How does it work? of Natural family planning

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For each menstrual cycle, a woman is fertile for only 24 hours. However, because sperm can live inside the body for up to a week, the actual fertility period is around eight or nine days. An egg is released about 12 to 16 days before the womanâ€™s next period.

The fertility period is worked out by keeping a diary of body temperature (which rises slightly after ovulation â€“ the period when an egg is released from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes), cervical secretions (discharge becomes clear, like egg white) and the length of menstruation, over several months. The woman must then avoid sexual intercourse during the fertile times to avoid pregnancy.

Women who have recently given birth may not need to use any form of contraception. For this to be effective the woman must have had a baby less than six months ago, be fully breastfeeding (not feeding the baby in any other way), and not be having any periods.