Hello Iwantoknow,
You didn?t ask for a lecture, so I won?t deliver one, but, the bad
news is -- there is no 100% safe time to have unprotected sex. The
?method? you are using is called the Rhythm method, and it is rather
precarious, not to mention the risk of sexually transmitted disease.
According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, here are your odds:
?What are the chances of getting pregnant while using the rhythm method?
? Typical use: 25%
? Perfect use: 1-9%?
Notice with PERFECTLY CONSTANT use of this method, you have a 1-9%
chance of creating a baby. If you use it as this method is typically
used, you have a 25% chance of becoming parents.
?Disadvantages to using the rhythm method?
? Some people find the time and attention required to keep the charts
is a bother, or have schedules that are too unpredictable to take
their temperature regularly.
? You must keep at least two months of charts before you begin to use
this method of birth control.?
http://www.pamf.org/teen/sex/birthcontrol/rhythmmethod.html
?The effectiveness of the rhythm method depends on how meticulously it
is practiced. It also depends on the predictability of periods and
consequently the ovulation period. In ideal circumstances the rhythm
method could be 92% effective. This requires training and adherence to
the guidelines of the rhythm method, which does not always occur.
Therefore, for typical users the rhythm method is less than 87%
effective.?
?The rhythm method does not protect against STDs and is by no means a
flawless method of birth control. A woman must have regular periods
for the rhythm method to work, and many women do not. Another major
limitation is that even if periods seem regular, a one-time change in
the timing of ovulation can alter the expected days of infertility. If
that is so, a woman may be having unprotected sex during a time when
she can become pregnant.?
http://www.sexinfo101.com/bc_rhythm.shtml
?Furthermore, sperm can live in the body for up to 7 days, and
therefore, practicing a natural method perfectly means that you will
have to abstain from sex for 10 days or more during every menstrual
cycle. The benefit of the rhythm method, however, is that if you're
trying to get pregnant, you'll know exactly when you should do the
deed.?
http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/minis/mini/bcontrolMINI/bcontrolMINI8.html
There?s a good table showing the most fertile days here:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-fertility-chart.xml#1102962671441::6959755604319388250
?The first phase is the first infertile phase, or the first safe
period when the woman is unlikely to fall pregnant. This starts on the
first day of the woman's period and ends on the earliest date from
which sperm could survive long enough to fertilize the egg. This first
safe period is short because sperm can survive for up to seven days
after intercourse and a woman may ovulate early. Therefore,
unprotected intercourse during this first phase may result in
pregnancy.?
?The fertile phase lasts from the end of the first phase until 24
hours after ovulation.
The second infertile phase or safe period when a woman is less likely
to fall pregnant is more predictable than the first phase. This phase
lasts from the end of the fertile phase until the beginning of the
woman's next period.?
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/naturalfamilyplanning.htm
?Pinpointing the precise day when ovulation should occur is a bit of a
challenge. The easiest, but least precise, way to predict this is to
chart your menstrual cycle on a calendar. Remember, a woman's cycle
begins on the first day of her period and typically lasts about 28
days. The first day begins not when a woman is spotting, but when she
experiences regular flow.
Once it is known how many days a woman's cycle generally is, subtract
14 days from the predicted end of the cycle to determine time of
ovulation?
http://www.fertilitylifelines.com/fertilityhealth/intercourse.jsp
?FERTILE: The time during a month that a woman can become pregnant. It
is usually a period of eight days during her menstrual cycle. Up to
five days before ovulation (because sperm can live this long inside
the body)?
?The fertile time (ie. When you are most likely to become pregnant)
lasts for about 8 or 9 days of each menstrual cycle. This is because
female eggs only live for 24 hours when produced and sperm can live up
to 7 days?
http://en.mimi.hu/sexuality/fertile.html
?Most couples today plan intercourse around days 11-14 of the woman's
28-day cycle. If a woman has irregular cycles and is not sure when she
ovulates, she usually goes to a pharmacy and buys an ovulation
predictor kit. These test LH in the urine and are very accurate. If
you are willing to take some extra steps, you can monitor two body
functions to pinpoint your most fertile times, maximizing your chances
of getting pregnant.?
http://health.allrefer.com/health/pregnancy-identifying-fertile-days-info.html
?Based upon her 12 previous menstrual cycles, a woman subtracts l8
days from her shortest menstrual cycle to determine her first fertile
day and 11 days from her longest menstrual cycle to determine her last
fertile day. She can then calculate the total number of days during
which she may ovulate. If a woman's menstrual cycles are quite
irregular from month to month, there will be a greater number of days
during which she might become pregnant. The calendar method is only
about 80% effective in preventing pregnancy and when used alone is
considered outdated.?
http://www.medicinenet.com/birth_control/page11.htm#tocr
?The few days leading up to ovulation are considered the most fertile
in a woman?s cycle. This is because sperm can survive for up to seven
days in a woman?s body (on average they live for 3 days). If a woman
has sex or insemination during the six or seven days before she
ovulates, it is likely that the sperm will still be around by the time
her egg is released.?
?One or two days after ovulation are also considered fertile days
because a woman?s egg can live for about 20 hours after ovulation. If
two eggs have matured, the second will be released within 24 hours of
the first. From a few days after ovulation until her next bleed, a
woman is generally not fertile.?
http://www.womenshealthlondon.org.uk/leaflets/cycle/cycle.html
Additional Information:
=======================
Software to track fertility
http://www.menstruation.com.au/menstrualproducts/hormonalforecaster.html
More on ovulation
http://www.ovulation-calendar.com/hlp-d02-ovulation-and-pregnancy.html
I think you?re beginning to see that this is a very risky form of
contraception. Unless you are prepared to become parents, I would
suggest a more standard and reliable form of birth control You can
get free advice at a Planned Parenthood clinic about the best form of
birth control for you and your girlfriend. If a friend of mine asked
this same question, I would have to advise against your method, and
rely on a birth control method with a better success rate.
I hope this has helped you out. Please do not rate this answer until
you are satisfied. If any part of my answer is unclear, simply request
an Answer Clarification. I will be happy to assist you further, before
you rate.
Sincerely, Crabcakes
Search Terms
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Most fertile + women?s cycle
Least fertile time of month + women
Rhythm method + birth control |
