The combined use of all three rhythm techniques of contraception.
Any of several methods of family planning that do not involve the use of drugs (e.g., oral contraceptives), devices (e.g., diaphragm or intrauterine device), or surgical intervention (sterilization). In natural family planning methods several ways are used to determine the time of ovulation and thus the fertile period in a woman’s menstrual cycle and that information is used to increase or decrease the chances of conception by avoiding or engaging in coitus at the fertile time.
Prevention of pregnancy by abstaining from sexual intercourse when conception is likely to take place. Most women ovulate and are most fertile in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Complicating matters, the first half of the menstrual cycle is more variable than the second half, making it difficult to predict exactly when a woman will ovulate. Using the rhythm method successfully requires a couple’s absolute ability to identify the fertile time and follow the rules of the method. However, about 25 percent of those using the rhythm method have an unintended pregnancy within a year.