Introduction
The calendar method of birth control, also known as the rhythm method, is a form of natural family planning which involves tracking a woman’s menstrual cycle in order to prevent pregnancy. The method works by identifying the days when a woman is likely to be most fertile and avoiding sexual intercourse during those days. It is one of the oldest forms of contraception, and has been used for centuries (Benedict & Kirchner, 2016).
How It Works
The calendar method of birth control relies on a woman tracking the length of her menstrual cycle in order to determine when she is most likely to be fertile. The most fertile days of a woman’s cycle are usually the days immediately before and after ovulation, when an egg is released from the ovary and available to be fertilized (Curtis & Loeb, 2017). To use the calendar method, a woman must keep track of her menstrual cycle for at least 6 consecutive months, recording the length of each cycle (usually the number of days between the first day of one period and the first day of the next). She can then use this information to identify the days when she is most likely to be fertile.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of the calendar method of birth control depends on the regularity of a woman’s menstrual cycle. If a woman’s cycle is longer or shorter than the average 28-day cycle, or if it varies from month to month, the method may be less effective (Benedict & Kirchner, 2016). In addition, the method is only effective if a woman is able to accurately identify her most fertile days and avoid sexual intercourse during those days. Studies have shown that, when used correctly, the calendar method is 70-80% effective in avoiding pregnancy (Curtis & Loeb, 2017).
Conclusion
The calendar method of birth control is a form of natural family planning which involves tracking a woman’s menstrual cycle in order to identify her most fertile days and avoid sexual intercourse during those days. The method is one of the oldest forms of contraception, and can be 70-80% effective when used correctly. However, it may be less effective if a woman’s cycle is irregular or if she is unable to accurately identify her most fertile days.
References
Benedict, C. & Kirchner, L. (2016). Natural family planning: A review of methods and effects. Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 7, 1-7.
Curtis, K. & Loeb, T. (2017). Natural family planning. American Family Physician, 96, 590-595.