17 Best Home Remedies to Avoid Pregnancy

The rutin in buckwheat is believed to prevent implantation, but medical science doesn’t support this myth.

Natural Birth Control Methods

Natural family planning, or fertility awareness, involves timing your sexual activity to avoid a woman’s most fertile time.

Birth control is the use of practices, medications, or devices to prevent pregnancy. Natural birth control methods, or natural family planning, are a type of birth control that relies on observations about the woman’s body and menstrual cycle. Natural birth control methods include fertility awareness methods.

Examples of natural birth control methods include:

• Calendar rhythm method
• Basal body temperature method
• Cervical mucus examination

Natural methods of contraception are considered “natural” because they are not mechanical or a result of hormone manipulation. Instead, natural birth control methods to prevent pregnancy require that a man and woman not have sexual intercourse when an egg is available to be fertilized by a sperm.

The fertility awareness methods (FAMs) are based on knowing when a woman ovulates each month. To use an FAM, it is necessary to watch for the signs and symptoms that indicate ovulation has occurred or is about to occur.

• On average, the egg is released about 14 (plus or minus 2) days before a woman’s next menstrual period.
• Because the egg survives 3 to 4 days (6 to 24 hours after ovulation) and the sperm can live 48 to 72 hours (up to even 5 days in fertile mucus), the actual time during which a woman may become pregnant is measured not in hours, not in days, but in weeks.

FAMs can be up to 98% effective, but they require a continuous and conscious commitment with considerable monitoring and self-control. Although these methods were developed to prevent pregnancy, they can equally be well used by a couple to increase fertility and promote conception .

What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural birth control?

Natural forms of birth control are typically very inexpensive compared to other birth control methods unless a woman chooses to purchase ovulation test kits.

Advantages of natural birth control

• Natural birth control methods may align with personal or religious beliefs that prioritize avoiding chemical contraception.
• A woman does not need to take medication or use hormonal manipulation.
• No procedures or fittings by a physician are required.

Disadvantages of natural birth control

• It can be difficult to estimate or know precisely when a woman is fertile, allowing increased chances for unplanned conception.
• Natural birth control methods are not as effective as some forms of contraception.
• Ovulation test kits are used by some couples using natural methods of contraception, and the cost of these kits is another potential disadvantage.
• Being unable to have intercourse at certain times of the month is a disadvantage for some women.

1. Calendar rhythm method

The calendar rhythm method, a type of natural birth control, relies upon calculating a woman’s fertile period on the calendar. Based upon her 12 previous menstrual cycles, a woman subtracts 18 days from her shortest menstrual cycle to determine her first fertile day, and 11 days from her longest menstrual cycle to determine her last fertile day. She can then calculate the total number of days during which she may ovulate. If a woman’s menstrual cycles are quite irregular from month to month, there will be a greater number of days during which she might become pregnant.

The calendar method is only about 80% effective in preventing pregnancy, and when used alone, it is considered outdated and ineffective.

SLIDESHOW

2. Basal body temperature method

The basal body temperature (BBT) method is a natural birth control approach based on the fact that a woman’s temperature drops 12 to 24 hours before an egg is released from her ovary and then increases again once the egg has been released. Unfortunately, this temperature difference is not very large. It is less than 1 degree F (about a half degree C) when the body is at rest.

The basal body temperature method requires that a woman take her temperature every morning before she gets out of bed. A special thermometer that is more accurate and sensitive than a typical oral thermometer must be used, and the daily temperature variations carefully noted. This must be followed every month. Online calculators are available to help a woman chart her basal body temperature.

To use basal body temperature as a natural birth control method, a woman should refrain from having sexual intercourse from the time her temperature drops until at least 48 to 72 hours after her temperature increases again.

3. Mucus inspection method

Another natural birth control method is mucus inspection, which depends on the presence or absence of a particular type of cervical mucus that a woman produces in response to estrogen. A woman will generate larger amounts of more watery mucus than usual (like raw egg white) just before the release of an egg from her ovary. This so-called egg-white cervical mucus (EWCM) stretches for up to an inch when pulled apart. A woman can learn to recognize differences in the quantity and quality of her cervical mucus by examining its appearance on her underwear, pads, and toilet tissue; or she may gently remove a sample of mucus from the vaginal opening using two fingers.

She may choose to have intercourse between the time of her last menstrual period and the time of change in the cervical mucus. During this period, it is recommended that she have sexual intercourse only every other day because the presence of seminal fluid makes it more difficult to determine the nature of her cervical mucus. If the woman does not wish to become pregnant, she should avoid sexual intercourse for three to four days after she notices changes in her cervical mucus.

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4. Symptothermal method

The symptothermal method is a natural birth control approach that combines certain aspects of the calendar, basal body temperature tracking, and mucus inspection methods to identify fertile days. Not only are all these factors taken into consideration, but also are other symptoms, such as slight cramping and breast tenderness. Some women experience lower abdominal discomfort (in the area of the ovaries) during the release of an egg (ovulation).

