How to calculate safe days to avoid being pregnant

Don’t feel like you are ready for a baby yet? Well, you need to learn when you are safe to avoid falling pregnant.

You could as well use other family planning methods but if for some reasons you prefer not to, then understanding your safe days would help. But you must take some months to clearly study your cycle so that you can predict your safe days. However, family planning methods such as injections, implants, and condoms are more reliable. Emergency contraceptive is also not as effective and should only be used in emergency cases.

ALSO READ: 5 ways you can still get pregnant even after taking P2

Let’s just get into the real thing, shall we?

Tracking your period

To start with, for accurate predictions, you should track your periods for at least six months. It’s easier if your periods are regular.

It’s also important to note that this method works best for women with a menstrual cycle ranging from 26-32 days. If your cycle is shorter or longer, it is advisable to use other family planning methods.

The first day of your menstrual cycle is the day you start bleeding and the end of it is the day you get your next period.

Calculating safe days

So, assuming your cycle runs for 28 days, then your first seven days are safe. If you bleed for seven days, then you might not be lucky unless you don’t mind period sex. But if you bleed for like four days, at least you still have three days to have sex without fears.

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Day 8 to day 21 of your cycle are considered unsafe and you should not have unprotected sex. Given that ovulation begins around day 12 to 14, you are most fertile all through to day 21. So you can also have safe sex from then up to when you get your next period.

It’s important to remember that this method works best for women with a 28 days cycle or less. It’s also important to talk to your doctor first before settling on this method as your family planning alternative.