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Which days can I avoid pregnancy?
Dear Anai,
When is it safe not to get pregnant? I heard many things like before or after or 7 days after your menstrual cycle or only when the male ejaculates or if you both finish at the same time or there is only one day each month. What's true?
Need to know,
V.R.
Dear V.R.,
Although the average 28 day cycle has an ovulation window at or around 14 days prior to the next period, certain factors can change the timing. For this reason, no day is technically safe when trying to avoid pregnancy.
Take Egg White Cervical Mucous (EWCM) for example. It presents itself days prior to ovulation and can harbour sperm safely until ovulation. And while ovulation itself only lasts for up 24 hours, the EWCM allows sperm to live longer by opening the gateway to the cervix and finally to the fallopian tubes where they await for the egg. This leaves little chance for egg to die before having a chance of conception.
Look into your birth control options and find one that works for you and your partner. Remember to always use condoms even if you decide on the Pill. Pregnancy is not the only life altering situation you may encounter when having unprotected intercourse.
Consult with your doctor on options and get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) while you are there. Symptoms are not always present, so getting tested is important.
Thank you for writing!
Anai Rhoads
21 May 2003
©2003 Anai Rhoads. All rights reserved.
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