Fertility Awareness Method to Prevent or Achieve Pregnancy

The fertility awareness method (FAM), also known as natural family planning, is a natural method of birth control that relies on tracking a woman's menstrual cycle to determine when she is most likely to become pregnant. By understanding the signs and symptoms of ovulation, couples can use this method to either avoid or achieve pregnancy without relying on other forms of contraception.

One of the key benefits of the fertility awareness method is that it is completely natural and hormone-free. This makes it a great option for women who may have had negative experiences with hormonal birth control methods. Additionally, the method can be used to increase awareness of one's own body and reproductive health, as it requires paying close attention to the changes that occur during the menstrual cycle.

The fertility awareness method revolves around identifying ovulation. Ovulation occurs one day of each menstrual cycle and pregnancy can only occur on this day. However, sperm can live in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days. This means that if intercourse happens 5 days before ovulation, but the sperm is still present the day ovulation occurs, pregnancy may result. This window of time is known as the “fertile window”. Understanding when your fertile window is can help to either achieve or avoid pregnancy.

Identifying ovulation can, and should, be done by utilizing several different methods:

• Calendar tracking: Tracking your menstrual cycle can help to identify the approximate window of ovulation. Ovulation typically occurs 14 days prior to the start of bleeding, by subtracting 14 days from the start of bleeding, you can identify the approximate date of ovulation. The fertile window would include the 5 days prior to that date and 1-2 days after. While helpful, this method alone is not enough to positively identify ovulation as not all women follow this pattern of ovulation.
• Cervical mucus tracking: Cervical mucus and discharge can vary in texture and quantity throughout the menstrual cycle, depending on ovulation. Tracking the quality and texture of cervical mucus can be a reliable way to identify when ovulation occurs.
• Basal body temperature tracking: Basal body temperature is your base temperature first thing in the morning. Minor changes in basal body temperature occur after ovulation. By tracking this, we can identify when ovulation has occurred.
• Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs): OPKs specifically track a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormone is responsible for triggering ovulation to occur. When we see a spike in this hormone, ovulation is expected to occur withing 24-48 hours. This method may be unsuitable for people who have chronically elevated LH, such as in conditions like PCOS.

While the fertility awareness method can be effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly, it is not foolproof. It requires a high level of commitment and diligence, as well as ongoing communication between partners. It is always recommended to initiate tracking methods for several months before using it as the main source of pregnancy prevention. Additionally, it may not be a good option for women with irregular menstrual cycles or those who have difficulty tracking their symptoms.

Ovulation tracking can be very empowering for women whether you’re trying to avoid or achieve pregnancy. It is always best to speak with a physician for guidance on how to implement FAM into your life. By tracking changes in the menstrual cycle and understanding the signs of ovulation, women can take control of their reproductive health and make informed decisions about their fertility.

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