Calendar method: Birth control, calendars, and effectiveness
Written by Jennifer Gray
Jennifer Gray
Jennifer Gray is an award-winning writer with more than five years’ experience covering reproductive topics ranging from birth control to planning pregnancy. She is passionate about providing women with accurate information grounded in science they can use to take charge of their own health - while also dispelling myths that exist within the field of women’s health. She holds a Master of Science from the University of Edinburgh and currently lives in Ireland.
Fact checked by Agathe van Lamsweerde, Scientist at Natural Cycles
Agathe van Lamsweerde
Agathe van Lamsweerde, holds a Master's in Mathematical Engineering from KU Leuven and EPFL, and works as a Data Scientist at Natural Cycles in Geneva. Her role entails developing in-house algorithms and collaborating with global research teams to challenge stigmas in women’s reproductive health.
Key takeaways:
- Calendar methods are a basic form of fertility awareness that function by counting cycle days to work out the fertile window
- There are multiple types of calendar methods, including the rhythm method and the Standard Days Method
- Calendar methods require a six-month monitoring period and are not suitable for those with irregular cycles
Calendar methods are a type of natural birth control. Although the term ‘calendar method’ is sometimes used to refer to the rhythm method, it actually represents a whole family of contraceptive techniques. Calendar methods rely on the principle of counting cycle days to work out when you’re most fertile. With this information, you can choose to abstain from sex or use protection on days when there’s a risk of pregnancy. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to use these methods and the risks and benefits involved.
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