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Showing posts with label Methods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Methods. Show all posts

Monday, July 15, 2013

Three Most Popular Home Sale Methods

If you are already in the process of selling a house you can probably recite the three best ways to sell a house. You are well aware of them because you are going through the process right now. However if you are just beginning stages of putting your house on the market you may have some questions about the three best ways and which one is right for you. Here is some quick information on the three ways so you can make your final decision based on facts and not fiction.

Real Estate Agent/Broker- This is the most common way to deal with a real estate transaction. Because the agent is knowledgeable about real estate, they can help determine the best price, actions for a success, and even provide you with the contracts and paperwork. While this method may seem like the easiest way to sell a house that is not always the case. You are completely dependent on the agent and even if you provide a buyer, the agent will be paid. You could do more than 80% of the work, yet you still have to pay a commission to the agent who did the rest. This can seem unfair to many sellers because many times the listing price has to be lowered to be accommodating to buyers in this market. It may be necessary for you to pay the agent commission out of your own pocket or to balance the lowered price with concessions taken from the overall profit you stand to make. Not only can this feel unfair, it may not be financially possible for you at the time.

An agent is a great option when you are in another city or travel. If you cannot arrange the showings and the questions, the agent can take over and be your representative. Even if you find a buyer, the agent will arrange the showing, the paperwork, and you will feel as though they have done their job and should be paid. If you are not a people-person and do not want to work with other people, you should probably hire an agent to help you.

For Sale by Owner- This option is becoming more and more popular. With the increase in inventory, having an agent that will do their best for your property is getting harder and harder to find. They are swamped with listings but can't devote their time to each one. You may not even be able to get an agent to host an open house. You could easily do the work and use a lawyer for the contracts side of things. The cost of a lawyer for the real estate contracts will be minimal. When you find a lawyer who practices exclusively in real estate law, they will have available contracts and will just merely have to personalize them for your situation. This will take only a couple hours and that price in comparison to a commission for an agent is minimal. You will definitely save money by using this option but if you not around due to work or travel obligations, this is not a good choice for you. When you do a FSBO type of sale, you have to be able to have showings, answer questions, and have the ability to work with potential buyers. If your work or life keeps you too busy, this would not be the preferred method for you.

Investor or Investment Company - This is an option that many people may not consider. There is a fear of the unknown and this process is not as well-known as the traditional ways. Many sellers feel that this option is only for those properties that are "ugly" because they have seen signs stating "we buy houses." In reality, investors like any and all types of houses. If a house is in good condition, they can turn it around in a shorter amount of time and while the profit may not be as large, it can give them leverage for other, future deals. Don't discount this option because you don't know much about it. It can be the fastest way to sell your house and give you the highest dollar amount as well. Just because you use the other methods, you are not guaranteed the listing price you want. You may have to lower the listing price and wait around a lot longer than you had planned. This basically means every day you are losing money so why not start off with an investment company and move on quickly?

When it comes time to sell your house , do not take the task lightly. This is a huge decision for you. You need to research the best ways to sell a house in your area so that you are well prepared. Rate this Article

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Melissa Gifford has published 6 articles. Article submitted on April 05, 2013. Word count: 755

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Friday, June 7, 2013

Cervical Mucus Monitoring Methods of Birth Control

Cervical mucusThe cervical mucus monitoring methods of contraception are methods for preventing pregnancy which rely on a woman monitoring changes in her cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle. As the presence and nature of cervical mucus varies at different stages of the menstrual cycle, in response to changing hormone and fertility levels, women can determine when they are and are not fertile, based on the changes in their cervical mucus.

In order for the method to work effectively as a contraceptive, women must then abstain from vaginal intercourse during the fertile period of the cycle or use alternative methods of contraception if they have sex.

The cervical mucus method, like other fertility awareness methods, works by enabling women to avoid sex in periods when they are fertile. In doing this, it prevents sperm coming into contact with a live egg and thus prevents pregnancy.

Cervical mucus monitoring methods of contraception are suitable for all women who experience menstrual cycles and are able to monitor changes in their cervical mucus on a daily basis (e.g. they are comfortable to touch their bodies and insert their fingers into their vagina). Use of these methods should be delayed however for women who have:

Recently used emergency contraceptive pills - These women should delay use until normal vaginal secretions return, usually at the start of the next menstrual cycle;Who have recently given birth - These women should delay until regular menstrual cycles return, typically six months for breastfeeding and four weeks for non-breastfeeding women; orWho have an unusual vaginal discharge - These women should have the discharge checked by a health professional, as it may indicate a serious condition such as a sexually transmitted infections. They should delay use of cervical mucus monitoring methods until the discharge has resolved.

