Educational Information
Know more about fertile period and periodic abstinence
Ovulation usually occurs 14 days before the onset of the next menstruation. The fertile period can be estimated by the calendar method, detecting changes in cervical mucus and charting daily basal body temperature. 1) Calendar method: keep track of your menstrual cycles for 6-12 months. 2) Cervical mucus method: observe and record cervical mucus changes every day. 3) Basal Body Temperature: use a basal thermometer to track your temperature for 6-12 months. Normally after a woman ovulates, her basal body temperature will rise between 0.2 to 0.6℃. It is most effective to combine all of these methods.
The principle of periodic abstinence is to avoid sexual intercourse around ovulation period, when the woman is most fertile. However since menstrual cycles are not always regular, the user needs careful and persistent charting over a long time in order to predict the fertile period. Therefore it is not reliable for women with irregular cycles, or whose cycles are affected by illness, childbirth or peri-menopause. The various methods used for estimating the fertile period require careful instruction and it is best to consult a doctor if you plan to use this method for contraception.
If you are planning to become pregnant, you can use the above methods to determine the best days to have sex. If you have any difficulties in childbearing, you are advised to consult doctors or visit our clinics for subfertility service.
