Biology · Reproductive Health · NEET
It is a natural method by CLASSIFICATION, because it uses no drug or device. But its ACTION is hormonal: intense breast-feeding raises prolactin, which suppresses ovulation, so menstruation is absent (amenorrhea). NEET has tricked students on this: in the 2019 question 'which methods involve a role of hormone?' the answer included lactational amenorrhea. So remember both facts: type = natural, mechanism = hormone (prolactin blocks ovulation). It works only up to about 6 months after childbirth.
NCERT says couples abstain from coitus from day 10 to day 17 of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation happens around day 14 (mid-cycle), and sperm plus ovum can survive a few days, so chances of fertilisation are highest between day 10 and 17. This window is called the fertile period. Abstaining only during these days prevents conception. Memorise 'day 10 to 17' exactly, because NEET can ask the number range.
In periodic abstinence the couple avoids coitus completely during the fertile period (day 10-17). In withdrawal (coitus interruptus) coitus happens, but the male partner withdraws the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation so that semen (sperm) is not deposited. Periodic abstinence times WHEN, withdrawal controls WHERE the sperm goes. Both are natural because they simply stop sperm and ovum from meeting.
No. Vaults, diaphragms and cervical caps are BARRIER methods, not natural methods. They are rubber devices inserted to cover the cervix and physically block sperm. NEET 2024 asked which is NOT a natural method, and the answer was 'Vaults'. Only three names are natural/traditional: periodic abstinence, withdrawal (coitus interruptus) and lactational amenorrhea. Anything that is a device or drug is not natural.
They have no side effects because nothing enters the body: no hormone, no copper, no rubber, no surgery. But their failure (pregnancy) rate is high because they depend on correct timing and self-control. Ovulation day can shift, and withdrawal can fail if some sperm leak before ejaculation. So NCERT presents them as safe but less reliable than pills, IUDs or barriers.
Which of the following is not a natural/traditional contraceptive method?
Which of the following contraceptive methods do involve a role of hormone?
Match List I (methods of contraception) with List II (their actions): (a) Diaphragms (b) Contraception Pills (c) Intrauterine Devices (d) Lactational Amenorrhea | (i) Inhibit ovulation and implantation (ii) Increase phagocytosis of sperm within uterus (iii) Absence of menstrual cycle and ovulation following parturition (iv) Cover the cervix blocking entry of sperms
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
Periodic abstinence (no coitus from day 10 to 17), withdrawal or coitus interruptus (the male withdraws before ejaculation), and lactational amenorrhea (intense breast-feeding stops ovulation for up to 6 months after childbirth).
Day 10 to day 17 of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation is around day 14, so chances of fertilisation are highest in this window. Avoiding coitus during these days prevents conception.
Yes. Withdrawal and coitus interruptus are the same method. The male partner withdraws the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation so that semen is not deposited and insemination is avoided.
It works reliably only up to about 6 months after childbirth, and only when breast-feeding is intense. During this time high prolactin suppresses ovulation, so no menstruation occurs. Once feeding reduces or 6 months pass, ovulation can return and pregnancy becomes possible.
No, because no drug, device or surgery is used. Nothing enters the body, so there are no side effects. Their drawback is a higher chance of failure since they depend on correct timing and self-control.
