Introduction
Within the sexual and contraceptive scenario, not only the pill, the transdermal patch, the vaginal ring, the condom and the IUD spiral stand out: the woman, listening to her body and interpreting the signals that the organism sends her, could prevent unwanted pregnancies using natural contraceptive methods.
Ogino-Knaus method, interrupted coitus, basal temperature method, symptothermal system and Billings method: these are the protagonists of natural contraception.
Ogino-knaus method
Among the very first natural contraceptive methods used throughout history, we recall Ogino-Knaus (or calendar method): a natural contraceptive practice highly contested by gynecologists, since it provides a particularly low contraceptive guarantee.
More than talking about the natural contraceptive method, Ogino-Knaus should be considered from the opposite point of view: in other words this method is a good practice to understand which are the potentially fertile days of the woman. When a couple wishes to have a child, the Ogino-knaus practice appears very useful.
Coitus interrupted
Among the natural contraceptive methods, admitted by the Church, the interrupted coitus also stands out, which consists in the immediate and timely interruption of sexual intercourse a few moments before ejaculation: in this contraceptive practice (only apparently safe), the man avoids that the sperm enters the vagina. The man, evidently, must have an "excellent command of his own body, to stop himself" at the right moment ": at first glance, the method appears infallible, in reality, however, it is not so. Just think statistics: it is estimated that interrupted coitus generates unwanted pregnancy in 10-18% of cases.
It is not enough that the man takes into account his self-control and his experience in the sexual field: it is possible, in fact, a small unconscious loss of seminal fluid before the actual ejaculation, sufficient in spite of himself to fertilize the egg.
It is also estimated that men who practice this natural method are more at risk of prostatitis and varicocele.
Basal temperature method
As it is known, the basal temperature of the woman is not constant: it tends to be lower at the beginning of the cycle, and then increases by 0.5 / 0.6 degrees centigrade during ovulation; subsequently, the basal temperature tends to decrease again, to prepare for the next menstruation. The most fruitful period for the woman begins 3 days before the basal temperature rise and ends 3 days after: in case the woman wants to avoid pregnancy, she should abstain from intercourse during this period.
Women who take advantage of natural contraception appear to be very attentive to the signals that the body sends them and among these the evaluation of the basal temperature, whose fluctuations are stimulated by progesterone, also stands out.
The main problem is that the body temperature is influenced by many factors, such as stress, nutritional status, environmental factors, etc., which could deceive the woman and generate temperature fluctuations very similar to those of the ovulatory period.The control of the basal temperature is not a reliable natural method of contraception: in this regard, it is often associated with the evaluation of cervical mucus (Billings method).
Assessment of basal temperature and cervical mucus is known as a symptothermal method.
Billings method
As mentioned above, the Billings method is another natural contraceptive practice that requires the study of one's own body: more specifically, it is based on the recognition of ovulation by carefully observing and studying the characteristics of the cervical mucus. If the mucus is particularly filamentous and abundant, in all likelihood the woman is in the ovulatory phase, when her body is more predisposed to conception (generally, in women who do not have menstrual irregularities, ovulation coincides with half Therefore, when the woman recognizes that particular signal sent by the organism, the couple should abstain from intercourse to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
Risks of natural contraception
Inevitably, the risk of failure of natural contraceptive methods far exceeds that of hormonal methods (vaginal ring, transdermal patch, pill, hormonal coil) and barrier (condom): the result can be an unwanted child or a deliberately terminated pregnancy, not to mention the significant psychological repercussions.
Furthermore, abstaining from intercourse precisely at the moment of maximum sexual desire for the woman, which coincides with ovulation, is anything but natural.
The doubts that arise in the female mentality following a “naturally protected” relationship could generate anxieties, fears and stress, reflecting not only within the sexual sphere, but also in the simple interpersonal relationship. A chain of psychological side effects, which could lead the woman, at times, to avoid and reject any attempt to physical approach with the partner.
For whom is natural contraception suitable?
The couple using natural contraceptive methods must be responsible and should enjoy sex life, eroticism and intimacy in a calm and peaceful way; generally, married or cohabiting couples, sexually mature men and women, may prefer these methods. , accepting in an absolutely positive way the risks that could be incurred by using only these natural practices.A child should always be welcomed with love, so if the couple is not yet "ready", it would be immature, unreasonable and senseless to take unnecessary risks.
Reflections
Until a few years ago, the Church considered the sexual act legitimate only when aimed at procreation: not that the Church's thinking has changed radically, but nowadays the Religion admits a some form of natural contraception.
It is good to point out that the right method and the wrong method do not exist (with the exception of the religious thought of the Church, of course): every couple has the right to live sexuality according to their needs, without ever neglecting the risks that could derive from a potentially risky sexual act.
Men and women are equally responsible for their actions: in this regard, you must always use your head, as the possible consequences could turn life upside down.
Natural contraception is a (relatively) valid alternative method, when used correctly: for young women, who have just opened the doors to sexuality, natural contraceptive methods are not recommended, not because they are inherently unsafe, but because they are very young people do not know their body perfectly, an absolutely essential element for consuming the sexual act in a safe and at the same time natural way.
Some couples believe natural the renunciation of complete sexual relations, when the end is different from conception, in respect of the Church, of Ethics or of Good Conduct: the abstention from relations in the name of morality is certainly not natural, on the contrary, it is against nature.
Summary
To fix the concepts ...
It represents the set of natural contraceptive methods, which DO NOT include:
- the use of slow-release hormonal devices (transdermal patch, vaginal ring, hormonal coil)
- oral administration of hormones (pill)
- the use of condoms (barrier method)
- the insertion of contraceptive devices (copper spiral)
The contraceptive practice is based on the hypothesis that the woman is potentially fertile between the 10th and the 18th day, starting the count from the first day of menstruation.
Only women with a regular cycle of 27-32 days could ideally use this method
Estimated around 9%
Immediate and timely interruption of sexual intercourse a few moments before ejaculation, in order to avoid sperm-vaginal contact
Estimated around 10-18%
Natural contraceptive method which consists in noting the woman's body temperature variations to understand which days are the most fruitful: the woman should abstain from intercourse three days before and three days after the maximum peak of body temperature.
Natural contraceptive method based on the observation of cervical mucus: when this appears particularly filamentous and dense, the woman is most likely in the ovulatory phase.
Assessment of basal temperature and cervical mucus
- the risk of failure of natural contraceptive methods is very high
- unwanted child
- deliberately interrupted pregnancy
- significant psychological repercussions
- anxieties, fears, stress
- psychological side effects that could push the woman to avoid and reject any attempt to physical approach with the partner
Married or cohabiting couples, sexually mature men and women who use natural contraceptive methods must accept the risks they may incur in an absolutely positive way, and welcome the birth of a possible child with love.
Other articles on "Natural Contraception"
- Chemical Contraceptives or Spermicides
- Contraceptives - Types of Contraceptives
- Mechanical Contraceptives - Barrier Methods
- Hormonal contraceptives
- Contraceptives D "Urgency - Morning After Pill and Spiral
- Implantable contraceptives: IUD coil and sticks
