Given below are two statements:
Statement I: In periodic abstinence, couples avoid coitus during the days of the menstrual cycle when ovulation could be expected.
Statement II: The days around ovulation are called the fertile period because the chances of fertilisation are very high then.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
Periodic abstinence is a natural method of contraception. It is based on the time in the menstrual cycle when an ovum is likely to be present.
Statement I: In periodic abstinence, couples avoid coitus during the days of the menstrual cycle when ovulation could be expected. — True. Couples abstain from coitus in the middle days of the cycle, when ovulation is expected, so that the ovum and sperms do not meet.
Statement II: The days around ovulation are called the fertile period because the chances of fertilisation are very high then. — True. An ovum is present around ovulation, so fertilisation is most likely in these days. NCERT calls this the fertile period.
So both statements are correct.
NCERT Extract:
Population Stabilisation and Birth Control – “Natural methods work on the principle of avoiding chances of ovum and sperms meeting. Periodic abstinence is one such method in which the couples avoid or abstain from coitus from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle when ovulation could be expected. As chances of fertilisation are very high during this period, it is called the fertile period. Therefore, by abstaining from coitus during this period, conception could be prevented.”