise routine. If you've been through anything like this recently you can't rely on cycle length calculations.
Like I said, this is a quick fix. Fertility awareness works best if you also use your waking temperature, fluid and/or ovulation tests to work out when you are fertile.
If you're in any doubt just go ahead and take emergency contraception. It's a very handy thing.
After using emergency contraception
After emergency contraception your period is either later or earlier than usual. Use condoms or other precautions till you have used your waking temperature, fluid and/or ovulation tests to confirm ovulation has been and gone.
If you're not sure how to do this, or want a confidence boost, get support.
You could also consider using a different kind of contraception. I'm a big fan of fertility awareness but I don't want anyone to feel it's their only option, there are others.
If you're not sure how to do this, or want a confidence boost, get support.
You could also consider using a different kind of contraception. I'm a big fan of fertility awareness but I don't want anyone to feel it's their only option, there are others.