5. Ovulation indicator testing kits

A woman can use an ovulation prediction kit as a natural birth control tool to determine when she is most likely to ovulate. This special kit measures the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. Because luteinizing hormone promotes the maturation of an egg in the ovary, the amount of LH usually increases 20 to 48 hours before ovulation. This increase is called the luteinizing hormone surge, which can then be detected in a woman’s urine 8 to 12 hours later. The ovulation prediction kit is designed to measure the amount of luteinizing hormone in the urine.

There are several ovulation prediction kits sold at pharmacies that range from simple to complex. In the simplest kits, the woman urinates onto a test stick and the amount of luteinizing hormone is indicated by a color change. The intensity of the color is proportional to the amount of luteinizing hormone in her urine. A woman should begin testing her urine two to three days before she expects to ovulate based on the dates of her previous monthly cycles.

The optimum days for fertilization are the two days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation. The greatest chance of becoming pregnant is if intercourse occurs within 24 hours after the luteinizing hormone surge. Ovulation prediction kits are used primarily to increase the chance of a woman becoming pregnant, but they can also be utilized as a natural birth control tool. They indicate when a woman is about to ovulate, allowing her to take appropriate contraceptive precautions.

6. Withdrawal method

In the withdrawal method, the man withdraws his penis from a woman’s vagina before he ejaculates so that the sperm released from his penis does not enter her vagina. Withdrawal is also called coitus interruptus .

There are problems with using withdrawal as a natural birth control method. First, a man may release small amounts of sperm before actual ejaculation. Secondly, a man needs self-control and a precise sense of timing to be able to withdraw his penis from the woman’s vagina before he ejaculates. Because this can be difficult for the man to complete successfully, the withdrawal method is only about 75%-80% effective in preventing pregnancy.

7. Lactational infertility

Lactational infertility is a natural birth control method based on the idea that a woman cannot become pregnant as long as she is breastfeeding her baby. Indeed, a woman may not ovulate quite as soon after giving birth as she would if she were not breastfeeding. Women who are breastfeeding usually start ovulating again between 10 and 12 weeks after delivery.

However, this natural birth control method is not considered appropriate as a sole contraceptive measure. A nursing mother may start ovulating again and not realize she is fertile, as ovulation can occur before the return of her menstrual period. If this happens and the mother has unprotected sexual intercourse, she can become pregnant while still breastfeeding her baby. If a nursing mother does not wish to become pregnant again, she must start to use an appropriate method of contraception.

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8. Douching and urination

Vaginal douching is the use of a liquid solution to wash out mucus and other types of bodily debris from a woman’s vagina. Many women choose to make regular douching a part of their routine for maintaining vaginal hygiene. However, most doctors and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) do not recommend the practice.

Regardless of whether a woman does it for hygienic reasons, vaginal douching does not work as a natural birth control method. During intercourse, active sperm can reach a woman’s cervix and even the upper part of her uterus within five minutes of ejaculation. Douching after intercourse cannot be done soon enough to have any contraceptive benefits, and the douching could even force sperm higher up into the uterus. In addition, if a woman douches within 6-8 hours after using a spermicide, she may reduce the effectiveness of this contraceptive method.

Some women used to think that standing up and urinating immediately after sexual intercourse might reduce the chances of them becoming pregnant. They hoped that gravity might make it more difficult for sperm to swim “uphill” to the uterus and that the stream of urine running over their vaginal area would wash away sperm, similar to the process of douching. However, just like douching, urination after intercourse does not have any contraceptive value.

9. Abstinence

Abstinence from sexual activity as a natural birth control method means not having any sexual intercourse at all. No sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex means that there is no chance that a man’s sperm can fertilize a woman’s egg.

A man or a woman can practice abstinence from sexual activity for a specific period, or continuously throughout one’s lifetime. Abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Another significant benefit of abstinence is that it markedly reduces the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD ).

In this context, abstinence means refraining from vaginal, anal, and oral sexual activity because sexually transmitted infections can be passed from one person to another in any of these ways. It should be noted that sexual activity such as mutual masturbation and touching of the other partner’s genitals can, in some instances, transfer sperm during heavy mutual foreplay, possibly leading to pregnancy.

17 Best Home Remedies to Avoid Pregnancy

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• Video : How to Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Using Home Remedies
• How to Prevent Pregnancy Naturally At Home
• Other Natural Methods of Preventing Pregnancy
• Keep These Things in Mind While Using Natural Contraceptives

Many couples want to have children but only with proper planning. To prevent unwanted pregnancy, many women use contraceptive pills which have adverse effects on the body in the long run. There are also a number of home remedies that can help you prevent pregnancy. Of course, none of these methods is 100% effective; they are all just precautionary. So, it’s always best to practise safe sex as much as you can!

Video : How to Avoid Pregnancy Naturally Using Home Remedies

How to Prevent Pregnancy Naturally At Home

There are some methods of preventing pregnancy, which go hand-in-hand with the human body and medical science. Some of them are:

1. Have Sex During Your Safe Period

This method provides an added layer of precaution if you already have some kind of protection in place. You can avoid the ovulation days, which usually occur two weeks before the period. A good way to go about it is to consult a fertility expert to track your ovulation days and schedule your intercourse accordingly.

2. Practise the Start-Stop Method

The male partner can take care not to ejaculate inside his partner. This method requires practice, and there’s a risk that the sperm might somehow enter the vagina. Therefore, it’s better to do this along with other proven contraceptive methods.

3. Track Your Basal Body Temperature

Once your period ends, you can start tracking your basal body temperature. When ovulation begins, the temperature starts rising and peaks on the day of ovulation. You can avoid conception if you avoid sex during this period.

4. Look Out for Cervical Discharge

A woman’s body produces a transparent, jelly-like discharge in the days leading up to ovulation. Abstaining from sex during this period can prevent ovulation.

Other Natural Methods of Preventing Pregnancy

The following contraceptive methods are considered to be useful; however, there is no scientific evidence that they are 100% effective.

1. Papaya (Papita)

Some believe if you have unsafe intercourse, having papaya twice a day for the next 3-4 days may reduce the chances of an unwanted pregnancy. Some also believe that when the fruit is consumed by the male partner, it can reduce sperm count.

2. Ginger (Adrakh)

Ginger is believed to induce a period and prevent pregnancy. Some grated ginger boiled in a cup of water for five minutes can be strained and consumed twice a day. However, this remedy also does not guarantee results.

3. Apricot (Khubani)

Apricot is believed to prevent pregnancy in a natural way. Traditionally, about 100 gms of dried apricots are boiled in a cup of water with 2 tablespoons of honey. This concoction may be a great option for a beverage, but may not work to prevent a pregnancy though.

4. Dried Figs (Anjeer)

Figs promote blood circulation; however, no studies prove that eating dried figs after having unsafe intercourse can help prevent pregnancy. Also, overeating figs can cause an upset stomach.

5. Cinnamon (Dalchini)

Cinnamon is a great spice to add flavour to foods, but it is also believed to stimulate the uterus, and cause miscarriage. Once again, there is no evidence that it can prevent pregnancies, cause a miscarriage and can be used as a birth control method.

6. Juniper Berries (Aaraar, Haubera)

Juniper berries also make it to the list of remedies that many believe can help prevent pregnancy. You can relish the fruit when it’s in season, but in no way is it a natural contraceptive method.

7. Asafoetida (Hing)

Drinking 1/4th teaspoon of asafoetida mixed in water to avoid a pregnancy is another mid wives’ tale we do not recommend.

8. Parsley (Ajamod)

Parsley is also believed to be an effective home remedy to prevent pregnancy. However, no studies have proven that it is a mild herb.

9. Neem

Another old wives’ tale suggests injecting neem oil into the uterus to kill the sperm or taking neem tablets to promote temporary sterility in men. Again, there is no scientific proof that these remedies could work.

10. Pineapple

Some believe the properties of pineapple can prevent pregnancy; therefore, they suggest eating an unripe pineapple every day for 2-3 days after sex. Again, no study supports this myth, and the pineapple is better enjoyed as a delicious fruit in moderate quantities.

11. Buckwheat (Kuttu)

The rutin in buckwheat is believed to prevent implantation, but medical science doesn’t support this myth.

12. Wild Yam (Ratalu)

Eating a wild yam twice a day regularly for one or two months is also believed to work as a birth control remedy. But, it is just a belief and has no medical evidence that it can prevent a pregnancy.

13. Indian Turnip

Another home remedy to prevent a pregnancy is to mix a teaspoon of the dried and powdered root and mix it with half a cup of cold water. You may try it if you’ve had Indian turnip before; however, do not get your hopes up as it is not a proven remedy.

Keep These Things in Mind While Using Natural Contraceptives

There are certain things you should keep in mind when you use any of the above home remedies:

• If you’re looking for an effective way to avoid pregnancy and are considering any one of the above methods on a long-term basis, consult a gynaecologist.
• Many of the herbs and foods listed above are neither 100% effective nor 100% free from side effects. Some carry risks that may prove harmful in the long run.
• If you experience any abnormal health effects after taking the remedy, stop taking it.
• Make sure you eat healthily while taking any birth control measures.

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the home remedies to prevent unwanted pregnancy are not as effective as condoms, contraceptive pills or other medical contraceptive devices. Practising safe sex is always the best option. Consult your doctor so that you can proceed without anxiety or fear. After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

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