Avoid unprotected sex on the days during and around ovulation, and youre unlikely to get pregnant.
When done correctly, this method is effectivebut preciselyhoweffective is a matter of some debate.
On top of that, there is alotof misinformation out there about fertility awareness contraception in general.
What is fertility awareness-based contraception?
There are a few relevant biomarkers you might track, which means there are multiple FABMs to choose from.
Inthe Standard Days method, for example, cycle days 8-19 are considered fertile.
Urinary hormone-based methodsuse a rig called acontraception monitorto test the levels of estrogen and other hormones in your urine.
These measurements are fed into an algorithm that calculates the fertile window.
This sounds a lot like Natural Family Planning (NFP)are they the same thing?
By contrast, fertility awareness is deliberately inclusive.
Just like any other method, you have to weigh the pros and cons.
Many methods are free or low-cost
Physical and financial accessibility is another plus for FABMs.
You take the measurements by yourself, on your own schedule, in the privacy of your own home.
Of course, some companies are eager to monetize fertility awareness, particularly on the instruction side.
In itself, this isnt necessarily a bad thing: proper use requires a level of expertise.
Depending on how much you enjoy tracking health metricsand your experiences within the healthcare systemthis can be downright empowering.
Using a FABM also requires strong communication with your partner(s) and medical practitioners.
Urrutia told me she loves fertility awareness counseling because it represents a true partnership between her and the patient.
What are the disadvantages of fertility awareness contraception?
Depending on your perspective, the biggest advantage of FABMs may also be their biggest drawback.
Its not immediately effective
Switching to a FABM is neither fast nor easy.
Irregular periods complicate the onboarding process.
The bottom line, according to Urrutia?
You cant just jump right in.
Do fertility awareness methods actually work?
Nearly every other contraceptive method has been studied to death.
Pretty much none of this holds true for FABMs, which are rarely the focus of clinical trials.
Knowing what differentiates the twoand your tolerance for that differenceis crucially important.
Typical use, she explains, is less straightforward.
In a nutshell, typical use is the effectiveness that you might expect for an average person.
It includes some leeway for not perfectly following the instructions for the method every single time you use it.
The definitions oftypical and perfect usedont change from method to method, but what they actually look like does.
For Standard Days, its 11-14 pregnancies; 14 for Two-Day.
This is largely why the discourse around FABMs is so ripe with misinformation.
Based on her commentary, the article wasretractedbut the company that made Daysysued her.
(The suit was eventually dismissed.)
But conducting medical research on the Internet is complicated, confusing, and potentially dangerous.
How can you filter out the chaff?
If youd rather go straight for the literature,the Guttmacher Instituteis a wonderful resource.
Theres no federal accreditation board; certificates vary by method.
Do you want to have more kids?
When do you want to have [those] kids?
Whats your relationship like?
… How much work do you want to do in making sure that your methods effective?
If this seems like a lot to take in, it is.
Choosing a contraceptive method is a massive, potentially life-altering decisionand you deserve to know what youre getting into.
