Is the safe period safe?
Disease description:
I have learned about the concept of the "safe period," which is said to be the time during a woman's menstrual cycle when she is less likely to become pregnant. However, I am skeptical about this claim, as many cases of contraceptive failure seem to be related to the safe period. I would like to ask: Is the safe period truly safe? How reliable is it?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
The rhythm method of contraception is not absolutely reliable. A woman's ovulation cycle can be influenced by various factors such as emotions, environment, and health status, any of which may cause changes in the timing of ovulation. Therefore, even during the traditionally defined "safe period," a woman may still ovulate and become pregnant. The failure rate of the rhythm method is relatively high, and it is not recommended as a primary contraceptive method.
Women using the rhythm method should accurately record their menstrual cycles to better estimate the safe period. To improve contraceptive effectiveness, the rhythm method can be combined with other contraceptive methods, such as condoms or intrauterine devices (IUDs). For women with irregular menstrual cycles or gynecological conditions, the rhythm method is even less reliable and should be avoided as much as possible.
Given the risk of failure associated with the rhythm method, women should be mentally prepared and ready to take prompt remedial measures if contraception fails. If there is no plan for pregnancy, it is recommended to use reliable contraceptive methods to ensure safety.
