Introduction
One method of birth control that does not entail the use of drugs or technologies is the Fertility Awareness Method. It integrates the cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and calendar/rhythm methods. The natural contraception strategy is utilized to target the most fertile time for conceiving as well as the best period to prevent pregnancy.
What are Fertility Awareness Methods?
Monitoring your menstrual cycle, fertility awareness techniques help you determine when the ovaries produce an egg each month. This is ovulation. You are most likely to become pregnant during the fertile days that are close to ovulation. By abstaining from sexual activity or using another form of birth control, such as condoms, during those "unsafe," fertile days, people utilize FAMs to avoid getting pregnant.
You can monitor your fertility indicators with the aid of several different FAMs like:
- The Temperature Method: Involves taking your temperature each day before getting out of bed in the morning.
- The Cervical Mucus Method: Involves checking your vaginal discharge, or cervical mucus, once a day.
- The Calendar Method: Involves using a calendar to plot your menstrual cycle.
- Symptothermal Approach: Combining all three of these strategies yields the best results.
Natural Birth Control & Family Planning
Birth control strategies like family planning or Natural Birth Control helps you anticipate when ovulation will occur and when you should refrain from sexual activity without protection if you do not want to conceive. Tracking your temperature every day, monitoring changes in cervical mucus, and keeping an eye on other important reproductive indicators may all be part of this birth control approach.
Best ways to make these FAM’s effective:
When you use family planning methods and Natural Birth Control methods as effectively as possible, they work better. Both partners are responsible for how well they function, therefore it's critical that you both encourage one another and become proficient in the techniques.
The best results from effective family planning occur when:
- You understand how to use FAM methods properly, you work with a counselor, physician, or nurse who is knowledgeable about them.
- You have the time and self-control to track your cycle and look at your fertility indicators every day.
- Avoiding vaginal sex or using another kind of birth control during your fertile days is acceptable to you and your partner.
- Combining the calendar, cervical mucus, and temperature approaches is the most effective way to use FAMs.
For instance, if your temperature chart becomes confused due to illness or stress, it may be helpful to monitor your cervical mucus trend. Additionally, you may be able to reduce the number of fertile days you have each month by combining multiple methods.
What are the benefits & drawbacks that come with being aware of fertility?
Benefits:
- Effective if done correctly and consistently: If a couple can accurately monitor fertility signs, including basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and menstrual cycles, FAM is extremely effective in the prevention as well as promotion of pregnancy.
- Unlike hormonal contraceptives: No drugs or medications are used in the provision of FAM; therefore, there are no side effects like weight gain, mood change, and other hormonal imbalances among its users.
- Its reversibility is immediate: Like all other methods, couples can initiate or desist without waiting for the adjustment of their bodies because the contraceptives may take weeks or months to regain fertility once they have been discontinued.
- Extremely inexpensive, even free: Many FAM methods use only a thermometer, or may use a calendar or app. There is no recurring cost for prescriptions or for any device.
- No equipment, drugs, Rx, or office visits: FAM is based upon self-monitoring and education and not on medical interventions.
- It does not contain estrogen: Many hormonal drugs already contain estrogen, which can increase risks for health in several ways. FAM is safer for those who are anxious about those risks.
- Accepted for those with religious restriction: FAM observes the belief of most religions about their repulsion to artificial contraceptives; therefore, it is an appropriate method for couples to have family planning according to their beliefs.
- Helpful for couples trying to get pregnant: Awareness of the fertile window allows them to more accurately time intercourse, thereby increasing their chances of conception.
Drawbacks:
- Makes both partners dutiful: The logical extension of that means FAM works best with both partners making an effort and working together, which may be challenging, especially in a fast-paced lifestyle or if one partner is relatively uninterested.
- Some methods require periods of abstinence or backup contraception: This may be problematic, and other methods will require consistent and accurate record-keeping, which involves a great deal of time, attention, and knowledge about cycles of the body.
- It is much tougher for the irregular cycle: Those who don't have periods which recur at the same time every month will find tracking fertility confusing, thus progressively harder to accurately tell when to expect fertile and non-fertile days.
- Easy learning curve: The principles of FAM, if correctly pinpointed, take time and education, thus it may discourage some users in the beginning.
- Limited efficacy with specific medical conditions: Women with conditions that impact menstrual patterns, such as PCOS or endometriosis, may find FAM less effective due to irregular cycles.
Conclusion
If you have regular cycles and keep diligent track of your fertility indicators, FAMs can be a very useful approach to learn about your body. A lot of FAM users also like that there are no negative side effects. However, it can also be challenging to use properly, and they won't function well if your menstrual cycle is erratic.
When someone refers to "natural" birth control, they may mean a method that doesn't include hormones. Check out the copper IUD or Condoms or other contraceptive methods if you're not into FAMs but still want a very effective hormone-free birth control option.
