RHYTHM METHOD OR SAFE PERIOD
Certain days of woman menstrual cycle are relatively infertile or safe and the limitation of coitus to these days is the basis of safe period or rhythm method.
These safe days may be calculated by
A) Basal metabolic temperature
In women ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before the next menstrual period and the shed of ovum can survive for only 24 hours unless it’s fertilized
ovulation is followed by rise of body temperatures which is maintained for 4 8hrs rise of temperature must be recorded every morning before taking any hot drink or food special thermometers are used for these but also the clinical thermometers can do due to higher temperatures couple should avoid sexual intercourse in these period for up to three days until the temperature is at a normal range
B) Calendar method
Charting Your Pattern
For a woman to find out the unsafe period she should note the days of her shortest cycle.For e.g. 27 days.Subtract 18 from the total number.I.e. 27 – 18 = 9 That’s the day she is likely to be fertile and she should definitely start using contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancy.Example lets take the longest cycle,Say for e.g. 32Subtract 11 from that number i.e. 32 – 11 = 21This is the last day of her unsafe period.So, in summary, a woman having a shortest cycle of 27 days and a longest cycle of 32 days for the last 6 – 8 cycles, the probable unsafe period is between day 9 to day 21 of her cycle, throughout.I.e. it is safe to have unprotected sex between 0 – 8 days and between day 22 – till menses (safe time)
warning
If all your cycles are shorter than 27 days, don’t try to use calendar estimates at all.
