10 Birth Control Options without Birth Control Pills

If you’re sexually active and you’re not ready to be a parent, it’s important to learn how to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

Abortion comes with a high cost, not only financially and physically, but emotionally as well.

And is it really worth the continuous worrying and fear every time you’ve had sex that you might have gotten pregnant?

No, it’s not. Getting pregnant and becoming a parent is one of the biggest decisions one can make in life – and one of the biggest responsibilities.

So this should not be taken lightly, which means learning how to avoid pregnancy when you’re not ready is extremely important.

10 Tips for Birth Control without Pills

Here are 10 tips for you to consider:

1. Track your menstrual cycles

During a menstrual cycle, there are certain days when you’re fertile and likely to get pregnant. And there are certain days when you’re dry and not very likely to get pregnant.

If you want to use the natural rhythm method for birth control, you really need to track your menstrual cycles and know which days are safe for sex without protection.

 To learn more, read When Is It Safe to Have Unprotected Sex.

2. Know when you ovulate

Since the fertile days are a couple of days before and a couple days after you ovulate, the most important thing to know for natural birth control is when you ovulate. There are three ways you can do this:

a. Use ovulation strips

Ovulation strips can help predict when you ovulate. They’re very accurate and easy to use.

b. Track your vaginal discharge.

Your cervical mucus also provides a clear indication of your fertile days. Read What Does Your Vaginal Discharge Tell You.

c. Use ovulation charts.

There are three types of ovulation charts: menstrual cycle ovulation chart, cervical mucus ovulation chart, and BBT ovulation chart.

Learn how to use these three types of ovulation chart.

3. Use a male condom

On your fertile days, you should definitely use protection, for example, an extra thin male condom.

I know many guys don’t really like condoms because they reduce the pleasant sensations of naked sex. But using them just on the fertile days may make it more tolerable for you and your partner.

4. Use a female condom

you can wear a female condom. It’s inserted into the vagina and held in place by the usual male penetration.

Many men and women seem to like the female condom better than the male condom because they do not seem to reduce the desirable sexual pleasure. I haven’t tried it myself so please check out other women’s reviews.

5. Use a contraceptive gel

Another option is to use Contraceptive Gel. It kills the sperm without the discomfort of either male or female condoms.

6. Back up with an emergency contraceptive

If you have unprotected sex on your fertile days without protection, you can try to take a morning-after pill, such as Emergency Contraceptive 1 Tablet.

I don’t recommend using it as a regular method for birth control. As the name suggests, it’s meant to be used in an emergency situation.

7. Take a pregnancy test

If you think there’s a chance that you may be pregnant, take a pregnancy test as soon as possible. The earlier you know, the more options you have.

Read How Do You Know if You’re Pregnant, which explains the common signs of an early pregnancy.

8. Make an informed decision

If you get pregnant unexpectedly, you need to think through the available options – whether to keep the pregnancy or have an abortion.

This is a very important decision, so you need to do what’s the best for you given your situation, and try to make peace with your decision, whatever that may be. The support of your partner, family and friends is incredibly helpful at this time.

9. Explore the abortion options

If you decide not to keep the pregnancy, you need to explore the various abortion options.

Generally speaking, abortion pills are used when the time of abortion is within 9 weeks from the first day of your last period, and surgical abortions are used when it’s within 12-14 weeks. Learn more…

10. Find a support group

When things are getting difficult, remember that you’re not alone. Many women have gone through similar situations, and they can help guide you, and support you. A support group such as the wonderful Cycle Harmony Community is here when you need it.

Your body is sacred. And if you don’t cherish it, no one will.

I hope this article gives you a starting point to explore natural birth control options without the pills. It’s also a journey to honor your menstrual cycles, and your sacred goddess within. A journey we’re on together…