How do I use The Rhythm Method?
The method works in three ways which can be used independently or in combination with each other. Firstly, a calendar can be drawn up with the beginning of every period marked out on a specific date, in order to obtain an idea of the number of days between each period. Once these statistics are gathered, the shortest and longest number of days between periods should be noted. You then subtract 18 from the shortest number and then 11 from the longest. Thus, you will be left with two numbers which represent two dates within a month (i.e. 8 and 21 become 8th and 21st) You have thus identified the fertile period of the month and the dates outside of it as the less fertile. In doing this, it is of crucial importance that the intervals between periods are carefully calculated.
Alternatively, temperature readings can be taken at a regular time everyday. This is because body temperature should rise by half a degree on the day following ovulation, due to the presence of the progesterone hormone. The temperature should ideally be taken in the morning, following at least five hours of uninterrupted sleep. Once three increasingly higher readings have been recorded within a month, the ovulation process has taken place and you are now entering the less fertile stage of the cycle. The only issue with this method is that it doe not allow you to identify the first infertile phase of the month.
The other more basic method of planning occurs through the simple monitoring of vaginal discharge. This is because, during ovulation, there should be a stringy, mucus thread which emanates from the vagina. The stringy quality of the mucus indicates ovulation. Following careful monitoring of this substance and its state, production should peak. Once this peak is recorded, four days will pass before the female enters the second less fertile phase of the cycle.