Woman's Life | Blog | Natural contraception
Natural contraception you can control
Pregnancy can be prevented with natural contraception. There are different methods for this. Whether it's a condom, diaphragm, copper chain, contraceptive coil, cervical cap, or ovulation thermometer to help you identify fertile and infertile days, each method is an alternative to the pill.
Content overview:
- But what is the most reliable natural method of contraception?
- Natural contraception with condoms and diaphragm
- What else should you know about natural contraception methods?
- Symptothermal method: Accurately determine your fertile and non-fertile days
But what is the most reliable natural method of contraception?
Every woman knows it and many take it: The pill is a hormonal contraception that's easy to manage and reliable. But because of the oestrogen it contains and the associated risk of thrombosis, you should consider a change to natural contraception from around the age of 35. Hormonal contraception can also alleviate cycle discomfort or delay menstrual bleeding if taken in an adapted manner.
Alternatively, with the mini pill, you can expect lighter, shorter and less painful periods altogether. However, the mini pill will only provide you with safe contraception if you take it strictly according to schedule, every day at the same time.
A representative study conducted by the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) in 2019 showed that around 47% of adult, sexually active women between the ages of 18 and 49 use pills for contraception. Around 46% use condoms for contraception. (BZgA, 2019).
Natural contraception with condoms
The condom is one of the oldest forms of contraception and not only protects against pregnancy but also against infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and chlamydia. After the pill, the condom is now the second most commonly used contraceptive.
The rubber protector is pulled over the erected penis before intercourse and catches the ejaculation during orgasm, which therefore cannot reach the vagina. When used correctly, the condom is a reliable form of contraception. Keep in mind that contraception does not improve when other contraceptives such as gel or vaginal suppositories are used at the same time. Therefore, ensure good quality and the "CE" mark when purchasing condoms.
Condom contraception has a Pearl Index of 4-5. This means that the chance of a woman conceiving even with the use of a condom is around 4-5 in 100. The higher the Pearl Index, the lower the reliability of the contraceptive (cf. Hoffbauer, 2005, p. 76).
Hormone-free contraception with diaphragm
Another rubber-like, hormone-free contraceptive is the diaphragm. Perhaps you know of the round or oval silicone dome and have already used one? It is not as easy to use as a condom, as the diaphragm must be placed in the correct position in the vagina to be effective. In addition, a protective gel is used, which reduces the pH value of the vagina on the basis of lactic acid. Before using the natural contraceptive, you should do some kind of 'drying exercise'.
The diaphragm is available in different sizes, as are condoms, and requires some practice for correct positioning. The use of the cervical cup requires just as much practice. There is only one available in Germany: FemCap®. The dome, which is curved inwards and has a wide rim, is inserted into the vagina and placed directly over the cervix as a barrier against sperm contact. This method of contraception can also only be used in combination with a gel. The Pearl index of the diaphragm is specified between 2 and 4, with the cervical cup the index is 7 higher (cf. Hoffbauer, 2005a, p. 76).
In addition to correct use, always pay attention to the expiration date for all products! Expired products can compromise or even prevent the effectiveness of the contraceptive.
What else should you know about natural contraception methods?
All the contraceptives mentioned above are available in most commercial stores. Always be sure you have enough to hand. Their use can be complicated and practice is always recommended. But there are also methods of contraception where your body awareness plays a major role.
A somewhat uncertain option with a Pearl index between 15 and 32 is the Billings method, in which you check the cervical mucus from the cervix (cf. Hoffbauer, 2005b, p. 76). Every day, remove the slime and rub it between your thumb and index finger. Consistency tells you if you're in the fertile or non-fertile phase. Before ovulation, the vagina feels rather dry and the cervical mucus is sticky and milky and cloudy. In the days before ovulation, the consistency of the mucus changes and it becomes thin-bodied, crystal-clear or filamentous. You are in the fertile phase. Within a short time, the cervical mucus becomes cloudy and tough again and then disappears completely.
However, drugs and diseases can also influence fertility, making the Billings method, somewhat unreliable.
Symptothermal method: Accurately determine your fertile and non-fertile days
A method of conception control is the symptothermal method. This consists of three parts: temperature measurement, cervical mucus assessment and calendar method. For temperature measurement, it is important that you have slept for at least five hours and measure your temperature at the same time every morning.
You can even use the OT 30 Bluetooth® ovulation thermometer in conjunction with the "Ovy" cycle app, which transfers your measurements within three minutes via Bluetooth®. The OT 20 ovulation thermometer is a good option if you do not want to store your measurements digitally. Both thermometers measure precisely and accurately at ±0.05°C and are suitable for oral and vaginal measurement for cycle control and targeted family planning.
During the first half of your cycle, your wake-up temperature is relatively constant and in the low range. You will then have the lowest body temperature when you ovulate. Due to the increase in the hormone progesterone, your body temperature increases by about 0.2 to 0.5 degrees. Your non-fertile period will be identifiable by increased temperature from the third day until menstruation.
In combination with the natural contraception methods, you can also use the assessment of cervical mucus (Billings method) as described. You can document your cycle in parallel using the "Knaus-Ogino" calendar method. You can use this to estimate your fertile time. Not every cycle is the same length. Therefore, deduct exactly 18 days from the shortest cycle and 11 days from the longest cycle. With the estimated result, you can define the first and last fertile day of your monthly cycle.
The Pearl index of the symptothermal method is 0.8 (cf. Hoffbauer, 2005c, p. 76). This natural contraception completely eliminates artificial hormones and provides you with a high level of body awareness. However, keep in mind that certain factors can also affect your cycle and thus your body temperature. Whether sleep duration, medication or climate change; your body can react. Menopause also often disturbs the hormonal balance. Ovulation may not occur during this time and the symptothermal method is then only suitable to a limited extent.
Every natural form of contraception has its advantages and disadvantages. Some methods also need time and practice. In addition to the Pearl Index of the options availble, the signals of your body are just as important.
Sources:
- Federal Office for Health Education (ed.) (2019). New BZgA study data: Adult contraceptive behaviour. Press release from 19.09.2019 of the BZgA. https://www.bzga.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF/pressemitteilungen/2019/19_09_19_PM_Studie_Verhuetungsverhalten_190919_Final.pdf (21.09.2022)
- Hoffbauer, G.; (2005). Familienplanung und Kontrazeption. Gerne Frau! Mein Körper - meine Gesundheit. Heidelberg: Springer.
- Hoffbauer, G.; (2005a). Familienplanung und Kontrazeption. Gerne Frau! Mein Körper - meine Gesundheit. Heidelberg: Springer.
- Hoffbauer, G.; (2005b). Familienplanung und Kontrazeption. Gerne Frau! Mein Körper - meine Gesundheit. Heidelberg: Springer.
- Hoffbauer, G.; (2005c). Familienplanung und Kontrazeption. Gerne Frau! Mein Körper - meine Gesundheit. Heidelberg: Springer.
