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What is the Rhythm Method?

Margo Upson
Margo Upson
Margo Upson
Margo Upson

The rhythm method was one of the first attempts at birth control through fertility planning. It is based on the concept that a woman cannot get pregnant during non-fertile days in her cycle, and allows women to either prevent or achieve a pregnancy. The rhythm method has been a form of birth control since at least 388 CE, where it was mentioned by St. Augustine in a letter.

This method is based on three ideas. The first is that the length of a woman's cycle is typically 28 days, give or take a couple days, and that a woman ovulates right around 14 days before her period begins. The second idea is that sperm can last three days in a woman's body. The third idea is that an egg must be fertilized within 24 hours of being released.

Some women use the rhythm method of predicting ovulation patterns as a form of birth control.
Some women use the rhythm method of predicting ovulation patterns as a form of birth control.

Using these three ideas, a calendar was developed, starting the first day of a woman's period, the day her cycle begins. A woman is considered fertile from the time her period ends until four or five days after she ovulates, usually around day 19. From day 20 until she starts her period again, she is considered infertile and cannot get pregnant.

There are a few advantages to the rhythm cycle. It is simple to use, and doesn't require the woman to remember to take a pill every day or use some other chemically-based birth control method. It is free, and has no side effects. It can be a useful tool to help a couple plan for conception, by allowing them to plan intercourse for the time when a woman is most fertile.

Women count days between cycles for the rhythm method of birth control.
Women count days between cycles for the rhythm method of birth control.

Unfortunately, the rhythm method is not an effective form of birth control. It is estimated that anywhere from 10% to 25% of couples using this method to prevent a pregnancy will conceive within a year. It doesn't take into account fluctuations in a woman's cycle, or that not all women ovulate on day 14 of the fertility cycle, and not all fertility cycles are about 28 days in length. The rhythm method also provides no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

Recording body temperature daily may help a woman keep track of ovulation cycles.
Recording body temperature daily may help a woman keep track of ovulation cycles.

There are other fertility awareness methods of birth control that are far more accurate than this method. Charting basal body temperature, a woman's temperature when she first wakes up in the morning, monitoring changes in her cervical mucus, and checking daily for the position of her cervix can give a much clearer idea of when a woman is fertile. There are also specialized portable microscopes, available at some drugstores and online marketplaces, which allow a woman to check her saliva for ferning, a pattern in the dried saliva. This is a sign that ovulation is only a day or two away, allowing a woman to plan around her most fertile period.

Margo Upson
Margo Upson

Margo has a varied academic background, which has involved everything from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education. These wide-ranging interests make her an ideal WiseGEEK writer, as she always enjoys becoming an expert on new and unfamiliar topics.

Learn more...
Margo Upson
Margo Upson

Margo has a varied academic background, which has involved everything from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education. These wide-ranging interests make her an ideal WiseGEEK writer, as she always enjoys becoming an expert on new and unfamiliar topics.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

shazzym

my boyfriend ejaculates after we have sex the first time during the night and the second time he usually comes inside me. can i get pregnant this way?

anon101782

how do i know that my sperm are strong enough to make a women get pregnant?

anon101712

I had sex with my wife on sixth day after her menstrual period and ejaculated inside. Can she get pregnant? please help.

anon96630

I had sex on july 11 sunday with my boyfriend. He came in me. I got my period that monday on the 12. i had a miscarriage a month ago. my hcg levels were zero on June 16. could i be pregnant?

anon53932

I do not believe that a woman can get pregnant up to three days after ovulation.

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    • Some women use the rhythm method of predicting ovulation patterns as a form of birth control.
      By: Patricia Hofmeester
      Some women use the rhythm method of predicting ovulation patterns as a form of birth control.
    • Women count days between cycles for the rhythm method of birth control.
      By: auryndrikson
      Women count days between cycles for the rhythm method of birth control.
    • Recording body temperature daily may help a woman keep track of ovulation cycles.
      By: Rob Byron
      Recording body temperature daily may help a woman keep track of ovulation cycles.
    • The rhythm method doesn't require women to remember to take a pill each day.
      By: cristi180884
      The rhythm method doesn't require women to remember to take a pill each day.