How Do Fertility Awareness-Based Methods Prevent Pregnancy?

Fertility awareness-based methods (FAMs) are ways to track ovulation — the release of an egg — in order to prevent pregnancy. Some people call FAMs "natural family planning."

Learn more at: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/fertility-awaren...

Category:

Education

Tags:

• birth control
• natural family planning
• fertility awareness method
• FAM
• pregnancy
• prevention
• contraception
• menstruation
• Planned Parenthood

[ohheydarciemae1121]

I have an app on my iPod that tells me my highest risk of pregnancy, ovulation, and next expected period. It's called appboxlite. I love it.

[Stephie2007]

i've tried the calendar and got bored using it. I don't know what cycle beads are. they might be easier than a calendar (if i don't lose them or end up playing with them to keep my mind busy) however I have an electronic calendar on my cell phone and that usually helps when it doesn't have an alarm

[dragqueenenthusiast]

Yay CycleBeads! I use these for my regular birth control. According to the site (and my personal use) they are 95% effective. I've never had any scares. Plus they're incredibly easy to use, so it's diffcult to use them incorrectly. A quick tutorial teaches all you need to know, not terribly complex. They can be used to plan a pregnancy too, which will come in handy one of these days... I love Planned Parenthood~

[angelfoodcake1979]

There was a European study about FAM in 2004 and the PI was 0.4. Very comparable safety to the pill!

However, it's best to do a course to learn this method, as modern day life doesn't exactly teach us to pay much attention to our body's language.

Just remember that FAM has NOTHING AT ALL to do with the old rhythm method (which is just a statistical statement about averages) and you can do it even if you have irregular, unusual length cycles, POC, post pill, p, partum and approaching menopause!

[NiamhWitch]

I love using FAM! I've learned so much about my body. FAM helped us to conceive our daughter when we were trying to get pregnant, and after she was born we use FAM as birth control. I love knowing when I am and am not fertile and SEEING my method of birth control working. It helps me feel more in control.

Charting using symptothermal methods (monitoring waking temp, cervical fluid, and position) is *not* the Rhythm Method! Google "TCOYF" for the great book that teaches this method! ;-)