The rhythm method involves figuring out when your body is most likely to get pregnant and then avoiding sex during those times. You can do this by taking your temperature in the morning (your temperature goes up during ovulation), examining your cervical mucus (sorry, we had to list it), and charting your periods on a calendar (learn how to at the Planned Parenthood site). Although the rhythm method is a good predictor of ovulation, "good" does not equal "great," especially for women whose menstrual cycles aren't predictable. Furthermore, sperm can live in the body for up to 7 days, and therefore, practicing a natural method perfectly means that you will have to abstain from sex for 10 days or more during every menstrual cycle. The benefit of the rhythm method, however, is that if you're trying to get pregnant, you'll know exactly when you should do the deed.
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