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Natural birth control methods include monitoring the time of ovulation and taking basal temperature readings. However, these are not usually as effective at preventing pregnancy as hormonal contraception.
Birth control or contraception includes methods, medicines, and devices to help prevent unintended pregnancy. People seeking birth control can choose from a variety of options.
Barrier forms of contraception block sperm from reaching the female’s egg to inhibit pregnancy. Hormonal birth control disrupts the production of hormones that can lead to conception.
Natural birth control is an option for people who cannot or do not want to use hormonal birth control or a barrier method to prevent pregnancy.
This article discusses the different natural birth control methods, how they work, and their effectiveness.
“Perfect” vs. typical birth control use
This article talks about perfect and typical use of birth control. Perfect use describes how effective a form of birth control is if people use it exactly as the instructions recommend every they have sex. Typical use describes how effective a form of birth control is if a person sometimes uses it per the instructions but may also use it irregularly or imperfectly.
Even with perfect use, contraception is not 100% effective. People should discuss birth control options with a healthcare professional to find the right option for them.
Natural birth control, or fertility awareness, methods do not involve devices or hormone manipulation to prevent pregnancy. Instead, people track factors such as menstruation, cervical mucus, and basal temperature to predict ovulation.
Ovulation is a
A person’s fertile window begins 5 days before ovulation. People who are using any form of contraception should be aware that sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for
During the ovulation period or fertile window, a person may abstain from sex or choose to use barrier contraception, such as a condom. Barrier birth control does not contain hormones and can help prevent unintentional pregnancy during a person’s most fertile period.
People can track their ovulation cycles using a calendar or an online calculator, such as the
However, people who use fertility awareness methods may have a higher chance of unintentional pregnancy. The
Before deciding to use natural birth control methods, a person may wish to consider the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- Most methods of natural birth control are free.
- People can purchase devices that calculate ovulation windows.
- Natural birth control does not change the amount of hormones the body produces.
- People do not need a doctor’s appointment for birth control devices or prescriptions.
- Natural birth control does not cause side effects that people may experience with hormonal contraception, such as headaches and nausea.
Cons
- Natural birth control can have up to a 23% failure rate.
- The effectiveness of this method relies in part on a person’s commitment and ability to accurately track their menstrual cycles to work out an estimated ovulation window.
- People with irregular or absent periods will have difficulty tracking their fertility and may wish to use another method of contraception.
- People will either have to abstain from vaginal sex or use another form of birth control during their ovulation window.
- Natural birth control cannot protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There are several forms of natural birth control options a person may choose. Additionally, some companies may sell products that can aid a person in tracking their fertility.
However, the CDC states that typical use of natural birth control options may only be
Basal body temperature method
This method requires a person to use a basal thermometer to take their temperature every day when they first wake up. An oral or digital thermometer can measure basal body temperature, but people should check it measures in tenths of a degree Fahrenheit (°F).
A sustained increase of temperature of about
Individuals should use another form of contraception or abstain from vaginal sex during ovulation to decrease the chance of unintentional pregnancy.
However, several factors that can influence a person’s basal body temperature apart from ovulation, such as:
- smoking
- drinking alcohol
- jet lag
- stress
- illness
People can also purchase kits from companies that offer ovulation tracking and charting. Companies such as Natural Cycles offer a fertility tracking smart app that people can use to input data such as basal body temperature. Additionally, people can purchase a basal thermometer from the company to input more accurate data.
Learn more about Natural Cycles.
Ovulation prediction kits
These kits detect the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine to discover whether a person is ovulating.
Most ovulation prediction kits detect an LH surge to determine when a person is most likely ovulating. Others also measure estrogen levels, which increase just before ovulation.
Learn more about the best ovulation kits to purchase online.
Cervical mucus method
This method involves assessing the amount and quality of cervical mucus to determine ovulation.
People can check their cervical mucus in different ways. One option is to wipe the vagina with white toilet paper before urinating and inspecting the color and texture of the discharge. Another is to examine discharge in underwear or insert clean fingers into the vagina to find out the color and texture.
