What Is The Rhythm Method?

There are many speculations surrounding this theory, but exactly what is the rhythm method and how safe is it? The rhythm method has been used for centuries as a well-known form of birth control, but unfortunately this method is not very reliable in preventing pregnancy.

The rhythm method has been developed through a number of general assumptions. First, it’s assumed that women generally ovulate fourteen days before they begin their period. Next, studies have shown that sperm can live inside a woman for a period of three days. The last theory indicates that an egg can only be fertilized within a 24 hour block after being released from the ovaries.

According to the theories above, the rhythm method therefore require the woman to count back fourteen days from the beginning of their last period. This day will be considered the day of ovulation for the previous month. To prevent pregnancy, she will need to either abstain from sex during the same time in the current month or use a back-up form of birth control, such as the pill or condoms.

While the rhythm method seems like a solid idea, it doesn’t come without its misconceptions. The problem lies with the time of ovulation. This is because the rhythm method assumes that ovulation generally occurs at the same time each month. The reality of the theory is that most women ovulate at different times in the month and there is no proper rhyme or reason to calculate when ovulation will occur.

Besides the dangers of a missed ovulation date, the life span of sperm can also vary. While researchers believe that sperm can live up to three days in a woman’s body, there have been cases where sperm has survived for nearly seven or more days. If this is true, sex should not occur up to a week before a woman believes ovulation will occur. The rhythm method also provides no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

In reality, the rhythm method is one of the least effective forms of birth control and should not be used without a back-up. The failure rate when the rhythm method is used alone is between thirteen and twenty percent. This form of birth control should not be used by women who experience irregular periods are those who have different numbers of days within their menstrual cycle.