Everything you need to know about natural contraception

Are you tired of hormonal contraceptives, your intrauterine device, or even condoms, but still aware of the importance of protecting yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Are you looking for a more natural solution that's in harmony with your health? Natural contraceptive methods could be an effective solution for you. We'll explain everything in this article. Enjoy!

Contraception, a women's issue?

We thought it would be interesting to start with this little aside, to recall a few facts.

Today, the responsibility for contraception unfortunately still rests largely on the shoulders of women. An American study tells us that in 2018, 65% of women of childbearing age were using a contraceptive method, and more than 99% of sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 44 had already used at least one contraceptive method at some point. This highlights the fact that, despite the many options available, the burden of contraception falls mainly on women. However, these contraceptives, as we will see in the rest of the article, are not without health risks. They can also be a real mental burden for women. This is why more and more of them are deciding to turn to so-called "natural" contraceptives.

What is natural contraception?

Natural contraception , like hormonal contraception, intrauterine devices, or even surgical procedures, can prevent pregnancy. However, natural contraception relies on learning and monitoring your body's fertility indicators. The main goal of these methods is to avoid sexual intercourse during fertile periods, but not only that! Let's take a closer look.

Why consider natural contraception?

Not all contraceptive methods are without health risks. That's why some women are turning to more natural contraceptive alternatives . But health concerns aren't the only reason for this search. Let's explore these reasons a little further:

For a health concern:

This is often the main reason— women who are interested in natural contraception often do so out of concern for their health. They want to avoid the imbalances caused by the synthetic hormones contained in many hormonal contraceptives. These hormones, while effective in preventing pregnancy, can disrupt the body's natural hormonal balance. This can lead to various unwanted side effects such as mood swings, changes in weight, menstrual cycle , and nausea.

Continued exposure to these hormones also promotes certain medical conditions such as:

• Cardiovascular risks: Hormonal contraceptives can increase the risk of blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, and cardiovascular problems, especially in smokers or women over 35.
• Hypertension: They can cause increased blood pressure in some women.
• Breast and cervical cancer: Some studies have suggested a link between the use of hormonal contraceptives and an increased risk of breast and cervical cancers, although oral contraceptives have also been associated with a reduced risk of certain other types of cancer, such as ovarian and endometrial cancer.
• Mental health effects: Although research is less conclusive in this area, some women report negative experiences with hormonal contraceptives on their mental health, including depression and mood swings.
• Metabolic changes: Hormonal contraceptives can also influence metabolism, with potential effects on body weight, body composition, and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

This is why many women are looking for methods that are more respectful of their body's natural physiology.

To avoid side effects:

As we briefly touched on earlier, side effects are quite common when taking hormonal contraception or an intrauterine device.

Mood fluctuations, weight changes, headaches, menstrual disorders, intense period pain, changes in libido, acne, breast tenderness... so many side effects that can be avoided with natural contraception.

Moreover, these side effects are not limited to temporary inconveniences but can profoundly influence daily life, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships, which can be difficult to live with every day.

Because it is a non-invasive method:

Another reason this type of contraception is popular is its non-invasive nature. Unlike medical contraceptive methods, such as implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or hormonal injections, which physically intervene in the reproductive system or alter the body's hormonal balance, natural contraception offers a gentle alternative without direct physical effects.

Plus, for those on the pill, there's no need to think about it every day!

For environmental reasons:

This reason is a little less common, but some women decide to turn away from hormonal contraception for ecological reasons.

You may not have known this, but hormonal contraceptives have a deleterious impact on aquatic wildlife. A study conducted by Lund University highlighted the harmful effects of estrogen in contraceptive pills on all aquatic wildlife, demonstrating how these hormones can alter the endocrine balance of aquatic organisms and potentially disrupt these populations. For example, renowned hydrologist Emma Haziza explains in this video that the contraceptive pill feminizes fish and all aquatic wildlife.

Disclaimer:

After reading this article, the idea of ​​choosing a more natural method of contraception may seem even more appealing, which is understandable. However, it's important to remember that traditional contraceptive methods, despite the potential side effects they can cause, are often preferred for their high level of effectiveness and safety.

It's also essential to remember that "zero risk" does not exist when it comes to contraception, regardless of the method chosen. Each individual can react differently to different contraceptive methods, and what works for one person may not be ideal for another. The decision to change contraceptive methods should always be made with careful consideration.

5 natural contraception methods

1. The calendar method (or Ogino-Knaus method)

The calendar method, also known as the Ogino-Knaus method , is a form of natural contraception that relies on tracking the menstrual cycle to determine the most dangerous days of the cycle for getting pregnant.

