How to Avoid Getting Pregnant

With proper care, attention and knowledge, avoiding pregnancy is a challenge all women can meet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Birth Control Pills
• Cervical Caps
• Diaphragms
• Lubricated Latex Condoms
• Spermicides

1. Steering clear of genital-to-genital contact with men - though not the preferred solution for everyone - is the most surefire way to avoid conception.
2. For other methods, know some basic body facts: Ovulation is when an egg is released into the fallopian tube, where conception usually takes place. If your cycle is regular (many are not), you'll ovulate about 14 days before you expect your next period.
3. Learn to recognize your body's signs of ovulation, including tender breasts, clear and stringy discharge or, for some women, a twinge in the lower abdomen. Be extra careful during that time.
4. Settle on a birth control strategy (pill, cap, diaphragm, shot, implant, condoms - so many to choose from!) and stick with it every time. Every time.
5. Avoid getting lax and falling off the birth control wagon. If you don't like the method you've chosen, find another contraceptive you like better and stick with it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a steady partner, sharing responsibility with him (he reminds you about the pill, he buys the diaphragm jelly) is an excellent way to improve your success rate.
• About three-quarters of conceptions occur the day of or the day before ovulation, but sperm can live in the body for up to five days. So sometimes, though infrequently, a woman might have unprotected sex on Monday, not ovulate until Friday, and still get pregnant.
• If your cycle is irregular, be especially vigilant about using birth control. You just don't know when your body might be releasing an egg.