Pregnancy is very good news if both the partners are ready for it. But there are certain situations in which partners tend to avoid the condition.

If you are not ready for pregnancy and are looking for methods to avoid pregnancy after sex naturally, then this blog is perfect for you.

Mykare health is here for you to provide you the methods to avoid pregnancy naturally after sex.

Natural Methods

You can opt for natural methods to avoid pregnancy after sex. You should understand your body’s natural reproductive process for this. They can be effective at times but many times they fail as compared to modern contraceptives.

Withdrawal Method

The withdrawal method, or the pull-out method, is a natural contraceptive technique where the male partner takes out his penis from the female partner's vagina before ejaculation. The sperm is prevented from entering into the vagina in this way.

The effectiveness of the withdrawal method varies as per typical use or the perfect use which involves whether there is any human error or not.

The method relies mostly on the male partner's ability to predict and control ejaculation, which can lead to mistakes. The withdrawal method does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Emergency Contraceptive Herbs

You can use emergency contraceptive herbs in various cultures to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Many herbs are believed to have contraceptive properties. These include wild carrot, papaya, ginger, and parsley. Some of the Common Emergency Contraceptive Herbs are as follows: BOX

• Wild Carrot : The seeds are believed to interfere with the implantation of a fertilized egg.
• Papaya: Unripe papaya is believed to have contraceptive properties due to its enzyme content.
• Ginger: It is believed to induce menstruation, which prevents pregnancy. The effectiveness of these herbs is far lower than that of conventional emergency contraceptive pills.

Menstrual Cycle Awareness

• Menstrual cycle awareness, or fertility awareness, involves the understanding of the menstrual cycle to identify fertile and infertile days. You can use this knowledge for natural family planning, either to get or avoid pregnancy.
• The menstrual cycle is usually around 28 days long but can vary for women. It consists of various phases such as menstrual Phase, follicular Phase, Ovulation, and Luteal Phase. You can identify each phase by methods such as body basal temperature, calendar method etc.
• To prevent pregnancy, avoid unprotected sex during the identified fertile window. If you are trying to conceive, this is the perfect time for intercourse.
• This method is Natural and hormone-free. It increases awareness of one’s own body and its menstrual cycle but the method needs daily tracking. It can be influenced by factors like illness, stress, and irregular cycles.

Abstinence

Abstinence means avoiding sexual activity. As a method of birth control, it is the only approach that is 100% effective in avoiding pregnancy. One should prevent all forms of sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. You can choose to abstain from sex in specific situations, such as until marriage.

How effective the method is depends on accurately identifying fertile periods and avoiding sex during those times.

Abstinence has no hormonal or physical side effects. If practiced, it prevents both pregnancy and STIs effectively. The method requires no medical prescriptions. Challenges can be maintaining abstinence particularly in long-term relationships.

Natural Family Planning (NFP) Methods

Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods involve tracking a woman's menstrual cycle to determine the fertile and infertile phases. You can use this information to plan or prevent pregnancy. Women should observe signs such as basal body temperature, and menstrual cycle time and length.

NFP methods do not involve hormonal interventions, making them a natural option. The method encourages understanding of one's reproductive cycle and overall health. It requires cooperation and communication between partners.

NFP methods have a higher failure rate compared to hormonal contraceptives. Perfect use can be highly effective, but typical use often results in a higher chance of unintended pregnancy.

Benefits and drawbacks

Benefits:

• Natural methods do not involve any medications, making them suitable for individuals who prefer non-chemical contraception.
• Withdrawal and emergency contraceptive herbs are easily accessible and do not require prescriptions.
• The methods are usually not costly or free compared to other forms of contraception, which may require ongoing expenses.
• There are methods such as menstrual cycle awareness which promote understanding of one's reproductive health.

Drawbacks:

• Natural methods are found to have higher failure rates compared to modern contraceptives.
• Methods like withdrawal and menstrual cycle awareness require strict adherence to timing and monitoring, which can be challenging and prone to human error.
• Unlike barrier methods, natural methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
• Practicing abstinence may impose social and psychological challenges, such as peer pressure concerns about trust and reliability.