What are your options during the time that you are fertile in your cycle?
Are you worried about using the sympto-thermal method of fertility awareness because you still have time that you are fertile and you need to figure out protection during that time? I want to help you out with what your options are.
Using the sympto-thermal method, for the majority of the month you are not fertile and can have unprotected sex and not have to worry about getting pregnant any more than if you were using hormonal contraceptives. The thing is, you will also have an average of 9 days of “fertile time.” Don’t worry, you have options.
The beginning of the cycle
First of all, I want to mention that for a lot of women who want to be “extra careful” they will begin using one method that is less effective before they even hit their fertile period. This isn’t necessary, but for some women who absolutely do not want to get pregnant it can help them have extra peace of mind. Commonly used methods are withdrawal, diaphragm, etc. Remember, sex during this time shouldn’t lead to a pregnancy, anyway, so these less effective methods are just increasing the normal 99.6% effectiveness even higher.
Now onto the fertile phase…
Abstinence
This will provide the highest effectiveness, but is perhaps the hardest to execute. I find that many who don’t want kids at all, or who a current pregnancy would devastate, do like to abstain, though.
Doubling up
Again, this is common for those who do not want to conceive at all. You can use a condom and withdrawal, a condom and diaphragm, a condom and spermicide, etc.
One method
This is just any of your pick of barrier or other non-hormonal options. This includes condoms, diaphragm, withdrawal, spermicide, the sponge, vaginal contraceptive film, etc. When using these methods be sure you are a perfectly competent user of the method you choose. If you are not, you only will have the user effectiveness, which is often not good! For example, if you use withdrawal during your fertile phase, say sianoira to the 99.6% effectiveness and say hello to 96%. If that’s ok with you, perfect! Just remember that what you do during your fertile phase is going to affect the effectiveness.
Alternative sex
As long as you are careful about what is happening with the semen after you have sex, this is going to offer you the same effectiveness as abstinence. Yay! This can include many many things, use you imagination and explore.
Does it still sound hard? I’m hoping that you can see what kinds of options you have and how easy everything can be, even while letting yourself experience that natural fertile period.
Carol says
I needed this info. Thanks
hannahransom says
No problem, Carol, thanks for the comment!