Calendar Method Contraceptives

The calendar method is one of three natural family planning methods approved by the Catholic Church. This method of birth control, created by Georgetown University, helps a woman predict the days she will be the most fertile. When done correctly, it is 87 percent effective against pregnancy and completely natural.

Considerations

• While this method is effective, it also requires a great deal of self-control through abstinence during the periods when fertility is believed to be at its highest point.

Benefits

• This method allows a woman to effectively track her fertility and prevent pregnancy without the use of chemical contraceptives or sterilizing surgery.

Directions

• This method requires careful observation of your menstrual cycles for at least six months (begin counting from the beginning of one cycle to the beginning of the next one), followed by an exact calculation, using a formula, to determine the days when you are fertile and avoiding intercourse on those days.

The Formula

• Subtract 18 from your shortest cycle (for example, for a 28-day cycle, subtract 18 to get 10); from the beginning of your most recent cycle, count up 10 days. This is likely your first fertile day. To determine the end of your fertile cycle, subtract 11 days from your longest cycle and count forward that many days from the first day of your most recent cycle. Use a barrier method such as a condom during your fertile time.

Cost

• This method of family planning is free. There are many websites that offer free calendars for tracking fertility such as fertilityfriend.com.