How does rhythm method work

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Overview The rhythm method, also called the calendar method or the calendar rhythm method, is a form of natural family planning. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Hatcher RA, et al. Fertility awareness-based methods. In: Contraceptive Technology. Ayer Company Publishers; Jennings V. Thus, she must avoid unprotected sex from day 9 through day 20 of her cycle. Previous Next Page. Before relying on this method, a woman records the number of days in each menstrual cycle for at least 6 months.

The woman subtracts 18 from the length of her shortest recorded cycle. During ovulation, however, your cervical mucus changes. This could mean that pregnancy is possible. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What is the Rhythm Method?

Using the Rhythm Method to Help You Conceive Most women today use the rhythm method in order to get pregnant, not to prevent a pregnancy, says Sopata. Abstinence means completely avoiding sex — the only percent effective way to prevent pregnancy. But many couples practice periodic abstinence as birth control , meaning they abstain from sex during the time when the woman is fertile.

So the trick comes knowing exactly when you're going to ovulate. Related: Pregnancy Dos and Don'ts. For the rhythm method to be effective, not only does a couple need to practice abstinence when the woman ovulates, they have to continue to do so for several days before and after. Because even though eggs don't stay in the reproductive tract very long, sperm do. So if sperm is sitting in the reproductive tract waiting for that egg to come down, she says, a woman can still get pregnant even if she had sex several days before ovulation.

When done correctly, the rhythm method can be very effective.