NATURAL CONTRACEPTIVES

METHODS TO REGULATE INFERTILITY

Natural contraceptives are the so-called abstinence methods, through which the couple can conceive or prevent the conception of a child. They are based on the recognition of the periods of fertility and infertility of the woman’s menstrual cycle and are: the Ogino Kaus method, the Basal Temperature method, and the Billings or Cervical Mucus method.

OGINO KAUS METHOD

It involves counting the number of days in the pre-ovulatory infertile phase, recording their duration for 6 menstrual cycles, and proceeding to the mathematical calculation. As the day of ovulation is the fourteenth day before the first day of menstruation plus “4 days of grace”, and subtract 18 from the number to the shortest cycle.

To find the beginning of the infertile phase, which starts after ovulation, “3 grace days” are given, i.e. 11 are subtracted from the number of days of the longest cycle. That range is the fertile period and you cannot have intercourse on these days. It is based on not having sex during the ovulation period.

It is very likely that there will be errors in the calculation of the days. Menstruation may be irregular, early or late. The possibility of error exists even in women with regular periods. There are also other factors, such as changes in the weather, nerves, stress, strong emotions, illness, can alter the normal cycle.

BASAL TEMPERATURE METHOD

It consists of recording the body temperature on charts throughout the menstrual cycle. This allows the difference in temperature – between 0.2 and 0.5 degrees C – produced by the secretion of progesterone in the ovary after ovulation to be noted. This method only diagnoses the post-ovulatory infertile phase. The results of the measurement can be influenced by stress, flu, nervous tension, infections, etcetera.

BILLINGS METHOD

It consists of paying attention to the sensation and appearance of any vaginal discharge. The method is not based on ovulation but, presumably, identifies patterns of potential fertility and infertility within the cycle. This information, it is assumed, can be used to achieve or avoid pregnancy during regular or irregular cycles. It is not effective because the consistency of cervical mucus can vary due to other causes such as infections, tension, stress, and so on.

SYNCHRONOUS METHOD

This is the use of the three natural contraceptive methods mentioned above simultaneously. The sum of them does not make it a safer method, as none of them are individually safer. Moreover, they are unprotected sexual intercourse and therefore there is no defence mechanism against venereal diseases. 

NATURAL CONTRACEPTIVE “COITUS INTERRUPTUS”

“Coitus interruptus” is a the oldest natural contraceptive method.  It is a very popular natural method, dating back to ancient times (over 2000 years ago). It consists of removing the penis from the vagina and external genitalia of a woman before ejaculation. The aim is to prevent semen from entering the vagina and thus prevent pregnancy. 

Its main cause of failure is the lack of self-control of those who use it, which can cause semen to leak into the vulva. This can easily migrate into the female reproductive tract.  In addition, the pre-ejaculatory fluid or “Cowper’s fluid” emitted by the penis prior to ejaculation contains sperm, so there is a risk of pregnancy.

The method does not offer any kind of safety because it can cause stress due to the risk of pregnancy. Not to mention that withdrawing the penis at the moment of greatest pleasure can cause dissatisfaction, especially in men.

Although its effectiveness as a contraceptive method is low, compared to other contraceptive methods, it is an option for people who have conscientious objections or who do not have access to other forms of contraception, due to its zero cost. 

However, it must be taken into account that this natural contraceptive method does not offer any protection against sexually transmitted diseases, so its use is strongly discouraged in sporadic couples and non-exclusive relationships.

WHAT IS FAMILY PLANNING

Family planning allows people to have the number of children they want and to determine the interval between pregnancies. It is achieved through the use of contraception and treatment of infertility.

The promotion of family planning, and access to preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples, is essential to achieve women’s well-being and empowerment while supporting the health and development of communities.

It allows spacing and postponement of pregnancies in young women who are most at risk of dying from premature childbearing, thereby reducing maternal mortality. It prevents unintended pregnancies, including those of older women, and the risks associated with pregnancy are higher.

It can also prevent closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies, which contribute to some of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Children whose mothers die in childbirth also have a higher risk of dying or becoming ill.                   

The risk of HIV-infected women becoming pregnant unintentionally is reduced. The result is a decrease in the number of infected and orphaned babies. In addition, male and female condoms provide dual protection: against unwanted pregnancy and against sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV.

Family planning is the key to slowing unsustainable population growth and its negative effects on the economy, the environment and national and regional development efforts.

HOW CONTRACEPTIVES SHOULD LOOK LIKE

More than half of the world’s couples practice birth control. There is widespread dissatisfaction with current methods, which often leads to inappropriate use and abandonment of protective measures, with a consequent increase in unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

The contraceptive of the future should be effective, safe, inexpensive, long-lasting, easily reversible, free of side effects and applicable at some time other than immediately preceding intercourse. 

They should also be able to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.