A couple chooses a fertility awareness based method. The woman's cycles range from 26 to 32 days. Under the Standard Days Method, she must avoid unprotected intercourse on which days of her cycle?
- A Days 1 to 7
- B Days 14 to 21
- C Days 8 to 19 ✓
- D Days 18 to 25
Correct answer: C. Days 8 to 19
Explanation
The Standard Days Method identifies days 8 through 19 as the fertile window for women with regular cycles between 26 and 32 days, accounting for sperm survival of up to 5 days and ovum survival of 24 hours around mid-cycle ovulation. Days 1 to 7 are safe because conception cannot occur that early, and days 20 onward are safe because the ovum is no longer viable. Cycles outside the 26 to 32 day range make the method unreliable.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.