Cervical mucus method of contraceptionThere are several contraceptive methods based on monitoring cervical mucus changes. All methods require women to abstain from vaginal sex or use an alternative contraceptive method during the fertile period. Women should consider whether it is realistic for them to do this before choosing this method.

The effectiveness of cervical mucus monitoring methods in preventing pregnancy is highly dependent on the cooperation of male sexual partner, to abstain or use alternate contraception while the woman is fertile. It may therefore be useful for a woman who chooses to use cervical mucus monitoring methods to visit a family planning clinic with her sexual partner, so that both can learn about the method from a health professional.

Patients who wish to use an alternative method (usually a barrier method rather than abstain during the fertile period, should discuss their options with a health professional. Numerous methods which can be used on demand are available, for example condoms and diaphragms. It is also recommended that women discuss how to use cervical mucus monitoring methods (two of which are outlined below) with a health professional.


Ovulation method

The ovulation method (also called the Billings method) requires a woman wishing to prevent pregnancy to monitor both the presence or absence and nature of her cervical mucus. Women using this method should:

Avoid vaginal intercourse on days of heavy menstrual bleeding, as cervical mucus may appear (indicating fertility) on these days but be difficult to detect. Many women believe, incorrectly, that they cannot become pregnant during menstrual bleeding. While the risk is very slight, particularly for women who have regular menstrual cycles, for those who have short cycles or experience extended periods of bleeding, menstrual bleeding can overlap with the fertile period, which begins five days prior to ovulation. This is because sperm can survive in the uterus for as many as five days following ejaculation;Check for cervical secretions every day, in the afternoon, after a period of being upright;Have sex only in the evening, as the presence of semen may make it difficult to detect cervical secretions;Avoid having sex two days in a row in the period between menstrual bleeding and cervical secretions;Consider herself fertile on the day that she notices cervical secretions of any colour or consistency;Continue monitoring cervical secretions from the time they appear, until after the "peak" day. On the peak day cervical mucus will be clear, wet and slippery and after the peak day it will become drier and stickier;Consider herself fertile for three days after the peak day;Avoid unprotected intercourse on fertile days.


Two days methods

The two days method is a simplified cervical mucus monitoring method, which, unlike the ovulation method, does not require a woman to be aware of changes in the nature of her cervical mucus (e.g. colour, consistency). Rather, a woman need only monitor when cervical mucus first appears in her menstrual cycle. Women using this method should:

Monitor their cervical secretions on a daily basis. This can be done using fingers, checking for secretions on underwear, or using a tissue. Women should be aware that the presence of semen or menstrual blood may make assessing the presence of cervical mucus more difficult; Consider themselves fertile when they find cervical secretions on two consecutive days;Consider themselves fertile until they have not experienced cervical secretions for two consecutive days (that is, until they have two dry days);Use an alternative contraceptive method or abstain from intercourse in the fertile period.

Cervical mucus method of contraceptionWhen used correctly, the two days cervical monitoring method is 96% effective in preventing pregnancy in the first year of use, while the ovulation method is 97% effective. In addition, research indicates that women become more confident with the monitoring process over time, and this may increase effectiveness in the long term. The effectiveness of both methods decreases if they are not used correctly (e.g. if unprotected intercourse occurs in the fertile period).

The benefits of cervical monitoring methods include:

They are natural and do not cause side effects;They do not require any special devices or procedures and do not cost anything;Women become more knowledgeable about their menstrual cycle when they use the method;The are suitable for women with irregular cycle lengths (cycle <26 days or >32 days) who cannot used calendar based methods;The two days method is simple and requires minimal monitoring of cervical mucus changes.

