What
is the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)?
The FAM actually involves a combination of methods that aim to predict
when a woman will ovulate. These methods include a woman taking
her basal body temperature and observing her cervical mucus. By
carefully recording these observations, she can avoid intercourse
during the time when she ovulates and is most likely to become pregnant.
Or, if a woman wants to become pregnant, FAM can also be used to
choose a time when intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy.
How
does FAM work?
Simply counting the number of days to the middle of a woman's menstrual
cycle, also called the Rhythm Method, is not an accurate way to
prevent pregnancy. Ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before
a woman's next period, and the length of a woman's cycle can change
from month to month depending on things like stress or illness.
So counting forward from a woman's last period is not much help.
When
talking about fertility, we have to consider both the life of the
egg and the life of the sperm. An egg lives in a woman's body for
about 1 day while sperm can live in a woman's body 3 to 5 days.
Conception is most likely to occur when intercourse occurs in the
4 to 5 days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation, and this
is referred to as a woman's fertile period.
In order
to become aware of her fertile period, a woman can observe the cyclic
variations in her cervical mucus and basal body temperature as well
as other cyclic body changes. This involves:
Taking
her temperature every morning before getting out of bed (even
getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom may
throw off the morning temperature reading).
Observing
the amount and consistency of vaginal mucus every day.
Charting
the temperature and mucus results so that she can see the changes
that occur throughout the menstrual cycle.
How
effective is FAM in preventing pregnancy and STIs?
If used correctly and consistently every cycle, and if the couple
practices abstinence during a woman's fertile period, the rate of
pregnancy for couples using the FAM is 1% to 9%. When statistics
take into account a woman forgetting or misusing the method, the
typical rate of pregnancy is approximately 25%. The additional point
to keep in mind is that the FAM method is not effective in protecting
a couple from acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
To use
FAM effectively to avoid pregnancy, you need to learn and understand
all parts of the method well. Consult with a Natural Family Planning
(NFP) counselor to understand your cycle carefully and to learn
to use the method. Call Natural Family Planning of Rhode Island
(401.943-7900) to contact an NFP Counselor.
What
are some advantages of using FAM?
It
is an opportunity for a woman to understand her cycle.
There
are no medical side effects.
It
can determine fertile periods if pregnancy is desired.
It
may be an acceptable contraceptive method if a person's religious
beliefs do not approve of other methods.
What are some disadvantages of using FAM?
A
typical college student's schedule decreases the effectiveness
of this method. Irregular sleep patterns, stress and illness can
make it difficult to use this method accurately and consistently.
It
provides no protection against STIs.
Women
who have irregular cycles will find this method difficult to use.
It
takes a few cycles before a woman can learn to use it confidently.
It
requires constant motivation and commitment combined with a good
understanding of the method.
A
couple has to use another method of contraception during the woman's
fertile period or abstain from intercourse.
Links
you can use
For more information about the FAM and to learn ways to chart your
fertility, you can visit:
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