Skip to content
Our blog / Updates
29 March 2025

"Must know! How to accurately calculate the '7 days before, 7 days after' safe period. How to start counting correctly?


29 March 2025
Updates

"Many women may have heard of and chosen to use contraception through the '7 days before, 7 days after' method. The '7 days before, 7 days after' period is considered a relatively safe time for sexual intercourse without using protective devices to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy. However, the truth is that the '7 days before, 7 days after' method does not guarantee 100% protection against pregnancy, and many women are still confused about how to count the days and which days are considered the safe period.

Answering the question: How to accurately count the '7 days before, 7 days after' safe period?

The '7 days before, 7 days after' method is a basic natural contraception method that is considered safe for women whose menstrual cycle is regular without any irregularities. This method involves counting the days based on the woman's menstrual cycle.

'7 days before' refers to the 7 days before menstruation, while '7 days after' refers to the 7 days after the first day of menstruation.

For example, if Miss A's period starts on January 18, to count the '7 days before, 7 days after,' we would count 7 days before January 18 and 7 days after January 18.

'7 days before' would be from January 11 to 17, and '7 days after' would be from January 18 to 25.

Therefore, the safe period for Miss A, based on the '7 days before, 7 days after' method, would be from January 11 to 25.


7 days before and 7 days after

The '7 days before, 7 days after' (Fertility Awareness Method: FAM) is a natural contraception method that uses the principle of avoiding the days around ovulation to reduce the chance of pregnancy. This method is considered relatively safe for sexual intercourse without using protective devices or other contraceptive methods, as during this period, the uterus is in a state that is less likely to support pregnancy. Therefore, couples who are not ready to have children may choose this method of contraception.

The '7 days before, 7 days after' method can be broken down as follows:

  • 7 days before: This refers to the 7 days before the expected start of your next period.

  • 7 days after: This refers to the 7 days after the first day of menstruation.

However, while the '7 days before, 7 days after' method is a natural form of contraception, it is still considered to have a relatively low effectiveness compared to methods that use devices or medication. If a person relies on this method and the timing of their period is even slightly off, or if their period is not as expected, there is still a risk of pregnancy.


Precautions for the '7 days before, 7 days after' method:

The '7 days before, 7 days after' method of contraception is a birth control method, but it is not 100% effective and does not help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The following are some of the precautions and drawbacks of using this method of contraception:

  1. Less effective compared to other contraception methods: The '7 days before, 7 days after' method has a much lower effectiveness rate compared to other contraceptive methods, such as hormonal birth control or intrauterine devices (IUDs).

  2. Risk of infections or STIs: This method does not provide any protection against infections or diseases that may be transmitted through sexual activity.

  3. Not suitable for women with irregular menstrual cycles: This method is not ideal for those who have irregular periods, as it becomes difficult to accurately predict the fertile window and safe period for intercourse

สอนวิธีนับหน้า 7 หลัง 7 อย่างถูกต้อง

วิธีนับหน้า 7 หลัง 7 อย่างไร ไม่ให้พลาด

Many people may still be wondering, how exactly should the '7 days before, 7 days after' be counted? Let's look at the correct way to count the '7 days before, 7 days after':

  • 7 days before (หน้า 7): This refers to the 7 days before your next period starts. For example, if your period is expected to start on the 16th, the safe days would be 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

  • 7 days after (หลัง 7): This refers to the 7 days after the first day of your period. For example, if your period starts on the 16th, you would count the 16th as day 1, and then continue counting until you reach 7 days: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22.

**This method is only suitable for women whose periods are regular and predictable without significant variations.

Understanding 'Ovulation Day

Ovulation Day is a natural mechanism in the female reproductive system that occurs every month, typically within a 28-day cycle. The cycle begins with the first day of menstruation, which is considered day 1. By day 14, ovulation occurs, meaning that the most mature egg is released from the ovary and travels to the end of the fallopian tube. This is the period when the chances of conception are the highest.

Track Your Menstrual Cycle

Recording the number of days in each menstrual cycle requires tracking for at least 6-12 months. Start counting from the first day of your period until the first day of the next period. This helps you confirm when your period typically occurs each month, and when you can use the 'safe period' method, like the '7 days before and 7 days after' approach, for contraception


Precautions when using the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" Method

For the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" contraception method, while it is a form of birth control, it does not guarantee 100% effectiveness and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The following are precautions and disadvantages of this method:

  1. Less Effective than Other Methods: This method has a significantly lower effectiveness compared to other contraceptive methods.

