Natural methods (Rhythm method or safe period)

These methods involve using some means of finding out when you are at your most fertile, so that you can be extra careful or avoid sex altogether at these times.

There are a number of things you can do and ideally it's best to use a combination of them all. You could:

• Keep a daily record of your body temperature using a special fertility thermometer
• Look for changes in the stickiness of the mucus around the entrance to the womb 
• Calculate when ovulation is most likely to take place by counting the number of days from your last period (this only works if your periods are regular) 
• Look for other signs such as mood changes and breast tenderness which tend to happen in the second half of your menstrual cycle (measured from the start of one period to the beginning of the next)

To take all the steps above, you need to be highly motivated and well taught. Consult your doctor or nurse first or get good advice from a family planning clinic. Natural methods of contraception are less reliable than barrier or hormonal methods of contraception and there is always the risk of pregnancy.

How effective is natural contraception compared to other methods


Personal contraceptive computer

This is a small, computerised hand-held monitor with urine test sticks which you can buy in the pharmacy. The sticks measure hormonal changes in the body. The system can help you to work out when your fertile and infertile times of the month are. This method needs commitment and motivation, and it can be expensive. If you don't want to get pregnant you have to avoid sex or use an alternative method of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm/cap) during your fertile time.