Birth Control Alternatives

There are birth control alternatives for those people who are simply not comfortable with any birth control options, or simply not able to afford the costs of it. These people resort to the last option: the natural alternatives to contraception such as family planning and the like as birth control alternatives.

Since a woman is only fertile for 100 to 120 hours each month, couples who use natural family planning avoid sex during these times. This method is achieved by further understanding the cycle of women's fertility and understanding when is the highest possible time to get pregnant. However, these times can only be estimated, although the probability is very high and this method has been effective for many women. The examples below will discuss the different kinds of natural family planning:

1. The Calendar Rhythm Method

This method is one of the more popular birth control alternatives which is done by not having sex during the time of ovulation by using a calendar to monitor this period. Commonly, a woman's cycle is in a period of 28 days. The first day of a woman's period should be day 1 and day 29 is the first day of her next menstrual period. During this 28-day cycle, a female egg is released which travels through the fallopian tube from the ovaries to the uterus. To put it simply, if there was a sperm when the female egg is traveling to the uterus, fertilization may happen. For most women, it is on the fourteenth day when the egg is usually released. This means that a woman should try not to do sexual intercourse with a man during days 9 to 10 until days 18 to 20. This is appropriate for women with a regular cycle. However, many women of today have irregular cycles.

2. Basal Body Temperature Inspection

This is another of the birth control alternatives where women check whether they are fertile or not. This is done by checking her temperature everyday using a highly sensitive and accurate thermometer. When a woman is ovulating, her temperature is to rise very slightly. This is caused by the progesterone which is released when ovulation takes place. Therefore, a woman should take her temperature every time she wakes up in the morning. Before doing this, she should not eat or drink at least 2 hours before it is done, as it results to a slight drop or rise on her temperature. Now, as soon as a rise of 0.2 to 0.4 is spotted, she can assume that ovulation has begun and a signal that she should avoid sexual contact with any man.

3. Mucus Inspection

This is done by monitoring a woman's vaginal secretions. A woman is to produce more cervical mucus as ovulation takes place, which is her response to the release if estrogen. A woman's vagina is to excrete a larger amount of mucus similar to a raw egg white. Examining the underwear from time to time and being familiar with this mucus which stretches up to an inch when pulled apart will greatly help. She should avoid sexual intercourse 3-4 days after she notices this mucus.

These methods require some basic knowledge on the woman's fertilization process. If you want to use these birth control alternatives you must fully understand how they work so make sure you visit your primary health care provider to discuss these and other birth control options.