Contraception - 'Natural Methods'
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.3.23
‘Natural methods’
Some women prefer to use ‘natural methods’ of contraception. Whatever the choice of contraception, it is essential that people protect themselves against unwanted pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted diseases.
Timing
- Since a female’s body temperature usually rises during ovulation, some women choose to avoid sexual intercourse on days when they know (or feel) that they are ovulating.
- However, sperm can last up to six days inside the woman’s body, so this is not a very reliable or effective method of contraception.
Abstinence
- The only truly effective way (apart from sterilisation) to avoid pregnancy is abstinence.
- This simply means that a couple chooses to not have sexual intercourse unless they are ready for a baby.
Test yourself on Contraception - 'Natural Methods'
Why is timing intercourse around predicted ovulation an unreliable method of avoiding pregnancy?
A woman notices that her body temperature has risen. What might this indicate about her menstrual cycle?
Why does abstinence guarantee that a couple avoids pregnancy, unlike the timing method?
Why might abstinence help protect a couple against sexually transmitted diseases as well as pregnancy?
A couple wants to be completely certain they will not get pregnant, but they do not want to be sterilised. What should they do?