Natural Methods of contraception

         As the name implies these are the contraceptive practices that do not use  medication in any form to prevent conception.Now are we not interested ? well of course we are........These practices  are in vogue from the prehistoric time. But even now many of you well educated couples are practicing even if u have to face a risk of accidental pregnancy.
         If these methods r to be classified they would fall under the following category....

1. Natural family planning methods.(NFP)
2. lactational amenorrhoea method(LAM)
3. Withdrawal method
4. Minor method

1Natural family planning methods.(NFP)

      These refers to methods of planning and preventing pregnancy by observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle,  of course with the avoidance of intercourse during the fertile phase if pregnancy is to be avoided.
     Now let me tell u something.. during ur entire reproductive period u will shed around 300 - 400 eggs from ur ovaries, usually one in each cycle alternately. This is called ovulation.Very rarely a second ovulation occurs within 24 hours of the 1st ovulation.Ur egg is very precious , it can only be fertilized within 24 hours after it is shed. after that its gone. After ejaculation sperm gain entry into the uterine cavity within minutes and reach the outer end of ur tubes within 1 - 1 1/2 hrs(see how rest less they are ..even in their miniature form).Now these sperms can live inside vagina upto 5 days and rarely upto 7 days.But they regain the ability to fertilize ur egg for a mere 3 days. Now once u avoid intercourse this period u are a free gal...
    Now the million dollar question is how to know when u r ovulating....Usually the most fertile period of a woman is from 10th (rarely 9th ) day of her cycle to the 18th day , provided the cycle is of 28 days. To know when is ur fertile period u can try the following methods , which i will discuss one by one...

1. Rhythm method
2. Basal body temp method
3. cervical mucus method
4. Symptothermal method.

1.Rhythm Method:

This method is also called the calender method.It is based on "Ogino-Knaus theory") that ovulation takes place about 14+/_2 days before the next period. But variations are there , specially in adolescents when you are yet to come in terms with your hormones , and in pre menopausal woman when your hormones are planning to leave you. also in times of stress , travel , some medications and not to forget about is fever.as atleast 20% of you will experience abnormal cycle , a record of 1st day of menstruation (called day 1 ) should be marked on a calender for 6 months. The longest and the shortest cycle is thus noted.

                      

                       Now the tricky part...by subtracting18 days from the length of your shortest previous cycle , you will know about the day on which you will have your first fertile period. substract 11 days from the length of your longest previous cycle ,and voila ...you get the last day of your fertile period.

                         Still confused....?... OK let me explain more , say during the last six months which you had been marking laboriously on a calender...the shortest cycle you got is 28 days...do the calculation ..its 10. and now say the longest cycle you got is 32...so deduct 11 and you got is 21..   So your fertile period starts from 10th day to 21 days of your present menstrual cycle. Nd you should avoid intercourse during those days if you are to avoid being pregnant.

Draw  back of this method

1. High failure rate
2. It greatly reduces the days of safe days of intercourse.

2.Basal Body Temperature Method

                  As we all know that we have two female hormones in our body Estrogen and Progesterone. This method is based on the fact that after ovulation progesterone level in blood rises, increasing the basal metabolic rate and causing rise of body temperature by 0.5 to 0.8 degree F or 0.2 to 0.4degree F in Luteal Phase (the period after you ovulate ,till you menstruate is termed as luteal phase.)

                  This method too could not escape few fallacies. sometimes the rise of temperature is gradual , taking several days , and at times two rises can also happen.

                    lets not go further into technical detail and straightway tell you how you should do it. You should record your temperature before getting up from bed in the morning and before washing or taking any food. A thermometer ( A special ovulation thermometer graduated from 36 to 38 degree C is easier to read but if its not available , the usual one is enough.) should be kept under the tongue for about 3 to 5 minutes.vaginal and rectal records are better but most of you dislike it.The record should be plotted in a BBT chart and read daily for any temperature change. you are free from pregnancy if you avoid intercourse at least for 3 days after the temperature rises.

                   It has been found by simultaneous hormonal study that ovulation usually takes place before two to after three days of BBT change.

Draw  back of this method

1. The end of pre ovulatory safe period can not be detected by this method.
2. They have to there fore avoid intercourse or use other contraceptive methods during pre ovulatory and ovulatory period.

3.Cervical Mucus Method:

Just before ovulation maily because of the effect of estrogen the cervical discharge can be  stretched between two fingers(Spinnbarkeit test)This discharge again becomes scanty and thick after ovulation in post ovulatory phase mainly due to the affect of progesterone and remain so till next menstruation. To help you understand more about what to expect from your cervical discharge , i am going to describe variations in your discharge pattern as your cycle proceeds.

