Tracking My Cycle with EcoSensual
Using the average pattern of women's ovulation, a woman can tell when she is most likely to conceive and can avoid vaginal intercourse during that time or use a backup method(s). Ovulation occurs roughly 2 weeks before your period, thus, knowing how short and how long your cycles tend to be can allow you to pin point the time that you will be fertile.
The first day of your period is day one of your cycle, at this time you are and will continue to be relatively infertile until 3-5 days before your ovulation. This is the "relatively infertile” time because a woman doesn't know exactly when she going to ovulate, as it varies month to month, and because of the ability of the vagina to retain live sperm.
WARNING: Studies have shown that "Women who regarded their menstrual cycles as "regular" had a 1 to 6 percent probability of being fertile even on the day that their next period was expected to begin...even women whose menstrual cycles are normally regular can experience sporadic ovulation." [op cit in About.com: Women's Health]
With this warning in mind, a woman will become more confident in her ablity to pinpoint when her ovulation is coming, through becoming familiar with her cycle and the changes her body makes throughout. This can be done by taking a basal body temperature, recording changes in vaginal juices, checking the cervix, and noting other physical and emotional changes.
When a couple practices sexy natural birth control they can have greater control of their love life!
