Fertility Awareness Method (also known as the rhythm method)
What
is the fertility awareness method?
Fertility awareness
is a means of understanding a woman's reproductive cycle
by observing and writing down fertility signs. These signs determine whether
or not she can become pregnant on a given day. A woman is actually fertile during
only about a fourth of her cycle. This method is a great way for a woman to learn
more about her body, but it is not recommended for teens.
What are the three primary fertility signs? They are a woman's temperature
when she first wakes up; her cervical fluid (the fluid at the mouth of a woman's
womb);
and the position of her cervix. The fertility awareness method permits a woman
to use this information so that she may abstain from intercourse when she is
most fertile. The failure rate among women who use this method perfectly is
two to three percent; while the failure rate among most women who use this
method
is 13 to 20 percent.
Before Ovulation
- Waking
temperatures remain low.
- Cervical
fluid looks similar to raw egg white and becomes wet
and then dry.
- Cervix
rises and becomes softer and open.
After Ovulation
- Waking temperatures rise for 12 to 16 days.
- Cervical fluid quickly dries up after ovulation.
- Cervix quickly drops and becomes firm and closed after ovulation.
What are the advantages of the fertility awareness method?
- The
fertility awareness or symptothermal method helps a
woman track and improve PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
symptoms.
- It
empowers women with practical knowledge.
- The
method helps a woman know when during her cycle to
have sex to become pregnant or to avoid pregnancy,
depending on her goal.
- It
is useful in conjunction with other contraceptive methods,
such as barrier contraceptives (such as condoms)
and withdrawal.
What are the
disadvantages?
- This
method provides no protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted
infections.
- The
method involves daily charting of fertility signs.
- It
requires discipline for a number of days in the cycle
if a woman chooses to avoid sex rather than use a barrier
contraceptive during her fertile days.
- As
a contraceptive, this method is unforgiving of improper
use. If a woman has sex when this method tells her
to abstain, she is very likely to become pregnant.
- Abstinence is
required at the time in a woman's cycle when her sexual
urge is usually at its peak.
Where
do I go to learn about the fertility awareness method?
Some
clinicians and some family planning clinics can help
you. An excellent book which has marvelous graphics
is called Taking
Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to
Natural Birth Control and Pregnancy Achievement,
by Toni Weschler; HarperPereniel a division of HarperCollins Publishers.
Another excellent book is the Fertility
Awareness Handbook by
Barbara Kass-Anesse.
(Note: To order one of the books, simply click on
its hyperlinked title. You will be taken to Amazon.com,
where you'll be able to purchase the book you selected.
Advocates for Youth will receive a five percent royalty from the sale.)
Adapted from Hatcher RA et al. Contraceptive Technology. 18th rev. edition. New York, NY: Ardent Media, 2004.
Additional Information >> Contraceptive Choices
Chart Comparing the Effectiveness of Various Methods :: Contraceptive
Myths & Facts :: Local Clinics & Hotlines
 Send this page to a friend >>
|
