An unwanted pregnancy is one of the greatest concerns for women of reproductive age. Although there are several methods of contraception, the truth is that none of them on its own is 100% effective.

After all, beyond avoiding an unwanted pregnancy, the goal should also be the woman’s health, including protection from sexually transmitted infections.

So, let’s take a look below at how you can avoid an unwanted pregnancy and safeguard your health.

Monitoring ovulation

This is the oldest and most widely known method of contraception—avoiding intercourse during a woman’s fertile days. The problem with this method is that it has high failure rates because no woman can know with absolute accuracy which day she is ovulating.

Ovulation occurs roughly in the middle of the cycle, or 14 days before the next period. For most women, whose cycles last between 27–32 days, this is not very easy to determine.

Unless you use ovulation tests, which detect LH with 100% accuracy and indicate that ovulation will occur within the next 24–36 hours. This method is very effective because after ovulation, the chance of pregnancy is zero.

See ovulation tests

However, keep in mind that sperm can survive for several days inside the female reproductive system. Therefore, the days before ovulation are generally considered risky, and intercourse should be avoided on those days.

Of course, we should note that this contraceptive method does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so it must be combined with other protective measures.

Contraceptive methods

Contraceptive methods are divided into several categories:

  • Hormonal methods: The most common is the contraceptive pill, but there is also the contraceptive implant. A doctor’s consultation is always required beforehand.
  • Condom: This is the only contraceptive method that also protects against sexually transmitted infections.
  • Intrauterine device: Commonly known as the “coil” or IUD, which prevents implantation in the endometrium.
  • Surgical methods: Vasectomy for men and tubal ligation for women, recommended only for those who do not wish to have children in the future.


What should I do after intercourse to avoid pregnancy?

If an accident happens during intercourse, it is natural for a woman to feel anxious. There is a common belief that unwanted pregnancy can be prevented through various methods, such as showering after intercourse or using spermicidal products.

However, the effectiveness of such methods is zero. The only effective method is emergency contraception (also known as the morning-after pill). This is a strong pharmaceutical product that prevents implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus and must be taken within a few hours or days after intercourse. It is not a regular contraceptive method and should always be used under medical supervision.


If you suspect that you may be pregnant and are looking for ways to manage an unwanted pregnancy, it is essential to speak with your doctor as soon as possible. With a pregnancy test you can find out from the first day of a missed period whether you are pregnant, so you can then discuss your options with healthcare professionals.