Family Planning

Ovulation MethodIMPORTANT: If a woman has a vaginal infection or another conditionthat changes cervical mucus, this method may be difficult to use.Check cervicalsecretions dailyóThe woman checks every day for any cervicalsecretions on fingers, underwear, or tissuepaper or by sensation in or around the vagina.Avoid unprotectedsex on days ofheavy monthlybleedingResumeunprotected sexuntil secretionsbeginAvoid unprotectedsex whensecretions beginand until 4 daysafter “peak day”Resumeunprotected sexóóóóóóOvulation might occur early in the cycle,during the last days of monthly bleeding, andheavy bleeding could make mucus difficult toobserve.Between the end of monthly bleeding andthe start of secretions, the couple can haveunprotected sex, but not on 2 days in a row.(Avoiding sex on the second day allows time forsemen to disappear and for cervical mucus tobe observed.)It is recommended that they have sex in theevenings, after the woman has been in anupright position for at least a few hours and hasbeen able to check for cervical mucus.As soon as she notices any secretions, sheconsiders herself fertile and avoids unprotectedsex.She continues to check her cervical secretionseach day. The secretions have a “peak day”—thelast day that they are clear, slippery, stretchy,and wet. She will know this has passed when, onthe next day, hersecretions are stickyor dry, or she hasno secretions at all.She continues toconsider herselffertile for 3 daysafter that peak dayand avoidsunprotected sex.The couple can have unprotected sex on the4th day after her peak day and until her nextmonthly bleeding begins.250 Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers