X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

How Calendar-based family planning works for women with irregular periods

3 min read
How Calendar-based family planning works for women with irregular periodsHow Calendar-based family planning works for women with irregular periods

Just because your period is irregular, it doesn't mean you can't track your cycle and use fertility awareness for calendar-based family planning. Read on to learn more.

Calendar-based family planning methods work by monitoring a woman’s fertile periods throughout her menstrual cycle. Before switching to this method, which is hinged upon fertility awareness, you should monitor your cycle over the course of a few months to note its regular duration. Knowing how many days your cycle typically lasts helps you better determine when your fertile periods are.

According to research, women are fertile for about six days after their menstrual cycle. Within this period, ovulation or the release of eggs by the ovaries occurs.

It’s worth noting that sperm can remain in the fallopian tubes for about 5 days after ovulation, so you can get pregnant even until six days after having unprotected sex during your fertile period.

Tracking your menstrual cycle can be a challenge if your period is irregular.

How can you track menstrual cycles if you have an irregular period?

First, be diligent in recording your cycles. If you keep it at, a pattern will soon emerge. For instance, if your period happens every 45 to 50 days, or even every other month, you can use this to inform your family planning method. Even irregular periods can be predicted if you pay close attention. Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of your cycle.

You should also take note of your vaginal discharge or cervical mucus. This discharge usually becomes more abundant as you approach your ovulation period. Once your mucus is clear, stretchy, and thick, then you are ovulating.

Recording your basal body temperature is also a good way to monitor ovulation as well as urine tests and blood tests, which can be done by your doctor.

New Research Shows Fertility Treatment is More Effective Than Ever

photo: dreamstime

What are the benefits and disadvantages of calendar-based family planning?

Naturally, these methods are cost effective and have no known side effects. They require no procedure or medications and they help women become more aware about their fertility.

However, it does have disadvantages. It can become tedious to keep monitoring your cycle constantly. In some cases, other methods of contraception may be required and calendar-based methods only about 86 to 88 % effective when it comes to birth control.

How can I calculate my fertile and unfertile days?

First, it would help to know that there are two types of calendar-based methods: the Standard Days and the Calendar Rhythm method. The Standard Days method is for those whose periods are regular, which ranges from about 26 to 32 days.

The Calendar Rhythm method is more adaptable; it helps women plan pregnancies by helping them identify their fertile and infertile days. It’s important to emphasize that about six months of menstrual cycle monitoring should be done to pinpoint a pattern before choosing this a family planning method.

To compute when your fertile days are, subtract 18 from the shortest menstrual cycle within the six months you have been monitoring your irregular cycle. This is when your fertile period starts. For instance, your shortest cycle is 26 days, the start of your fertile period is 8 days after your first menstrual flow.

To know the end of your fertile period, simply subtract 11 from your longest cycle period. If your longest was 34 days, you would be infertile on day 25 of your cycle.

Partner Stories
Your Guide to Kids' Nutrition by Health Coach Tara Tan
Your Guide to Kids' Nutrition by Health Coach Tara Tan
Staycation Spotlight: 11 things you'll love about Marco Polo Ortigas
Staycation Spotlight: 11 things you'll love about Marco Polo Ortigas
Filipino culture and family traditions take centre stage in special Blue's Clues & You! episode
Filipino culture and family traditions take centre stage in special Blue's Clues & You! episode
We're oil in this together! Young Living stands as one with the nation in supporting our healthcare frontliners
We're oil in this together! Young Living stands as one with the nation in supporting our healthcare frontliners

Of course, consulting your doctor is the best way to know what works for you. It would help to be fully informed and know what your options are, especially when it comes to planning a family.

sources: Healthline, Virtual Medical Centre Australia, American Pregnancy Association, Livestrong.com

READ: 6 More signs that tell you that you’re at your most fertile

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Trying to Conceive
  • /
  • How Calendar-based family planning works for women with irregular periods
Share:
  • Unsaon paghimo calendar method?

    Unsaon paghimo calendar method?

  • Ang mga dapat malaman tungkol sa family planning

    Ang mga dapat malaman tungkol sa family planning

  • Sylvia Sanchez nangangamba sa paglipat ni Ria Atayde: "Pag bahay mo, hindi dapat maging tambayan."

    Sylvia Sanchez nangangamba sa paglipat ni Ria Atayde: "Pag bahay mo, hindi dapat maging tambayan."

  • Jamie Evangelista-Geisler kay Baron Geisler: “No one wants you here!”

    Jamie Evangelista-Geisler kay Baron Geisler: “No one wants you here!”

app info
get app banner
  • Unsaon paghimo calendar method?

    Unsaon paghimo calendar method?

  • Ang mga dapat malaman tungkol sa family planning

    Ang mga dapat malaman tungkol sa family planning

  • Sylvia Sanchez nangangamba sa paglipat ni Ria Atayde: "Pag bahay mo, hindi dapat maging tambayan."

    Sylvia Sanchez nangangamba sa paglipat ni Ria Atayde: "Pag bahay mo, hindi dapat maging tambayan."

  • Jamie Evangelista-Geisler kay Baron Geisler: “No one wants you here!”

    Jamie Evangelista-Geisler kay Baron Geisler: “No one wants you here!”

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pagbubuntis.