Patient's question:
Is the safe period method of contraception really safe? How can the safe period be predicted?Doctor's answer:
Hello: The safe period is not absolutely safe and there is still a possibility of pregnancy. Normal sexual intercourse can also lead to pregnancy. If you do not want to get pregnant prematurely, it is necessary to take contraceptive measures.The method of calculating ovulation based on the menstrual cycle is also known as the calendar method. Both menstruation and ovulation are influenced by the endocrine hormones of the pituitary gland and ovaries, exhibiting cyclical changes. The lengths of both cycles are consistent, with each lasting one month. Ovulation occurs between two menstrual periods. While women's menstrual cycles can vary in length, the interval between the day of ovulation and the start of the next menstrual period is relatively fixed, usually around 14 days. Based on this relationship between ovulation and menstruation, the ovulation period can be calculated according to the menstrual cycle. The calculation method starts from the first day of the next menstrual period and counts backward 14 days or subtracts 14 days to determine the ovulation day. The ovulation day, along with the 5 days before it and the 4 days after it, together constitute the ovulation period. This is the theoretical basis for the safe period. For example, a woman with a 28-day menstrual cycle has her first day of her current period on December 2. Her next menstrual period will then occur on December 30 (December 2 plus 28 days). Subtracting 14 days from December 30 gives December 16 as the ovulation day. The ovulation period, which includes the 5 days before and 4 days after the ovulation day, is from December 11 to December 20. Except for the menstrual period and ovulation period, all other times are considered the safe period.