FAQ
How does this work!?
The basic principle behind Cycle Charting / Fertility Awareness is knowing whether or not you are fertile (able to conceive) on a given day. Sperm can live for a maximum of five days and an egg can live for one, and it is possible to release two eggs up to 24 hours apart. So, you are fertile for about 7 days each cycle. If you are trying to conceive, you can maximize your chances of conception by using fertility awareness to make sure that you have intercourse on your most fertile days. If you are using fertility awareness to avoid pregnancy, you will avoid unprotected intercourse on your fertile days.
The basic principle behind Cycle Charting / Fertility Awareness is knowing whether or not you are fertile (able to conceive) on a given day. Sperm can live for a maximum of five days and an egg can live for one, and it is possible to release two eggs up to 24 hours apart. So, you are fertile for about 7 days each cycle. If you are trying to conceive, you can maximize your chances of conception by using fertility awareness to make sure that you have intercourse on your most fertile days. If you are using fertility awareness to avoid pregnancy, you will avoid unprotected intercourse on your fertile days.
Is Fertility Awareness right for me?
Fertility Awareness can be used by all menstruating people. This is true regardless of your age (unless you have not yet started menses or have already finished menopause), your sexual orientation, whether or not you have children, whether or not you are currently breastfeeding, whether or not you are super busy, etc. This practice only takes a few minutes a day and it can change your life! Men who were AFAB and have a uterus may also be interested in learning fertility awareness, so please don't hesitate to contact me!
Fertility Awareness can be used by all menstruating people. This is true regardless of your age (unless you have not yet started menses or have already finished menopause), your sexual orientation, whether or not you have children, whether or not you are currently breastfeeding, whether or not you are super busy, etc. This practice only takes a few minutes a day and it can change your life! Men who were AFAB and have a uterus may also be interested in learning fertility awareness, so please don't hesitate to contact me!
What does this require?
Cycle charting means that you record/chart your basal body temperature and cervical fluid observations every day.
If you are cycle charting to either avoid pregnancy or conceive, you will also:
Please note that it usually takes women at least three cycles of charting before they feel comfortable using fertility awareness for contraception. During the time that you are learning how to interpret your observations, please continue to use a barrier method, abstinence, or your choice of intercourse “alternatives” ;)
Cycle charting means that you record/chart your basal body temperature and cervical fluid observations every day.
If you are cycle charting to either avoid pregnancy or conceive, you will also:
- Interpret these signs to determine if you are fertile that day.
- Act accordingly (whether you are trying to avoid pregnancy or trying to conceive).
Please note that it usually takes women at least three cycles of charting before they feel comfortable using fertility awareness for contraception. During the time that you are learning how to interpret your observations, please continue to use a barrier method, abstinence, or your choice of intercourse “alternatives” ;)
Is the Fertility Awareness Method the Same as the Rhythm Method?
No! The rhythm method involves predicting when you are going to ovulate based on your past cycle history. For example, your past cycles averaged 30 days long you might assume that you always ovulate on Day 16. However, every woman is different and every cycle is different, which means this is an educated guess at best. And not surprisingly, it’s a highly ineffective form of contraception! Fertility awareness is based on observations that you made that day—there is no guessing!
Unfortunately, many health care providers do not understand this difference, and use the terms “fertility awareness” and “rhythm method” interchangeably.
What is the Symptothermal Method?
The Symptothermal Method is a specific, highly effective Fertility-Awareness-Based Method (FABM). It is called symptothermal because cervical fluid is considered a “symptom” of fertility, and you will be taking your temperature each morning (therm = heat). These are the two things that we observe and record every day to answer the question, “Am I fertile?”
How Effective is Fertility Awareness as Contraception?
A 2007 study that followed 900 women over the course of a year found the symptothermal method of fertility awareness to be 99.6% effective when used correctly (Frank-Herrmann et al., 2007). These women were taught by certified Fertility Awareness Educators, and did not engage in intercourse during fertile times. If using barrier methods during fertile times, you rely on the efficacy of that method (e.g.., condoms) and accept a higher risk.
No! The rhythm method involves predicting when you are going to ovulate based on your past cycle history. For example, your past cycles averaged 30 days long you might assume that you always ovulate on Day 16. However, every woman is different and every cycle is different, which means this is an educated guess at best. And not surprisingly, it’s a highly ineffective form of contraception! Fertility awareness is based on observations that you made that day—there is no guessing!
Unfortunately, many health care providers do not understand this difference, and use the terms “fertility awareness” and “rhythm method” interchangeably.
What is the Symptothermal Method?
The Symptothermal Method is a specific, highly effective Fertility-Awareness-Based Method (FABM). It is called symptothermal because cervical fluid is considered a “symptom” of fertility, and you will be taking your temperature each morning (therm = heat). These are the two things that we observe and record every day to answer the question, “Am I fertile?”
How Effective is Fertility Awareness as Contraception?
A 2007 study that followed 900 women over the course of a year found the symptothermal method of fertility awareness to be 99.6% effective when used correctly (Frank-Herrmann et al., 2007). These women were taught by certified Fertility Awareness Educators, and did not engage in intercourse during fertile times. If using barrier methods during fertile times, you rely on the efficacy of that method (e.g.., condoms) and accept a higher risk.
More questions? Let me know!