Nature at Work The fertile days in the menstrual cycle were
discovered in the 1930s, by gynaecologists Hermann Knaus
(Austria) and Kyusaku Ogino (Japan). This laid the foundation
for modern methods of self-observation. Numerous aids were
developed to calculate the days on which a woman could become
pregnant, which were few in number. Knaus’ and Ogino’s findings,
while useful for purposes of both conception and contraception,
are not able to ensure complete effectiveness: the menstrual
cycle, being influenced by the emotions and other factors, is
not always regular. With regard to contraception, one must
remember that sperm cells are extremely hardy and can survive in
the Fallopian tubes for up to five days, during which time they
are capable of fertilising an egg. For this reason the rhythm
method of birth control is suitable solely for couples who want
to have a child eventually and are merely delaying conception.