  2. Risk of STIs: It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so there is a risk of infection if protection is not used.

  3. Not Suitable for Irregular Cycles: This method is not ideal for individuals with irregular menstrual cycles, as it relies on a predictable cycle for accurate calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions About the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" Method

Can the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" Method Help You Get Pregnant?

Yes, the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" method can also help with conception. When counting the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After," if the period coincides with ovulation and there is sexual intercourse during that time, couples planning to have a baby can increase the chances of pregnancy. It's important to note that combining this method with tracking ovulation days can increase the likelihood of conception.

If Using the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" Method with Withdrawal, Could You Get Pregnant?

As mentioned earlier, the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" method does not guarantee 100% effectiveness. In the case of withdrawal, there is still a chance of pregnancy. This is because, during sexual intercourse, pre-ejaculatory fluid (also known as precum) may contain sperm, which can lead to pregnancy even if the man withdraws before ejaculation.

If Using the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" Method with Ejaculation Inside, Could You Get Pregnant?

Yes, there is still a risk of pregnancy. Ovulation is not always predictable, and there can be timing errors in the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" method, which increases the chance of pregnancy if ejaculation occurs inside the vagina.

If You Have Sex During Your Period, Could You Get Pregnant?

While it is unlikely to get pregnant during menstruation, it is still possible under certain circumstances. Sperm can survive for up to 5 days in the female reproductive tract, so if a woman ovulates shortly after her period, there is a possibility that sperm may still be viable when ovulation occurs. However, having sex during your period is not recommended, as the cervix is open, increasing the risk of infections and diseases.

Conclution

The "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" method is considered less effective in preventing pregnancy compared to taking birth control pills, getting birth control shots, or having an implant. It is recommended to use protection during sexual intercourse alongside the "7 Days Before and 7 Days After" method to control pregnancy when not ready.

For those who wish to have children, plan their family, or prepare for pregnancy, you can consult with Beyond IVF or add the line @beyondivf for more information

Other success stories

Updates

มีลูกยาก คืออะไร? รักษาได้อย่างไร? หาคำตอบจากแพทย์ได้ที่นี่

Read the story
Updates

ฉีดเชื้อเข้าสู่โพรงมดลูก (IUI) คืออะไร? เรื่องน่ารู้เพื่อเพิ่มโอกาสมีลูก

Read the story
Updates

What is IUI - Procedures, Success Rates, and Costs

Read the story
Updates

Infertility: Causes, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatments

Read the story

The Biological Clock

This tool indicates:

  • Natural conception per month if you have no fertility issues
  • IVF success rate at the same age
  • When to seek help after months of unsuccessful attempts

If you are concerned at any stage – we recommend booking a doctor appointment or a free nurse consultation. The sooner you make a plan the better your chances in the long term.

When to seek advice early

  • If you have polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, or have been through a cancer diagnosis; we recommend you get in touch quickly so we can talk you through all your options and give you the greatest possible chance of success.
  • If you’re a single woman considering motherhood in the future; it’s best to approach us early and consider egg freezing as this can be an option for you while you have a higher ovarian reserve and healthier eggs.
Set your age and the months you’ve been trying to conceive
26
2
Your chance of having a baby per month for fertile couples
Your chance of having a baby per IVF cycle (if experiencing infertility)

Body Mass Index calculator

Being overweight or underweight can reduce fertility, so it is important to keep your body weight within the normal healthy range.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is an indication of your body weight and can be calculated by dividing weight by height. You should aim for a BMI of between 20 and 25, as this will optimise your chances of conception.

Woman’s BMI below 19

Even in these modern times, nature knows best. If a woman's BMI falls below 19, the body senses famine and ovulation is switched off to prevent the risk of having a baby with malnutrition. Excessive exercise can reduce body fat and increase muscle mass to a point where periods cease for the same reason. Risk of miscarriage is also increased in women with a low BMI.

Being underweight

If a woman's BMI falls below 19, the body senses famine and ovulation is switched off to prevent the risk of having a baby with malnutrition. Excessive exercise can reduce body fat and increase muscle mass to a point where periods cease for the same reason. Risk of miscarriage is also increased in women with a low BMI.

BMI’s greater than 30

This can reduce fertility by 50%. Pregnancy for women with a 30+ BMI is often associated with problems such as maternal diabetes, high blood pressure, big babies and increased risk of caesarean section.

Add your height and weight to calculate your BMI