Can I use ovulation tests as a natural contraception?

[HeyMacWey]

Just had the mirena taken out and definitely don't want to get pregnant.

Dh is going to use condoms but I'm conscious about the 1% failure rate.

Could I use the ovulation tests as a way to know if I'm fertile and then avoid sex during that period.

I have ovulation pains anyway so would know roughly when I was fertile.

Does anyone do this as an extra 'precaution'?
I guess I'm extra worried as we conceived our dcs first time and I really don't want another.

I want to avoid hormone related contraception atm for health reasons so don't really have many other options. Dh doesn't want a vasectomy although that may change when he gets bored of condoms.

[marne2]

I would say if your using condoms and you know when you ovulate you should be fine ( though nothing's 100% proof ).

I havn't been using contraception since having dd2 8 years ago, I know when I ovulate and dh never finishes the deed inside me ( sorry if TMI ).

[natureplantar101]

condoms splitting is a myth. watch a video on how there made

[HeyMacWey]

Thanks - feel a little bit irresponsible not using a more long term contraception. Daft isn't it? But after 25 years of being either on the pill or coil I guess it's going to feel strange.

[katandkits]

Sperm can survive five or so days in your body and standard ov tests only give you a positive a day or two before so you could very easily get pregnant. To be safe you would probably need to avoid six days up to and including ovulation. The persona monitor would be the safest way but the sticks are expensive. I personally would feel safer with condoms. It is quite hard to avoid your fertile period, nature makes your sex drive higher then!

[katandkits]

Copper coil is non hormonal and extremely reliable, have you considered that?

[FishWithABicycle]

Definitely not as a sole method but as a backup to condoms it can help. It's just that this means avoiding sex on the days when all your hormones and all the cells in your body are crying out for a shag, which is a shame.

If you feel you never want to be pg then there are a much greater number of permanent non-hormonal options these days.

[Gunpowder]

Rather than use opks you could chart, which would be cheaper and more reliable. Toni Wechsler's Taking Charge of Your Fertility is excellent.

[Gunpowder]

*using

[temporaryusername]

Using ovulation as a guide is not reliable. It may not be worth the bother if you are using condoms, because it won't make a significant difference. Doesn't seem to make sense to try and back up a 1% failure rate with something that has a much greater failure rate.

[Gunpowder]

FAM (fertility awareness method) can be 99% accurate if used consistently and correctly and you include temping as part of your charts. You have to be very, very motivated though.

[HeyMacWey]

Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll do some research.

I've used the copper coil before I was pregnant but it made my periods too heavy to consider using again.

fish what other non hormonal methods other than sterilisation are there? I'm ultra sensitive to anaesthetic atm so don't want to go down that route yet.

[katandkits]

There is only condoms and diaphragm. Diaphragms have an unacceptable failure rate in my opinion. If you have a regular cycle you could look into temperature charting but as said above, you have to be very dedicated. Persona is easier but test sticks expensive and success rate is only 94% assuming you actually abstain when told to. Most condom failures are user error, if you folow the instructions every time they are very safe. You could double up condoms and diaphragms but that seems unnecessary to me.