The Billings method is one of the natural methods of family planning and involves the observation of cervical mucus. Based on its appearance and consistency, a woman can tell when her fertile days are. The effectiveness of the Billings method after 1 year of use is estimated at 78%, and with very careful observance of its principles, even at 97%.

The Billings Methodis a natural pregnancy prevention method based solely on the observation of the mucus produced by the cervical glands. Its consistency and appearance change during the monthly cycle, which allows you to determine the fertile and infertile days. This natural method of contraception requires the woman to have a good understanding of her own physiology and make careful daily notes of changes in mucus appearance - otherwise its effectiveness is low. Therefore, before starting the use of the Billings method, it is worth devoting one cycle to learning to observe the body signals, and to start intercourse only after establishing your model of infertility.

Billings method - history

The name of this contraceptive method comes from the name of its creators - a married couple of Australian doctors John and Evelyn Billings. In the 1950s, they drew attention to the changes in the consistency of cervical mucus in women depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. After examining hundreds of patients, doctors were able to determine the average set of features that characterize mucus on each day of the cycle. Soon Dr. Billings's wife, Evelyn, developed a simple tutorial on the method and began training doctors. It is currently one of the most popular methods of Natural Family Planning (NPR).

Billings method - determining the infertility model

Changes in the cervical mucus can tell you which days after menstruation are infertile, when your fertile period begins, what days your period is at its peak and end, and which days after ovulation are infertile. However, in order to correctly read these signals, it is necessary to establish your infertility model. There are 2 basic models:

  • dry- when you feel vaginal dryness and no discharge after your period;
  • wet- when vaginal discharge with constant features is observed after menstruation(usually it is tight, dense and sticky).

This condition (dry or slightly damp) indicates infertility. The fertile days begin when a change in the appearance of mucus (for the wet model) or its appearance (for the dry model) can be observed.

According to an expertRafał Karwowski, a resident physician, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology

Effectiveness of the Billings method

Natural methods of family planning, including the aforementioned Billings method, are based on the observation of physiological symptoms present in particular phases of the cycle and on periodic avoidance of intercourse in the so-called fertile days. Hormonal changes change the nature of the mucus, which in turn allows you to identify the days to abstain from sex.

Correct use of methods based on periodic avoidance of intercourse is associated with quite high efficiency. However, any deviation from the strict rules of when it is possible to have sex, and when not, will significantly reduce the effectiveness of the Billings method.

What should you know about contraception?

The phases of the menstrual cycle and the appearance of mucus

After establishing your model of infertility, you can start observing the cervical mucus. This should be a discharge that collects at the entrance to the vagina and not from the inside (as there is constant mucus in the vagina). In addition to assessing the appearance, you should pay attention to the sensations accompanying each phase of the cycle: whether in intimate places we feel wet, wet, dry, etc.

Here are the characteristic features of the cervical mucus in the various phases of the cycle:

  • infertile days after menstruation:mucus is absent or thin, thick, sticky, cloudy, has a dense, jelly-like consistency. May feel damp in intimate places;
  • the beginning of fertile days:mucus changes its characteristics - it becomes thinner, more slippery, transparent, stretches when touched (threads are formed), resembles the consistency of a hen's egg white. Such a discharge gives a clear feeling of wetness, slippery in intimate places and creates the best conditions for the survival of sperm in the reproductive tract;
  • peak fertility:the last day when the mucus is slippery and transparent, and in the vestibule of the vagina you can feel a lot of wetness. Ovulation takes place the next day. The fertility peak can only be determined after changing to a more viscous, cloudy mucus;
  • end of fertility:occurs 3 days after the peak of fertility (the last day of the appearance of fertile mucus). During this time, the mucus is as it was during the infertile days aftermenstruation (scanty, thick, sticky, cloudy);
  • infertile days after ovulation:post-ovulation infertility begins on the 4th day after the peak fertility and lasts until the onset of menstruation. The mucus then has the same features as after menstruation or is absent.
Important

The observation of cervical mucus may be hampered by the following factors:

  • too tight, artificial underwear, which increases sweating of intimate places, which makes it difficult to assess the feeling of moisture;
  • using tampons and rinsing the vagina, which dry the mucosa;
  • intimate infections manifested in the form of abnormal vaginal discharge.

Billings method - when to have intercourse?

The absolute infertility phase begins on the 4th day after the fertility peak. From then on, until the onset of menstruation, sexual intercourse was unlimited. The time after menstruation until the onset of fertile mucus is considered the phase of relative infertility - most women do not risk pregnancy during this period. However, if the cycles are short (less than 26 days) then it is recommended that you refrain from intercourse during and after menstruation.

Billings method - observation diary

The effectiveness of the Billings method depends largely on the accuracy of the observations. That is why it is worth keeping a diary in which we will record the features of the mucus in each phase of the cycle. The observation table should include a column with the date, a breakdown into individual days of the cycle, a fertility or infertility symbol (it is most convenient to mark them with colors) and a place for handwritten notes about the appearance of the mucus and the feeling of moisture or dryness. The description should be written in the evening and only the discharge from the vaginal opening (not from the inside) should be considered. The data can be applied to a ready cycle observation chart used when applying the symptothermal method.

According to an expertRafał Karwowski, a resident physician, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology

Who is the Billings method recommended for?

The Billings method can be successfully proposed to motivated couples, either because of religious reasons or a reluctance to use hormonal contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Consistent application of natural methods of family planning, however, requires a great commitment not only of the woman, but also of her partner, and it becomes a lifestyle that is often difficult to accept. A large number of days to avoid intercourse (often exceeding 10 days), irregular menstrual cycles making it difficult to properly assess symptoms, lack of time and careless conducta diary that causes a significant reduction in effectiveness means that many couples often abandon natural methods of family planning.

This will be useful to you

Billings method - advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

  • costs nothing,
  • does not change the natural functioning of the female body,
  • can also be used when trying to become pregnant,
  • can be used by women with irregular cycles.

Cons:

  • is not very effective, especially if the woman does not know her physiology and is just learning to observe mucus (therefore, to increase the effectiveness of the Billings method, it is recommended to combine it with the thermal method),
  • requires you to refrain from intercourse
  • its effectiveness decreases in the event of unforeseen symptoms, e.g. an intimate infection (the observation of mucus may then be difficult).

Category:

Pregnancy