Behavioral Birth Control Methods

Note: Information provided on this page is for reference only, please seek medical assistance when in doubt

Behavioral birth control methods mainly involve regulating days of intercourse during the menstrual cycle or pulling out to prevent introduction of sperm into the female reproductive tract, either altogether or when an egg may be present. If used perfectly the first-year failure rate may be around 3.4%, however if used poorly first-year failure rates may approach 85%. Behavioral method has high failure rate and is most difficult to implement

Fertility awareness method
Fertility awareness methods involve determining the most fertile days of the menstrual cycle and avoiding unprotected intercourse during this period. Techniques for determining fertility includes monitoring basal body temperature, cervical secretions, or the day of the cycle. They have typical first-year failure rates of about 24%; perfect use first-year failure rates depend on which method is used and range from 0.4% to 5%. The evidence, on which these estimates are based, however, is poor as the majority of people in trials stop their use early. Globally, they are used by about 3.6% of couples. If based on both basal body temperature and another primary sign, the method is referred to as symptothermal. Overall first-year failure rates of <2% to 20% have been reported in clinical studies of the symptothermal method.

Withdrawal method
The withdrawal method also known as coitus interruptus is the practice of ending intercourse or simply pulling out just before ejaculation. The main risk of the withdrawal method is that the man may not perform the maneuver correctly or in a timely manner. First-year failure rates vary from 4% with perfect usage to 22% with typical usage. It is not considered birth control by some medical professionals. The withdrawal method is used as birth control by about 3% of couples but has highest inaccuracy and is not a recommended method for birth control

Also See ...
»   Abstinence
»   Barrier
»   Behavioral
»   Emergency contraceptive
»   Fertility awareness
»   Hormonal
»   Intrauterine devices
»   Lactational amenorrhea
»   Sterilization
»   Withdrawal