Patient's question:
Is it safe to use the safe period method for female contraception?Doctor's answer:
Hello: Fertility awareness-based contraception refers to avoiding sexual intercourse during the fertile window (the period around ovulation when pregnancy is most likely) without using any other contraception methods or undergoing surgery, with the goal of preventing pregnancy.Women in their fertile period typically ovulate around the middle of their menstrual cycle, which is called the ovulation period. After the egg is released, it can be fertilized within 24 hours. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for 1 to 3 days if they gain the ability to fertilize (capacitate) in healthy cervical mucus. If the average menstrual cycle is 28 days, ovulation usually occurs 14 days before the next period. By accurately identifying the ovulation date, avoiding sexual intercourse during the high-risk fertile window (5 days before ovulation and 1 week after) while having unprotected sex outside this period can achieve contraception, which is known as the safe period method.
Women in their fertile period should learn to master the following key points regarding ovulation:
(1) Keep a menstrual diary to track ovulation: Start recording from the first day of your period and continue for three months. This will help you determine the length of your menstrual cycle (the time between two periods), the duration of each period, and thus identify your ovulation period. Avoiding sexual intercourse during the high-risk fertile window before and after ovulation can achieve contraception.
(2) Basal body temperature (BBT) method: 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 down to below 35°C and place it beside your pillow. Upon waking, do not speak, get out of bed, or drink anything. Place the thermometer under your tongue to measure your temperature.