The principle of this method is quite simple; it is based on identifying the fertility window in the menstrual cycle. As a reminder, the cycle is divided into fertile and non-fertile days. To effectively use the Ogino-Knaus method, you must first observe and record the duration of your menstrual cycles to determine their regularity and predict the time of ovulation .

Typically, this method calculates the fertile window by subtracting 18 days from the shortest cycle and 11 days from the longest cycle over a series of recorded cycles. In fact, we highly recommend using a menstrual cycle tracking app . The remaining days between these two calculations represent the fertile window during which couples seeking to avoid pregnancy should abstain from sex or use barrier contraception, such as a condom.

Good to know:

Although the calendar method can be useful for women with regular cycles, it has limitations. The effectiveness of this method can be affected by the variation in the length of a woman's cycles and the unpredictability of ovulation. It requires rigorous discipline and a thorough understanding of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional or fertility specialist for personalized advice before choosing this method as your primary form of contraception.

Failure rate:

⚡️Perfect use: 5%

💦Actual usage: 25%

2. The basal temperature method

This natural contraception is based on basal body temperature. Basal body temperature is the daily measurement of a woman's body temperature immediately after waking. This method relies on the fact that body temperature increases slightly after ovulation. By measuring body temperature during ovulation and identifying this temperature change, it is possible to determine the days when a woman is potentially fertile.

To use this method, you need to take your temperature every morning at the same time, before getting out of bed or engaging in any physical activity. And don't take your temperature with a standard thermometer. It's important to use a basal thermometer and record your temperature every day.

Typically, before ovulation, basal body temperature is lower, ranging from 36.1°C to 36.4°C for most women. After ovulation, this temperature increases by at least 0.2°C and remains elevated until the start of the next menstrual period. This rise in temperature is caused by the hormone progesterone, produced after ovulation.

Good to know:

A woman's fertile period occurs in the days leading up to the temperature rise and the day it begins to rise. By avoiding unprotected sex during this time, the basal body temperature method can be used as a form of contraception. However, like the calendar method, it requires discipline and a good understanding of your cycle, and it can be influenced by various factors such as stress, travel, and sleep disturbances, all of which can affect body temperature. So be careful!

Failure rate:

⚡️Perfect use: 2%

💦Actual usage: 20%

3. The cervical mucus method (or Billings method):

The Billings Method is based on observing changes in cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle . This mucus, produced by the cervix, changes in texture, color, and volume throughout the cycle, in response to hormonal changes. By learning to recognize these changes, we can identify the days when we are potentially fertile.

The cervical mucus method works in 4 steps:

1. Daily observation: Every day, you should observe your cervical mucus. It is important to perform this observation every day to monitor the evolution of discharge throughout the cycle.
2. Follow up: Discharge characteristics such as color, consistency, and sensation (dry, wet, slippery) should be noted. Immediately after menstruation, it is common for there to be no visible mucus (dry period). As ovulation approaches, the mucus becomes more abundant, clear, and elastic, resembling egg white . This "fertile" texture facilitates the travel of sperm through the cervix.
3. Identifying the fertile window: The fertile window begins when discharge begins to become heavier and ends 48 hours after the most fertile mucus (clear, slippery, and elastic) is observed. Avoiding unprotected sex or using a condom during this time can help prevent pregnancy.
4. Abstinence or condom use: People who use this method as a means of contraception avoid sexual intercourse or use condoms during the fertile window identified through observation of discharge.

Good to know:

Here too, it's important to emphasize that identifying cervical mucus requires learning and practice. It requires paying close attention to your body and your cycles. As with any natural contraceptive method, its effectiveness can be influenced by various factors, such as infections, douching, and certain medications that can alter the appearance of cervical mucus. To increase its effectiveness, the cervical mucus method can be combined with other fertility tracking methods, such as the basal body temperature method.

Failure rate:

⚡️Perfect use: 1%

💦Actual usage: 23%

4. The symptothermal method:

The sympto-thermal method combines observation of cervical mucus (Billings method) and measurement of basal temperature.

As a reminder, cervical mucus monitoring involves examining its texture, color, and sensation daily, which helps identify periods of high fertility. At the same time, basal temperature, measured each morning immediately after waking, shows a slight rise post-ovulation, which indicates potentially fertile days. As a reminder, the use of a basal thermometer is recommended to note temperature variations. This method can also be enhanced by observing other physiological signs, such as changes in the cervix!

