Abstract
Background and objectives: In our country about 20% of couples are using natural methods of family planning or none of the family planning methods. The Standard Days Method is a fertility awareness-based method of family planning in which users avoid unprotected intercourse during cycle days 8 through 19. The aim of this experimental study was to determine the use-effectiveness of the combined contraceptive methods: Standard days method, condom and emergency contraceptive pills.
Materials and Methods: A total of 240 women, age 17-40 years, in rural area in the west of Tabriz city, with self- reported cycles of 26-32 days, desiring to delay pregnancy at least one year were admitted to the study. After teaching the method to the subjects, they followed-up for 12 months to complete the study or excluded from study. Pearl pregnancy rate was used to determine percentage of protection of unplanned pregnancy.
Results: Analysis of data indicated that 117 women didn’t get pregnant until the end of study (12 months). Only 8 women got pregnant, and a total of 1956 woman-months out of 240 women was calculated. So first-year pregnancy rate was 4.91% and percentage of protection of unplanned pregnancy was 95.09 irrespective of correct or incorrect use.
Conclusion: the results show that this combined method may be an effective and acceptable method for couples.