The limitations of cervical mucus monitoring methods include:

Women must monitor changes in their cervical mucus on a daily basis in order to use the methods effectively. This makes the methods inappropriate for some women (e.g. those who have unusual vaginal discharge or are not comfortable checking for secretions or, for the ovulation method, those who are unable to check at certain times of the day) and difficult to use during some stages of the menstrual cycle (e.g. days of heavy menstrual bleeding);The ovulation method requires women not only to monitor for the presence of cervical mucus but also to note changes in its consistency, and is therefore more difficult than the two days method to use;The ovulation method may require changes to sexual practice (e.g. not having sex two days in a row in the first half of the menstrual cycle and only having sex in the evenings);Additional contraceptive methods or abstinence are required if couples wish to have vaginal intercourse in the fertile period;The methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Women who have sexual partners of unknown STI status should, whenever possible, use male or female condoms?to protect against STIs.

ContraceptionFor more information on different types of contraception, male and female anatomy and?related health issues, see?Contraception.

World Health Organisation. Family Planning: A global handbook for providers. 2007. [cited 2009, June 20] Available from:? www.who.int/entity/reproductivehealth/publications/family_planning/en/Germano, E. Jenning, V. New approaches to fertility awareness based methods: incorporating the standard days and two days methods into practice. J Midwifery Women’s Health. 2006;51:471-7.International Planned Parenting Federation. Fertility Awareness. 2009. [cited 2009, November 5] Available from: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/fertility-awareness-4217.htm
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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Fertility Awareness Contraceptive Methods

Fertility awareness methodsFertility awareness contraceptive methods are methods of preventing pregnancy which rely on a woman monitoring her fertility throughout the menstrual cycle and avoiding sex on days of the cycle in which she is fertile. These methods are also known as periodic abstinence methods and natural contraceptive methods. Methods for monitoring fertility are either:

Calendar based, that is, based on keeping a menstrual cycle calendar (which commences on the first day of menstrual bleeding) and determining fertility according to the number of days which have passed since last menstrual bleeding; orSymptom based, that is, monitoring body changes which indicate changing levels of hormones and determining fertility based on these changes.


Effective use of either calendar or symptom based methods is highly dependent on both the woman using them and her partner's willingness and ability to avoid penetrative vaginal sex, or use another contraceptive method during fertile periods of the cycle. Periodic abstinence or alternative contraceptive methods are an important part of the method.

Fertility awareness methods work by preventing fertilisation, that is, a sperm and egg coming into contact with each other in a woman's uterus or fallopian tubes. Each menstrual cycle an egg is released from the ovaries, and travels through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus. If it is not fertilised by a sperm, it is expelled from the uterus, along with the lining of the uterus (i.e. menstrual blood) within 24 hours. In order for sperm to fertilise the egg, it must be alive in the uterus at the same time as an egg, that is, it must be alive in the uterus just after ovulation. Sperm can stay alive in the uterus for up to five days, and so a woman can become pregnant if she has sex in the five days prior to ovulation, or the 24 hour period in which ovulation takes place.

Ovulation occurs at roughly the same time in each menstrual cycle (around the middle of the cycle), and a number of observable changes take place in a woman's body in the lead up to and following ovulation. These include changes to the texture and quantity of her cervical mucus and body temperature changes. By monitoring these changes, or by tracking the days of her menstrual cycle to identify the mid point, a woman can work out when she is and is not fertile.

The woman must then abstain from penetrative sex or use another contraceptive method during the fertile period, to ensure that sperm does not enter her uterus while she is fertile.

Fertility based awareness methods are suitable for most women although some women may have difficulty using some of the methods (e.g. women with irregular length menstrual cycles). Some women may also need to wait a short while before they can use fertility awareness methods (e.g. those who have recently given birth).


Calendar based methods

For calendar methods, women who may not be able to use the methods or may have to wait to use them include:Calendar based methods

Young women who have just started menstruating and who may not yet have established a regular cycle. These women should only use calendar based methods with caution;Women who are approaching menopause and experiencing irregular menstrual cycles as a result. These women should also use calendar based methods with caution;Women who have recently given birth. These women should wait until they are once again experiencing regular menstrual cycles before using calendar based methods. The methods should be used with caution for the first three menstrual cycles;Women who are breastfeeding. These women should wait until their menstrual cycle returns and use calendar based methods with caution for the first three cycles;Women who have experienced miscarriage or have terminated a pregnancy. These women should wait until the start of their next menstrual cycle to begin using calendar based methods;Women using any form of mood altering drug (e.g. anti-depressants). These women should delay using calendar based methods until they finish the medication, or use with caution if necessary;Women on long-term antibiotic or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These women should also delay using calendar based methods until they finish the medication, or use with caution if necessary;Women who have been using the hormonal contraceptive. These women should wait until their next menstrual cycle to begin using calendar methods.