Cervical Mucus Pattern

1. Following menstruation most of you will have 1 or 2 days in which no mucus is observed,and the vaginal area feels dry.These are called dry days and are recorded as such.
2. Following dry days mucus start to appear in vagina.Initially it is cloudy,white or yellow and has a sticky consistency.Since this mucus has very little moisture the vaginal area feels dry or some of you might term it as sticky.Once you start experiencing this type of mucus pattern you should realize that you may be fertile as your ovulation is approaching.
3. Just before and at the time of ovulation the mucus becomes more copious,clear and slippery,resembling the white of a raw egg , and it can be stretched slowly between two fingers.The vagina and vulva  feel moist or wet.This persists for about 3 days.These are called "wet days".The last day of wet mucus is called the "pick day". These days mark the peak of fertility.
4. Following the wet days , the mucus again becomes scanty,cloudy and sticky , and your vagina will again feel dry.This is post ovulatory phase which will persist till next menstruation.

As you are well aware by now about what your mucus pattern will be you should start checking your discharge at the vagina. If necessary by putting a finger inside your vagina or wiping the discharge with a tissue and note its amount , stickiness and consistency. You should make observations at a place and time convenient to you,and make the habit of writing it down.It will be even better if you can plot it on a chart. The peak mucus day and vaginal sensations should be carefully recorded.

Safe time for intercourse:

Intercourse can be done during menstruation and also during the dry days .You should abstain yourself from having intercourse as soon as the 1st sign of mucus appears in the pre ovulatory phase and also during the wet days in the ovulatory days and for 3 days after the peak mucus day.Beginning with the 4th day after your mucus discharge abates you can have unprotected intercourse till next menstruation.

Draw  back of this method

1. Not suitable for those with abnormal vaginal discharge.
2. Uncomfortable as few of you finds touching their own vagina awkward.

4.Symptothermal Method

This is the best method when it comes to pin pointing the fertile period . as it does so with greater precision and reliability. It takes into account the results of BBT,cervical mucus changes(Billing Method) and of other menifestations of the fertile period such as Mid cycle pain,mid cycle light vaginal bleeding/spotting,and breast tenderness. These observations are noted in a symtothermal chart(If i am able to upload the chart you will be able to see it along with my blog.But i am unable to upload any pictures.Plz bare with me and teach me if you can.) The practice of intercourse is same as Billing Method.

Advantage of Natural Family planning Methods

1. As the name implies its natural so no harm from any kind of chemicals,hormones
2. Your natural menstruation is not affected.
3. The best part---There is no cost its free,just need a little planning and understanding.
4. It may actually improve your marital harmony as it involves the man"s co operation.
5. Its morally and culturally acceptable in any society where other methods of contraception are not acceptable.
6. Once you learn it properly NFP does not need any follow up or supply of contraceptives.
7. NFP can be used both for avoiding pregnancy or achieve it when desired.

Disadvantages

1. You need proper training by an expert atleast for initial 3 months.
2. commitment,motivation and co operation of both partners are essential.
3. It could be bothersome for you as you need to manage those records and charts daily.
4. The worst part -- effectiveness is less than that of some modern contraceptives.

Who can not use NFP

1. If you have very irregular cycles with cycles shorter than 21 days.
2. During adolescence , pre menopause and lactation
3. If you have had cervical surgery such as cautery,conisation or amputation
4. If you have vaginal infection ( till you get cured of it )
5. If you have sexually transmited disorder((STD) or Pelvic inflammatory disorder(PID) in the last 3 months.
6. If you had abortion recently.
7. If your husband is not so co operative
8. If you practice casual sex.

2.Lactational Amenorrhea Method:

                         Its based on the fact that when you have delivered the baby and is exclusively breast feeding him you are most likely to be infertile atleast till your baby is 6 months old.Exclusive breast feeding means feeding in day as well as night time with no food supplement of any sort. 

                         The anti fertility effect of lactation depend mostly upon the frequency and distribution of nursing episodes throughout the day and night and also the time the baby spends sucking the breast.You will remain infertile for a longer period if you breast feed your baby more at night.

Who can not use LAM

1. When your baby is 6 months old or more.
2. If you for any reason can not exclusively breastfeed your baby.
3. You start having menstruation( bleeding for at least 2 days following 8 weeks after child birth)
4.  If you are having some medicines such as mood altering drugs,reserpine,antimetabolites,cortisone,radioactive drugs,cyclosporine and anti coagulant.
5. If you have viral hepatitis.
6. If you have HIV/AIDS

3.Withdrawal Method

Its basically means discharge of semen outside vagina at the end of intercourse.It need great motivation and self control of your partner.

4.Minor Methods

     These methods are neither practical nor advisable. I will just mention the names as part of history.These are

• Abstinence---where you don"t have sex at all
• Vaginal Douching--where people use to flush their vagina with all kind of fluid after intercourse.
• Masturbation
• Abnormal sex acts

These minor methods should not be practiced as they are impractical other than abstinence.I hope i have given you a fair idea rather than confusing regarding what you can do your self to prevent being pregnant. plz let me know if it had helped you till than practice safe sex.