Patient's question:
Is it safe to have sex during a safe period?Doctor's answer:
Safe period contraception refers to avoiding sexual intercourse during the fertile window (the period around ovulation when pregnancy is most likely) without using any contraception methods or undergoing surgery, in order to achieve the purpose of contraception.Women in their fertile period typically ovulate around the middle of their menstrual cycle, which is known as the ovulation period. After the egg is released, it can be fertilized within 24 hours. Sperm can survive for 1 to 3 days after entering the female reproductive tract if they acquire the ability to fertilize (capacitation) in healthy cervical mucus. If the average menstrual cycle is 28 days, ovulation usually occurs 14 days before the next period. By accurately determining the ovulation time, avoiding sexual intercourse during the high-risk fertility window (5 days before ovulation and one week after) and engaging in intercourse outside this period without restriction can achieve contraception, which is known as safe period contraception.
Women in their fertile period should learn to master the following key points regarding ovulation:
(1) Keep a menstrual diary to track the ovulation period: Start recording from the first day of menstruation and continue for three months. This way, you can determine your menstrual cycle length (the time between two periods), the duration of each period, and thus identify the ovulation period between two menstrual cycles. Avoiding sexual intercourse during the high-risk fertility window before and after ovulation can achieve contraception.
(2) Basal body temperature measurement: Basal body temperature (BBT), also known as resting body temperature, refers to the body temperature after 6–8 hours of complete rest. Before going to bed, shake the thermometer to below 35°C and place it beside the pillow. Upon waking, do not speak, get out of bed, or drink water. Place the thermometer under your tongue to measure the temperature, then record it in a table. Women in their fertile period should...