Contraception

Methods of Contraception: Contraceptive Methods for Women: “Rhythm”

Basal Temperature
In order to gain at least some certainty, a woman can use two different strategies (and many women who practice the "rhythm method" actually use both at the same time): First, she can take her body temperature with a special thermometer every morning before getting out of bed. This is called the basal temperature. Before each ovulation, there is a slight drop in body temperature followed by a slight rise for the rest of the menstrual cycle. By comparing her temperature-records of at least six previous months, the woman can calculate the time of her next ovulation. A second way of finding the "unsafe" days consists in keeping a calendar record of menstrual cycles for at least eight months.