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contraception : natural methods
Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)
The Symptothermal Method
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Fertility Awareness is a means of understanding your reproductive system by observing and writing down fertility signs. These signs determine whether or not you can become pregnant on a given day. You are actually fertile during only about one-fourth of your menstrual cycle. It is a great way to learn more about your body.

What are the primary fertility signs?
The three primary fertility signs are your temperature when you first wake up; your cervical fluid (the fluid from your cervix, at the base of the uterus); and the position of your cervix. The Fertility Awareness Method permits you to use this information so that you can abstain from intercourse when you are most fertile.
Before ovulation:
  • Waking temperatures remain low.
  • Cervical fluid is initially dry after menstruation, then becomes wet and similar to raw egg white.
  • The cervix rises and becomes softer and open.
After ovulation:
  • Waking temperatures rise for 12-16 days.
  • Cervical fluid quickly dries up.
  • The cervix quickly drops and becomes firm and closed.


Advantages:
  • Using FAM helps you track and improve PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms.
  • It empowers you with practical knowledge.
  • If pregnancy is your goal, it helps you know when your most fertile days are so that you can have sex on those days.
  • This method is useful in conjunction with other contraceptive methods such as barrier contraceptives and withdrawal.
Disadvantages:
  • Using FAM requires daily charting of fertility signs.
  • This method requires discipline for a number of days in your cycle, in particular if you choose to avoid sex rather than use a barrier contraceptive during your fertile days.
  • Using this method provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections, so it is best to use this method only if both you and your partner are monogamous and free of infection.
  • As a contraceptive, FAM is unforgiving if used incorrectly. If you have sex when this method tells you to abstain, you are very likely to become pregnant.
  • Abstinence is required at the time in your cycle when your sexual urge is usually at its peak.


Where can I learn more about the Fertility Awareness Method?
Some clinicians and family planning clinics can help you. Two good books include:  Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control and Pregnancy Achievement by Toni Weschler, or Fertility Awareness Handbook by Barbara Kass-Anese.

What if I'm using the Fertility Awareness Method and I have sex at an unsafe time?
For 72 hours AFTER unprotected sex, you can take emergency contraceptive pills to avoid becoming pregnant. For up to 7 days AFTER unprotected sex, you can have an IUD put in. Not all clinicians know about emergency contraception. If you want more information or would like the phone numbers of clinicians near you who prescribe emergency contraception, CALL the toll-free hotline 1-888-NOT-2-LATE or 1-800-584-9911. Some of these sources of help are free. 		  natural methods
abstinence
fertility awareness
 -symptothermal
 -temperature charting
breastfeeding
outercourse
coitus interuptus 		 
Last Update: 09/10/2004
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