How to use the counting days method

For this method to work, you cannot have sexual intercourse from the 8th day of your cycle through the 19th day of your cycle. If you have sexual intercourse during this time, you must use another method of family planning.

You can use beads, a chart, or some other tool to remember your fertile days. String 32 beads, of 3 different colors, into a necklace. Each color bead can represent a different part of your cycle:

• A red bead marks the first day of your monthly bleeding.
• 6 blue beads show days when sexual intercourse will not usually cause pregnancy.
• 12 white beads show your fertile time — when sexual intercourse can cause pregnancy.
• 13 more blue beads show days when sexual intercourse will not usually cause pregnancy.

On the first day of your monthly bleeding, put a ring or string around the red bead. Each day, move the ring past one bead. When the ring is on any of the white beads, you may get pregnant if you have sexual intercourse. Whenever you start your next monthly bleeding, move the ring back to the red bead at the start.

Sources

• Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
• Audiopedia ID: en020512