Is “seven before and eight after” a safe contraceptive method? The "contraceptive remedies" spread on the Internet are not advisable

Can cola kill sperm? Can applying musk tiger bone paste on the lower abdomen or drinking floral water prevent pregnancy? Recently, a heated discussion on the topic of contraception has been set off on an online forum. While discussing how to prevent pregnancy scientifically and effectively, many netizens are also actively recommending various "folk remedies" and "family tricks."

In order to provide a basis for scientific contraceptive methods, the China Population Publicity and Education Center of the National Population and Family Planning Commission and the Marvelon brand under Merck China recently jointly launched the country's first contraceptive blue book - "Blue Care Intimacy Guide". The guide brings together renowned experts in the field of reproductive health from home and abroad, and uses an easy-to-understand approach to systematically target the public's misunderstandings about contraceptive methods and carry out scientific contraceptive knowledge education, such as the use of modern short-acting oral contraceptives.

At present, there are indeed many netizens willing to share their contraceptive methods and experiences with others, but many of them are not necessarily scientific and reasonable. Some "folk remedies" have no scientific basis and lead to a very high risk of unwanted pregnancy.

Recipe 1: Coke kills sperm, drink floral water for contraception

Original post on the Internet: Many foods can be used as contraceptives: for example, cola can kill sperm, eating 49 persimmons can be used as contraceptives, and even drinking floral water can have a contraceptive effect.

Expert correction: There is currently no definitive evidence that any certain food can be a natural contraceptive. Floral water is a perfume product made from floral oil and alcohol. It can only kill bacteria, prevent prickly heat and relieve itching. It cannot be eaten and cannot be used for contraception.

Recipe 2: Take emergency contraceptive pills regularly

Original post from the Internet: Every time after sex, my boyfriend tells me to take an emergency contraceptive pill.

Expert correction: Emergency contraceptive pills are a method of contraception used to prevent pregnancy within a period of time after unprotected sex or failure of contraceptive measures. Emergency contraceptive pills contain large amounts of hormones, which can cause great harm to the human body. They should not be taken more than three times a year and no more than once a month. They cannot be used as a regular method of contraception.

Recipe 3: Safe contraception with seven times before and eight times after

Original post on the Internet: The seven days before and eight days after menstruation are safe periods.

Expert correction: The so-called "safe period" is very short. For women with a 28-day menstrual cycle, this "safe" period is only about 1 week. The failure rate of the safe period contraceptive method is as high as 14.4%-47%, and it is not suitable for irregular menstrual cycles, visiting relatives, and changes in living environment. Relatively speaking, taking short-acting oral contraceptives is more reliable. We advocate that women adopt scientific and reliable contraceptive methods.

Recipe 4: Apply musk tiger bone paste on the lower abdomen

Original post on the Internet: According to a traditional folk secret recipe, musk can prevent pregnancy, so sticking a plaster next to your belly button during sex is not as harmful as taking medicine!

Expert correction: Musk has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, which may cause miscarriage in women, but it cannot be used for contraception.

Recipe 5: Breastfeeding period = safe period

Original post on the Internet: I have finally waited for the natural contraceptive period of breastfeeding, and now the ban can be lifted!

Expert correction: Women have the characteristic of "ovulation first and menstruation later", so even during breastfeeding, you should pay attention to contraception. In particular, new mothers who breastfeed less frequently every day, or whose milk is thin or insufficient within six months of breastfeeding, or whose breastfeeding period exceeds six months must pay attention to contraception. A considerable proportion of women become pregnant inexplicably during breastfeeding, which not only affects breastfeeding, but also makes them more likely to face consequences such as abortion.