Contraception by Rhythm Method: Pros, Cons and Ovulation Predictors

With the varied options for contraception on the market, women often struggle with the decision in terms of which contraception is best. From the Pill to female condoms to abstinence, the ways in which to prevent pregnancy can, at times, be overwhelming.

For women who desire a natural method in which to prevent pregnancy, the use of the rhythm method is quite common. While there is a high risk for pregnancy with the rhythm method, women who choose this contraceptive option feel they are placing themselves at a lower risk for developing other health complications.

So, what is the rhythm method? Also referred to as the calendar rhythm method, this form of contraception involves the management and monitoring of personal fertility signals. Because a woman's body provides specific indicators as to when the peak periods of fertility may be, the rhythm method requires that a woman be well versed in those methods.

Under the rhythm method theory, a woman has a span of approximately 10 days each month in which she is fertile. Typically, this 10 day period of fertility falls in the middle of the menstrual cycle. When this fertility period occurs, the estrogen levels increase, women become markedly more tired especially in the afternoon hours, may suffer from insomnia, and vaginal secretions often change. To understand this form of contraception, a healthcare professional should conduct an examination, test for regulating hormones and then provide a detailed summary of the most effective use of the rhythm method.

The disadvantage to the rhythm method involves the inaccurate calculation of fertility. For women who experience abnormal menstrual cycles, the 10 day period of fertility can be easily misjudged. As a result, if you are considering the rhythm method, and your menstrual cycles are not the traditional 23 to 28 day span, it may be necessary to track and monitor the fertility period for up to 14 days. Again, this can be further assessed by a healthcare professional, such as a gynecologist, through physical examination and lab work.