Method
Natural methods: calendar, withdrawal and fertility awareness
Quick answer
Natural methods are free and hormone free, but they are much less reliable than modern methods. In typical use, about 12 in 100 couples using the calendar (Standard Days) method and about 20 in 100 using withdrawal get pregnant in a year, compared with fewer than 1 in 100 with an implant or IUD. They work best for couples with regular cycles who can avoid sex or use condoms on fertile days.
Key facts
- Calendar (Standard Days), typical use
- 88% [src]
- Calendar, perfect use
- 95% [src]
- Withdrawal, typical use
- 80% [src]
- Withdrawal, perfect use
- 96% [src]
- Cost
- Free. Health centers offer counselling.
- STI protection
- None
WHO describes fertility awareness methods and withdrawal as less reliable than modern methods [src]. That does not mean useless. It means you should choose them knowing the numbers, and have a backup plan.
The calendar method (Standard Days Method)
The calendar method means avoiding unprotected sex on the days you are most likely to be fertile. The version with the clearest evidence is the Standard Days Method: if your cycles are usually 26 to 32 days long, you avoid unprotected sex on days 8 to 19 of every cycle, counting the first day of your period as day 1 [src]. Many health centers teach it using colored CycleBeads.
Who it suits
- People with regular cycles in the 26 to 32 day range
- Couples who can agree to avoid sex, or use condoms, for 12 days every cycle
- People for whom a pregnancy would not be a crisis
Who it does not suit
If your cycles are irregular, if you recently gave birth, are breastfeeding, recently stopped a hormonal method, or have PCOS, the counting will not line up with your fertile days [src]. In those cases, talk to a health worker about another method.
Effectiveness: with perfect use about 5 in 100 get pregnant in a year; with typical use about 12 in 100 [src].
Other fertility awareness methods
Other methods track body signs rather than counting days: checking cervical mucus every day (the TwoDay and ovulation methods), or taking your temperature each morning before getting up (basal body temperature), or combining them (symptothermal) [src]. They take training and daily attention, and effectiveness depends heavily on how carefully they are followed. Health centers and some church-run programs offer counselling.
Period-tracking apps that only predict days from past cycles are a form of calendar counting. They can be wrong, especially if your cycles vary.
Withdrawal ("pull out")
Withdrawal means the man pulls out and ejaculates away from the vagina and genitals. It costs nothing and needs no supplies, but it depends entirely on timing and self-control every single time. In typical use about 20 in 100 couples get pregnant in a year, among the highest of any method [src]. Pre-ejaculate fluid can also carry sperm.
If withdrawal is what you use now, adding condoms or switching to a pill or implant cuts your risk a lot.
If he did not pull out in time
A copper IUD put in within 5 days is the most effective emergency option [src]. Talk to a doctor today. See our emergency contraception guide.
Herbs, vitamins and pineapple juice
Searches like "herbal para hindi mabuntis" and "pineapple juice para hindi mabuntis" are common. No herb, vitamin, juice or drink is a reliable way to prevent pregnancy [src]. Washing after sex or peeing after sex does not work either. Read more in herbal para hindi mabuntis.
Trying to get pregnant instead?
Knowing your fertile window helps when you want a baby. Our ovulation calculator is built for people trying to conceive: it estimates your most fertile days from your cycle length. It is not designed as birth control and cannot tell you which days are safe.
Natural methods vs the pill
| Method | Typical use | Perfect use | How often | Hormones | Free at health centers | Price range (PH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar method | 88% | 95% | Every day | None | Counselling or supply, subject to stock | Free |
| Withdrawal | 80% | 96% | Every time you have sex | None | Not applicable | Free |
| Male condom | 87% | 98% | Every time you have sex | None | Counselling or supply, subject to stock | ₱38.75 to ₱53.75 |
| Combined pill | 93% | 99.7% | Every day | Estrogen + progestin | Counselling or supply, subject to stock | ₱53.25 to ₱1,437.50 |
| Implant | 99.9% | 99.9% | Every 3 to 10 years | Progestin only | Counselling or supply, subject to stock | ₱200 to ₱10,500 |
Pregnancies per 100 women in the first year of use. Source: WHO Family Planning Handbook comparison table (Trussell data, also used in the CDC effectiveness chart). [src] The calendar figure is for the Standard Days Method.
Modern methods are free at barangay health centers, subject to supply [src], so cost does not have to be the reason to stay with natural methods. If you want to compare options that fit your life, take the find my method quiz.
Three legal routes
Want something more reliable?
If natural methods feel too risky, pills, injectables, implants and IUDs are far more effective, and most are free at health centers. Pick the route that suits you. For adults 18 and over.
Free at a health center
Barangay health centers, RHUs, DOH hospitals and Likhaan. Subject to supply.
See an OB-GYN in person
Clinic visit, prescription in hand. Bring it to any licensed pharmacy.
Online consult
A licensed doctor by video or chat. From ₱700 on some platforms.
Online consult options
For adults 18 and over. Fees are set by each provider and can change.
Frequently asked questions
Effective ba ang calendar method para hindi mabuntis?
Medyo, pero hindi kasing-epektibo ng modern methods. Sa karaniwang paggamit, mga 12 sa bawat 100 ang nabubuntis sa isang taon. Kailangan regular ang regla mo at iiwasan ang sex o gagamit ng condom sa fertile days.
Can you get pregnant from pre-cum?
Yes, it is possible. Fluid before ejaculation can carry sperm, which is one reason withdrawal fails in real life.
Does the calendar method work with irregular periods?
Not well. The Standard Days Method is only for people whose cycles are usually 26 to 32 days long. If your cycles are irregular, another method is more reliable.
Do herbs, vitamins or pineapple juice prevent pregnancy?
No. No herb, vitamin or juice is a reliable contraceptive.
Can an app or ovulation calculator stop me getting pregnant?
Our ovulation calculator is designed for people trying to conceive. It estimates fertile days but cannot tell you when it is safe to have unprotected sex.
This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or switching birth control.
Sources
- Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, WHO and Johns Hopkins CCP
- Family planning / contraception methods (fact sheet), World Health Organization
- Emergency contraception (fact sheet), World Health Organization
- DOH reminds public family planning services are free at public hospitals, Daily Tribune, 12 Jul 2025