The following table describes the different types of discharge a person can expect during the month.
| Color | Texture | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| During menstruation | disguised by blood flow | not applicable | less likely to be more fertile |
| Directly after menstruation | no mucus | no mucus | may be fertile, depending on cycle length |
| Before ovulation | yellow, white, or cloudy | sticky or tacky | may be more fertile |
| Right before and during ovulation | clear or looks like egg whites | slippery and stretchy | most likely to be fertile |
| After ovulation | no mucus, or cloudy mucus | none, or sticky | less likely to be fertile |
Learn more about what the color of vaginal discharge means.
Calendar or rhythm method
This method involves charting the menstrual cycle to estimate the most fertile times of each month. A person can use a calendar or menstrual cycle app, such as Flo, that automatically estimates a person’s ovulation after inputting menstrual data.
Planned Parenthood recommends the following formula to estimate a person’s ovulation window:
- Find the shortest tracked cycle.
- Subtract 18 days from the total number of days in that cycle.
- Use this number to count from the start – including day 1 – of the current cycle and mark that day. This is the start of a person’s ovulation window.
People should track at least 3–6 cycles to gain a better understanding of the time of their ovulation. If a person has cycles that are typically shorter than 27 days, this method is less likely to work.
Withdrawal method
The withdrawal method, or pulling out, involves withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation.
Perfect use of this method has a 4% failure rate. However, typical use of this method is 78% effective. Around 1 in 5 people will become pregnant in a year using this method. This method has such a high failure rate because pre-ejaculate, the fluid that comes out of the penis right before ejaculation, contains sperm.
Learn more about the withdrawal method.
Breastfeeding or lactation amenorrhea
People who are breastfeeding may rely on this method to prevent unintended pregnancy.
The
- Those who are not menstruating — amenorrhea.
- Those who are exclusively or almost exclusively breastfeeding.
- Those who have given birth no more than 6 months previously.
The CDC says this is a short-term form of birth control. A person should use a different method if they do not meet one of the criteria above.
Outercourse
Outercourse involves any sexual activity that does not include vaginal sex or allowing semen into the vagina.
The following are some examples of outercourse:
- kissing
- mutual masturbation
- using sex toys
- dry humping or grinding
However, this method does not protect against all STIs. Any skin-to-skin contact can transmit an STI to another person.
When choosing a form of birth control, individuals may wish to contact a healthcare professional to discuss the effectiveness and suitability of different options.
The table below describes the difference between natural birth control, male condoms, and the pill, a common form of hormonal birth control.
| Effectiveness | Side effects | STI protection | Availability | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural birth control | none | none | widely available | none | |
| Male condoms | 85–98% effective | none | helps prevent STIs | widely available | around $1 each condom |
| The pill | 91–99% effective | • mood swings • nausea • breast tenderness • headaches | none | widely available | $0–$50 per month |
Below are the answers to some common questions about natural birth control.
Who should consider natural and nonhormonal birth control?
Anyone who wants to reduce the chances of unintentional pregnancy without using a hormonal method of contraception may consider using natural birth control.
However, a person may wish to discuss available methods of contraception with a healthcare professional to ensure they are choosing the best option for them.
What are the most effective methods of natural birth control?
The
If a person wants to increase the effectiveness of natural birth control, they may wish to consider also using a different method of contraception, such as male or female condoms.
What can I use instead of birth control?
If a person does not want to become pregnant and does not want to use any form of birth control, they may wish to abstain from sexual activity that involves vaginal sex or where semen could enter the vagina.
Natural birth control, or fertility awareness methods, use practices such as basal body temperature, the rhythm method, and the withdrawal method to decrease the chances of unintentional pregnancy. These methods can help predict a person’s ovulation window, which is often when a person is most likely to become pregnant after vaginal sex.
However, natural birth control is not as effective as most hormonal and barrier methods. A person who uses fertility awareness methods may wish to use another nonhormonal form of contraception, such as condoms, to reduce the chances of unintentional pregnancy.