Women who would like to use calendar based methods but must wait for a period of time to do so, and should therefore abstain from sex or use another contraceptive method while they are waiting, for example male or female condoms.

For more information, see Calendar Based Methods of Contraception


Symptom based methods

For symptom based methods, women who should delay use or use the methods cautiously include:

Women who have just experienced a miscarriage or pregnancy termination - symptom based methods should be used with caution;Women who experience irregular menstrual cycles, for example those approaching menopause - symptom based methods should be used with caution;Women who have a health condition which raises their body temperature should ideally wait until the condition has been treated to use symptom based methods;Women who have recently given birth should delay using symptom based methods until regular menstrual cycles return, typically six months for breastfeeding women and four weeks for non-breastfeeding women. The methods should then be used with caution for the first three months;Women with irregular vaginal bleeding should delay until regular vaginal bleeding returns;Women with unusual vaginal discharge should delay use of these methods until the discharge is treated and goes away;Women using mood altering drugs, some antibiotics or non-sterioidal anti-inflammatory drugs should use symptom based methods with caution or delay until drug use ceases).


Women who need to delay use of symptom based methods should use an alternative contraceptive method or abstain from sex while they are waiting.

For more information, see Cervical Mucus Monitoring Methods of Birth Control

Fertility awareness methodsThe Sex in Australia survey, a nationally representative survey of sexual practices, reported that 4.4% of Australian women use fertility awareness methods for contraception.

Women from non-English speaking backgrounds and those who live with regular partners are more likely to use this method than their English speaking and non-cohabiting counterparts.

Women from remote areas were less likely to use fertility awareness methods than women from regional or urban areas.

There are numerous ways in which a woman can monitor her fertility. Each is a different contraceptive method, which use very different systems for tracking fertile and infertile times in the cycle. The most common include:

Symptom based methods: Cervical mucus monitoring methods (including the Billings or ovulation method and the two days method) - these methods rely on the woman examining her cervical mucus on a daily basis in order to identify when she is and is not fertile; Basal body temperature monitoring method - is a contraceptive method which relies on the woman measuring her basal body temperature everyday, in order to identify the end of the fertile phase of her menstrual cycle;Symptothermal method - is a method in which both basal body temperature and cervical secretions are monitored simultaneously to determine fertility;Calendar based methods; Standard days method - is a method in which a woman with standard length cycles counts the days from the commencement of menstrual bleeding. Fertile and infertile periods are calculated based on a standard length menstrual cycle and the number of days elapsed;Calendar rhythm method?- a method in which a woman with non-standard length cycles counts the days from the commencement of bleeding. Fertile and infertile periods are calculated based on the average length of her menstrual cycle in the previous six months.

Fertility awareness methodsWomen who wish to use fertility awareness methods must ensure that they are properly informed regarding the use of these methods. They may wish to visit a family planning clinic or their doctor to discuss the benefits and limitations of each method, which include:

Need for periodic abstinence or alternative contraception: fertility awareness methods only work if the woman abstains or uses alternative contraceptives during the fertile period. This means fairly long periods of sexual abstinence or the need to use an alternative contraceptive method. As sexual abstinence and the use of some barrier methods are highly dependent on the cooperation of the woman's sexual partner, women should discuss how the method works with their partner or take them to the family planning clinic or doctor so they can also receive information about fertility awareness methods from a health professional.Need for accurate monitoring: fertility awareness methods require daily monitoring or recording. Unless this is performed accurately, the effectiveness of the method will decline.Risk of sexually transmitted infection: women should be aware that fertility awareness methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).


Women who use fertility awareness methods and wish to have sex during the fertile periods of their cycle should discuss alternative methods of contraception with their healthcare provider. They should be aware that emergency contraceptives?can reduce the chance of pregnancy for up to five days after unprotected intercourse in the fertile period and are available over the counter in Australian pharmacies.

Fertility awareness methods can be highly effective methods of family planning. When used correctly they prevent pregnancy in 91-99% of cases, depending on the method of fertility monitoring chosen. Basal body temperature monitoring is the most effective (99%) fertility awareness method when used correctly, while the calendar rhythm method is the least effective (91%). Women using these methods should also be aware that the methods are more effective for users who abstain from sex during their fertile periods, compared to those who use alternative contraceptive methods at this time.

