Standard Days Method of Birth Control

What is the Standard Days Method?

The standard days method is a calendar based method of fertility awareness. 'Calendar based' in this sense means that the fertile window is a set number of days (cycle days 8-19) in the case of 26-32 day cycles.

 

How Do I Practice the Standard Days Method?

The standard days method, with the use of CycleBeads, can solely be used by people with 26-32 day cycles.

CycleBeads includes a black rubber ring designed to slide over one bead per cycle day, and contain 33 beads in the following order:

• 1 black bead
• 1 red bead
• 6 brown beads
• 12 white beads
• 13 brown beads

Place the rubber ring over your red bead when cycle day 1 begins (menstruation). Each bead indicates one cycle day, excluding the beginning black bead with a direction arrow.

The brown beads indicate your infertile window. This means you have an extremely low chance of becoming pregnant during this time.

White beads indicate you are in your fertile window. You may use this time to either try to conceive, abstain or use a barrier method to prevent pregnancy.

How Much Does It Cost?

CycleBeads cost approximately $35.

What Are The Side Effects?

You will not get any side effects by using CycleBeads for the standard days method of birth control.

How Effective Is it?

95% Effective with perfect use, 5% Failure rate

88% Effective with typical use, 12% Failure rate

Do not use this method of birth control if you:

• Have just given birth
• Are breastfeeding
• Are using any hormonal contraceptives or intrauterine devices
• Have irregular cycles
• Are going through any major life/diet changes