[keekopeeko]

How many days before you O do you avoid or use protection?? I read somewhere that sperm can live up to 7 days?? or was it 5?? I usually O on day 13-14.. So i was thinking that using protection on days 8-16 would be fine.. but im second guessing myself..

~Em

[ShawnaCAN]

Sperm can live up to 5 days, but only if cervical mucus is present at the time of intercourse. We use the Billings Method rules for avoiding. So we use alternate nights until the CM starts, then avoid until 3 days after ovulation is confirmed.

I would go by your fertile signs rather than what cycle day it is. What if you ovulate earlier or later than usual?

[LJD3Tdance]

Yeah, what Shawna said, I don't think there are many of us using the rythum style, so we avoid differently than by cycle days...

[benandali]

Yeah, I wouldn't put too much confidence in just blocking out a set amount of days. All sorts of things can affect ovulation and even a one day difference could get you another baby!!
Good example: Before the kids I always had regular cycles. I knew exactly when I would get my period. The month of our wedding though it did not come. I was all worried and freaking out that I would get it on our honeymoon but thankfully it came a week late. All the stress of finalizing wedding plans affected it.