They should also be aware that in practice, fertility awareness methods are far less effective. An estimated one in four women become pregnant in the first year of using fertility awareness methods (i.e. these methods are 75% effective in preventing pregnancy). The main reason this is because women using them do not avoid sex or use alternative contraceptive methods during the fertile period of their menstrual cycle.

Fertility awareness methodsFertility awareness methods are natural methods of family planning and therefore do not have any adverse health effects for women. Women also report liking fertility awareness methods as using the methods increases their awareness about their bodies and fertility throughout the menstrual cycle.

In addition they do not rely on any special devices or medications, so women who have concerns about introducing foreign substances or devices to their bodies may like this method more than other methods of family planning. Women who are unable to use other forms of contraception for religious or cultural reasons may also find these methods highly acceptable.

Fertility awareness methods also provide women with a contraceptive method which they do not depend on a health professional to provide, and thus they can commence using the method at any time once they have been instructed about how to monitor their fertility.

Fertility awareness methods rely on the cooperation of the woman's partner and his willingness to either avoid sex or use an alternative contraceptive method at fertile times in the cycle. This often means long periods of abstinence.

To be used effectively the methods also rely on women accurately monitoring the stage of their menstrual cycle or body changes. Some women may be uncomfortable with monitoring methods which require them to touch their genitals (e.g. cervical mucus monitoring). Other women may find it difficult to monitor their cycle or body changes on a daily basis (e.g. because they are forgetful).

Fertility awareness based methods provide no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Women who are at risk of STI as well as pregnancy should, if possible, use male or female condoms in addition to fertility awareness methods.

ContraceptionFor more information on different types of contraception, male and female anatomy and?related health issues, see?Contraception.

World Health Organisation. Family Planning: A global handbook for providers. 2007. [cited 2009, June 20] Available from:? www.who.int/entity/reproductivehealth/publications/family_planning/en/ Germano, E. Jenning, V. New approaches to fertility awareness based methods: incorporating the standard days and two days methods into practice. J Midwifery Women's Health. 2006;51:471-7.Richters, J. Grulich, A.E. de Visser, R.O. et al. Sex in Australia: Contraceptive Practices in a representative sample of women. Aust NZ J Pub Health. 2003;27:210-6.International Planned Parenting Federation. Fertility Awareness. 2009. [coted 2009, November 5] Available from: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/fertility-awareness-4217.htm
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Calendar Based Methods of Contraception

Calendar methodCalendar based contraceptive methods prevent pregnancy by monitoring the fertile periods during the menstrual cycle. To use this method a woman monitors the length of her menstrual cycle for a period of six months to establish how many days her cycle usually lasts for. She then tracks the progress through each future cycle from the first day of menstrual bleeding (e.g. by numbering the days in a calendar). Doing this enables a woman to determine whether or not she is fertile on a given day of her menstrual cycle and avoid sexual intercourse on those days.

Calendar based methods work allow women to avoid sexual intercourse or use alternative contraceptive methods during the fertile stages of their menstrual cycle.

Research has demonstrated that women are fertile for only around six days of their menstrual cycle, and that the period of fertility coincides with ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries). When an egg is released from the ovaries, it enters the fallopian tubes, where fertilisation can occur. If the egg is not fertilised, it travels through the tubes and is expelled through the vaginal opening. This process takes around 24 hours, and it is only within this 24 hours period that fertilisation of the egg can occur.

However, sperm can survive in the fallopian tubes for up to five days following ovulation. This means that if a woman has unprotected sex in the 5 days prior to ovulation, there is a chance that viable sperm, that is sperm which are still alive and have the capacity to fertilise an egg, may remain in her fallopian tubes until ovulation occurs. Therefore, the woman is considered fertile for six days, rather than 24 hours.

In the vast majority of menstrual cycles, ovulation occurs in middle of the cycle. For women who have standard length menstrual cycles (cycles between 26-32 days in length) 94% of women will experience ovulation within 4 days of their cycle midpoint. Thus by calculating the mid point of the cycle, women can also work out when they are potentially fertile, and when they are definitely infertile. Sex can then be avoided or an alternative method of contraception used on the fertile days of the cycle.


Standard days method

Calendar methodThe standard days method can be used by any woman who wishes to prevent pregnancy and experiences regular menstrual cycles, between 26-32 days in length.