Good to know:

Although this method is among the most reliable in terms of natural contraception, it requires rigorous monitoring. And it is not immune to external influences that can alter fertility signals.

Failure rate:

⚡️Perfect use: 4%

💦Actual usage: 22%

5. Withdrawal (or coitus interruptus):

Finally, the last natural method of contraception is withdrawal , also known as coitus interruptus. It involves the man withdrawing his penis from his partner's vagina just before ejaculation, in order to prevent the deposit of sperm in the female genital tract. This practice aims to reduce the risk of pregnancy by preventing sperm from reaching the egg.

For this method to work properly, withdrawal must be performed on time, every time you have sex. The success of this technique depends entirely on the man's ability to anticipate impending ejaculation and withdraw early enough. This requires blind faith in your partner and their ability to control themselves.

Good to know:

Although withdrawal has been a method of contraception for centuries, its effectiveness is debated due to the risk of failure related to the timing of ejaculation or the presence of sperm in the pre-ejaculatory fluid. While this method is simple to implement, it may not be suitable for everyone, especially those seeking highly reliable protection against pregnancy. It's important to discuss this with your partner!

Failure rate:

⚡️Perfect use: 0.4%

💦Actual usage: 2%

Advantages and disadvantages of natural contraceptives compared to traditional contraceptives

To help you weigh the pros and cons, we've created a comparison chart that shows the advantages and disadvantages of natural birth control methods versus traditional methods.

Criteria	Natural methods	Traditional methods
Efficiency	Less effective in general, however with good discipline and knowledge of the body, effectiveness can improve. It should also be noted that effectiveness varies. For example, the symptothermal method can achieve up to 99% effectiveness with perfect use, but in practice, it drops to around 76-88% due to user errors.	Very effective when used correctly. With perfect use, the efficiency is about 99.7%, but in practice it is about 91% due to forgetfulness or misuse. Condoms are also effective, but can sometimes carry a risk of tearing.
Cost	Usually inexpensive or free. Possible costs include purchasing basal thermometers or tracking apps, which can cost anywhere from a few euros to around fifty euros.	Can be expensive depending on the method chosen and insurance coverage. For example, the contraceptive implant costs approximately 102 euros. Health insurance reimburses 65% of its price. As for contraceptive pills, the cost can range from 0 to 50 euros per month, depending on the type of pill and insurance coverage.
Ease of use	Require daily observation and good knowledge of one's body. Can be perceived as restrictive.	Most are easy to use. However, some devices require a doctor's appointment for installation or removal.
Side effects	There are no direct side effects associated with using natural methods, but they may cause stress or anxiety related to managing and correctly interpreting body signals.	May include hormonal or physical side effects, depending on the method (e.g., mood changes, weight gain, etc.). For example, pills can include nausea, weight changes, mood swings, and, in rare cases, increased risks of certain health problems. For implants, they can cause changes in menstrual bleeding, pain at the insertion site, and other hormonal side effects.
STI protection	Do not offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections.	Condoms (male and female) provide protection against STIs. Other non-natural methods do not protect against STIs.
Reversibility	Fertility restored after stopping use.	Most are reversible, but some may cause a delay before normal fertility returns.

Beware of myths and misconceptions about natural contraception

Finally, we felt it was important to lift the veil on certain myths surrounding natural contraception!

They are totally ineffective (FALSE):

Many people mistakenly believe that natural methods of contraception are completely ineffective. However, when practiced correctly and conscientiously, some methods, such as the symptothermal method, can have high effectiveness rates. However, there is no such thing as zero risk, and this adage also applies to non-natural contraceptives.

They are only for couples (FALSE):

Some believe these methods are only suitable for stable couples. In reality, anyone who wants to avoid hormonal contraceptives or devices can consider these methods, regardless of their relationship status.

They are too complicated to follow (FALSE):

Although they require more attention and monitoring than some other types of birth control, with the right education and tools (like fertility tracking apps), many people find these methods manageable.

They do not protect against STIs (TRUE but to be qualified):

This is not a myth but a reality; however, the misconception is that people who use natural contraception do not care about protection against STIs. In reality, many use condoms as a backup when having sex with new partners or if they are at risk of STIs.

They are reserved for women with regular cycles (FALSE):

Although cycle regularity can make it easier to use some natural methods, methods like symptothermal can accommodate irregular cycles by tracking multiple fertility indicators.

SOURCES:

“Contraceptive Use in the United States” https://guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/contraceptive-use-united-states

“Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk” https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/oral-contraceptives-fact-sheet

“Estrogen in birth control pills has a negative impact on fish” https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160304092230.htm