Methods based on fertility awareness
The disadvantages of using fertility-awareness methods are:
- They rely heavily on your ability to accurately work out your fertile periods each month. If your signs are not correctly judged or calculated, the method has a high risk of failure.
- They are not suitable for women with irregular periods.
- You have to avoid sex for eight to 16 days in each menstrual cycle. Some couples find this difficult.
- They demand a high level of organisation, and it may take as long as six months to discover your fertile period. During this time, you must keep a diary of your body signs every day to ensure that your records are accurate.
- Your body signs may be difficult to interpret if you are tired, stressed or ill. Such factors may alter your signs to the extent that the contraceptive effect is reduced.
- They do not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV and chlamydia.
The lactational amenorrhoea method
- It becomes unreliable after six months.
- You may find it inconvenient or difficult to breastfeed frequently.
- It does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV and chlamydia.
