OVULATION METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL

Abstract

The ovulation method of birth control 1st advanced by Ds. John and Evelyn Billings of Australia in 1952 is described. Cervical mucus has certain characteristics that can be identfied between each menstrual cycle. The secretion of mucus that is thick and yellow or cloudy signals an ovulatory phase. The mucus is clearer and more watery the closer to ovulation but it also can be stretched into a fine thread. Other signs of ovulation are: 1) breast tenderness 2) pain on either side of lower abdomen 3) spotting and 4) rise in basal temperature. The safe days are the few dry days following menstruation and about 10 days prior to menstruation. Advocates of the method rate it high in efficiency some as high as 98% reliable. The advantages include lack of: 1) cost 2) physicians prescription 3) pharmacologic or mechanical interference with body processes 4) ease of instruction 5) sharing of cooperation between 2 sexual partners and 6) reversibility of method to assist couples in fertility. The disadvantages are: 1) period of abstinence required 2) unreliability for impetuous women 3) lack of protection in rape or incest and 4) interference of baginitis in womans ability to make an accurate observation.