Abstinence & Natural Birth Control Methods

Abstinence has been utilized for thousands of years as a form of birth control. Abstinence means abstaining from vaginal intercourse and intimate sex without intercourse can provide great fulfillment.

Abstinence from other behaviors may be required for protection from the risk of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Fertility awareness methods of birth control require a relatively stable ovulation cycle relying on the identification of a woman's fertile and infertile days to accurately determine her cycle by charting her body temperature and mucous discharge on a daily basis. Consistent and accurate records have to be kept especially when ovulation and periods occur. Natural Family Planning users do not have intercourse during fertile time unless pregnancy is desired. Any unpredictable irregularity in the cycle can carry the risk of pregnancy. For more information you may like to read a good book about natural birth control and getting pregnant.

Ovulation and fertility kits.

This works well for some couples, but needs to be properly taught and scrupulously followed.

Advantages	Disadvantages
no major health concerns	temperature and mucus must be checked every day
helpful in planning pregnancy	difficult for women with irregular cycles
no prescription needed	stress, illness, lack of sleep douches or vaginal infection can affect fertility indicators and body temperature
	difficult to abstain from intercourse during fertile periods

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The Ovulation Testing Pack

The Ovulation Testing Pack is a completely new method of natural family planning which allows you to enjoy lovemaking without using any contraceptives on most days of your cycle. The pack includes a personal monitor that checks and analyses your urine samples to indicate on which days of the month you are likely to get pregnant. Contraceptives should be used on the fertile days if you wish to make love.

Advantages	Disadvantages
no major health concerns	difficult to abstain from intercourse during fertile periods
helpful in planning pregnancy
very easy to use
93-95 per cent reliable

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The Rhythm Method

Couples who use the rhythm ("safe time") method abstain from intercourse or use another form of birth control during the fertile time in the woman's menstrual cycle.

Advantages	Disadvantages
no major health concerns	difficult to abstain from intercourse during fertile periods
	method can fail because it is possible for a woman to ovulate at any time during her cycle, including while she is menstruating

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Coitus Interruptus (Withdrawal)

Coitus interruptus (withdrawal) is a well used contraceptive technique. With this method intercourse takes place until ejaculation is about to occur, at which point the male pulls his penis out of the vagina before he ejaculates (comes) to keep sperm from joining the egg. The problem is that there are often sperm present in the little dribble of semen that escapes from most men prior to ejaculation so it cannot be guaranteed as a method of contraception.

This method requires a high level of trust and cooperation and couples may find it unsatisfying to use. Withdrawing before ejaculation is better than using no method at all but this method is definitely not to be recommended.

Advantages	Disadvantages
is acceptable to most religious groups	the male may fail to withdraw or may not withdraw fast enough to prevent sperm from being released
	strong self control is needed
	before ejaculation, almost all penises leak fluid that can cause pregnancy.
	does not eliminate transmission of HIV and other STDs
	some men cannot tell when they are going to ejaculate
	some men ejaculate very quickly, before they realize it
	extremely unreliable as a method of birth control

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Douching

Douching after intercourse is not an effective form of birth control, because some sperm may reach a woman's uterus almost immediately after ejaculation. In addition, douching may push sperm toward the uterus and increase the likelihood of pregnancy.