The standard days method should be used with caution in patients with irregular menstrual cycles (e.g. women approaching menopause).


Calendar rhythm method

The calendar rhythm method is a method in which a woman calculates the fertile and infertile days of her menstrual cycle based on the length of her own cycle (as opposed to using a standard length cycle as is the case with the standard days method). This method can therefore be used by women who have irregular length menstrual cycles (menstrual cycles which are always or occasionally <26 days or >32 days). Women must keep track of the length of their menstrual cycle for at least six months before commencing this method.

Calendar method of contraceptionWomen wishing to use calendar based methods should ensure they are fully informed about correct use, as unless the methods are used correctly, their effectiveness is limited. The correct methods for monitoring fertility according to the standard days and calendar rhythm methods are outlined below, and tools are provided to make calculating the fertile period easier. However women should consult a health professional before commencing use of these methods.

It is also extremely important that women using calendar methods do not have unprotected sex during the fertile period. Women who do not wish to abstain from sex during this period should use another method of contraception, for example a diaphragm, which is often used in conjunction with a spermicide?to increase contraceptive effectiveness).


Methods of monitoring fertile and infertile periods


Standard days method

The standard days method?involves counting off days as the menstrual cycle progresses. In order to use this method effectively, women should:

Consider the first day of menstrual bleeding as day one of the menstrual cycle;Keep track of the days of the menstrual cycle using a calendar or Cyclebeads (a string of beads with different colour codes for fertile and infertile days of the menstrual cycle);Avoid unprotected sexual intercourse between days 8-19 of the menstrual cycle, as this is the period of fertility. Women using the standard days method who wish to have sex in this period should use another method of contraception;The method provides contraceptive protection which is 95% effective between days 1-7 of the menstrual cycle, and from day 20 to the commencement of next period of menstrual bleeding.

This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.


Calendar rhythm method

The calendar rhythm method?is based on the length of an individual woman's menstrual cycle. The woman must calculate her fertile and infertile periods based on her own menstrual cycle length. To do this effectively women should:

Monitor the length of each menstrual cycle for a period of six months before commencing the method;Continue monitoring the length of each menstrual cycle and always use the most recent six menstrual cycles to calculate the fertile days, as explained below;To calculate the first day in the cycle in which she is fertile, the woman should subtract 18 from the number of days of her shortest menstrual cycle in the six month period. This result is the first day in her menstrual cycle where she will be fertile. For example, if a woman's shortest cycle was 24 days in length, she would first become fertile 6 days after the first day of menstrual bleeding;To calculate the time in the cycle at which she ceases to be fertile, the woman should subtract 11 from the number of days of her longest menstrual cycle. The result indicates the day in her menstrual cycle from which she is no longer fertile. For example, if the longest cycle was 35 days, the woman would be infertile from day 26 of the cycle).

This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.

The standard days method is 95% effective. In practice the standard days method is only around 88% effective, as couples using the method do not always abstain from sex during fertile periods. However, as some 85% of sexually active women who do not use any form of contraception will become pregnant within one year, the method still provides considerably higher protection than no contraceptive use.

The calendar rhythm method is 91% effective when used according to the guidelines outlined above.

Calendar method of contraceptionThe benefits of calendar based methods include:

They are natural and do not cause side effects;They do not require any special devices or procedures and do not cost anything;Women become more knowledgeable about their menstrual cycle when they use the method.

The limitations of calendar based methods include:

Women must monitor the length of their menstrual cycle in order to use them effectively;The standard days method is only suitable for women who have regular menstrual cycles;Constant menstrual cycle length monitoring required for the calendar rhythm method may be difficult for some women;Additional contraceptive methods or abstinence are required for a significant portion of the menstrual cycle;While the methods are theoretically highly effective (91-95%) in practice the standard days method is 88% effective and the calendar rhythm method is 86% effective;They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Women who have sexual partners of unknown STI status should be advised to used male or female condoms to protect against STIs.

ContraceptionFor more information on different types of contraception, male and female anatomy and?related health issues, see?Contraception.

World Health Organisation. Family Planning: A global handbook for providers. 2007. [cited 2009, June 20] Available from:? www.who.int/entity/reproductivehealth/publications/family_planning/en/ Germano, E. Jenning, V. New approaches to fertility awareness based methods: incorporating the standard days and two days methods into practice. J Midwifery Women's Health. 2006;51:471-7.
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