Natural Contraceptives

If you want to prevent pregnancy, you are going to need the help of natural contraceptives. When most people think about contraceptives, they only think about condoms or hormonal birth control. But there are other ways, you don’t need to rely on foreign objects or drugs to prevent pregnancy.     

Abstinence. Abstinence is the only natural contraceptive method that is 100% effective in the prevention of pregnancy and the transmission of STDs. It is a choice that must be voluntarily made to refrain from sexual intercourse.     

Withdrawal method. The withdrawal method requires the male partner to withdraw before ejaculation. This natural contraceptive is not considered especially effective; according to the American Pregnancy Association, the withdrawal method carries an 18-19% failure rate. The female partner can still get pregnant from the pre-ejaculatory emissions. Unfortunately, this form of contraceptive does not prevent against the transmission of STDs.     

Standard day method. This natural method of birth control will help a woman figure out the fertile days of her cycle; when she is most likely to get pregnant. This method works solely on the fact that most women have a 28-day cycle and ovulate on day fourteen. Women using this method must keep careful track of their cycle using a calendar and the knowledge that they should refrain from sex days eight through nineteen. This is another natural contraceptive that will not prevent an individual from the transmission of an STD.

Outercourse. Outercourse is another natural contraceptive that can prevent pregnancy. It includes any type of sexual activity without vaginal intercourse such as kissing, erotic massage, manual stimulation, masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex. This natural contraceptive will not fully protect against STDs.     

Continuous breast feeding (Lactational Amenorrhea Method). This method can postpone ovulation for up to six months after a woman gives birth. LAM will work as long as a woman is not supplementing her baby with any other food and her menstruation cycle has not yet returned. It works because the hormone required to stimulate milk production prevents the hormone in a woman that will trigger ovulation.