The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) is more accurately referred to in the plural – Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs). It’s an umbrella term for several techniques of observing and charting physical signs of fertility which offer a natural approach to understanding your body and menstrual cycle. With these methods you can learn to identify the fertile and infertile phases of your cycle and with this information either avoid pregnancy, conceive, and/or monitor your health. To use these methods you learn to observe and track a range of fertile signs (or biomarkers) including daily cervical mucus observation (CM), basal body temperature (BBT) tracking, cervical position and sometimes more, depending on your method and your need.
What are fertility awareness methods tracking?
The Symptothermal Method is the specific branch of FAM that I teach. It involves tracking two primary signs of fertility:
1. Cervical mucus patterns – Changes in cervical mucus throughout the cycle signal hormonal shifts and the approach of ovulation.
2. Basal body temperature (BBT) – Your resting temperature rises slightly after ovulation due to increased progesterone.
The rules I adhere to in order to build the greatest accuracy for both avoiding pregnancy and conceiving, are a mixture of the most scientifically effective and well studied techniques as defined by my Fertility Awareness Method Mastery™ certification.
By combining these indicators, and several other factors, the Symptothermal Method allows us to pinpoint the fertile window with remarkable accuracy, and gather in depth information about our health as it relates to our hormones.
The Phases of the Menstrual Cycle and How Fertility Is Identified
To understand the question of ‘what are fertility awareness methods?’, let’s break down the menstrual cycle into its phases:
1. Menstrual Phase (Day 1 of bleeding marks the start of the menstrual phase): Hormone levels are low, and the uterine lining sheds. Fertility is typically at its lowest during this phase.
2. Follicular Phase (begins a few days into your menstrual phase): Named after the gentle rise of Follicule Stimulating Hormone (FSH), which – as the name suggests – stimulates one follicle in the ovary to start developing (several are stimulated at this early stage of the cycle, but only one and rarely two will make it to full maturity and be ovulated) ready for ovulation. During this development process, the follicle releases estrogen. Cervical mucus reflects the levels of estrogen present by changing from creamy and white, to clear, stretchy, and slippery—this indicates the approach of ovulation and high fertility. Sperm can survive in fertile cervical mucus for up to five days.
3. Ovulation (around Day 14 in a “textbook” cycle): The now high levels of estrogen trigger the hypothalamus to produce GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone), which causes the pituitary to release LH (Lutenizing hormone), which, along with a surge in FSH, trigger ovulation – the release of an egg from it’s follicle.
The egg, which lives for 24 hours, can be fertilised by sperm from up to 5 days before. This is the peak of fertility.
4. Luteal Phase (begins immediately after ovulation): The empty follicle transforms under the influence of LH, into a ‘corpus luteum’, a collection of granular cells which make progesterone.
Progesterone rises, leading to an increase in basal body temperature. With it, the CM “dries up” and the fertile window closes as the body prepares for either pregnancy or menstruation.
Our cycle hormones, Estrogen and progesterone most notably, have observable effects not only on the physical body, but also within the emotional body and the psyche. Mindfulness and pattern recognition around this can support our awareness as we move through each phase.
By observing cervical mucus and identifying a temperature shift, the Symptothermal Method helps you accurately identify the window of fertility around ovulation.
Why I Teach the Symptothermal Method of Fertility Awareness:
After years of personal and professional experience with FAM, I chose the Symptothermal Method for several reasons:
1. It’s highly effective: Studies show the Symptothermal Method, when practiced correctly, can have a perfect use efficacy of up to 99.4% for avoiding pregnancy. That’s comparable to hormonal birth control without the side effects.
2. Ease and accessibility: The Symptothermal Method is highly accessible, requiring only education and a thermometer, making it an affordable and sustainable option for managing fertility and health.
3. It supports overall health: Charting the menstrual cycle gives insight into hormonal health. Irregular patterns or atypical signs may indicate underlying health issues, allowing for early intervention and holistic solutions.
4. Empowerment through knowledge: Fertility Awareness Methods don’t just prevent pregnancy; they allow women and menstruators to deeply connect with their cycles, optimise fertility when trying to conceive, and monitor their health over time.
Does Fertility Awareness Work For Irregular Cycles?
The Symptothermal Method is not only effective as birth control not only for those with regular cycles but also invaluable for individuals with irregular cycles, endometriosis, or PCOS. The added benefit is that this method provides real-time insights into hormonal patterns, helping to identify ovulation even in unpredictable cycles. For conditions like endometriosis or PCOS, it can reveal imbalances, irregular ovulation, or anovulatory cycles, empowering you to advocate for targeted care while using natural strategies to support your health.
The Research-Backed Effectiveness of the Symptothermal Method
Studies have confirmed the Symptothermal Method as one of the most reliable FAM approaches. For example:
– A landmark study published in Human Reproduction (2007) showed a 0.4% failure rate with perfect use and 1.8% with typical use for pregnancy prevention.
– Beyond contraception, FAM has been a powerful tool for improving conception outcomes, especially for couples trying to conceive naturally.
Final Thoughts
Fertility Awareness Methods are more than a natural contraceptive; they are a pathway to self-awareness and holistic health. Through observing and understanding the phases of your cycle, you can make informed decisions about your body—whether avoiding or achieving pregnancy or simply improving overall well-being.
If you’re ready to learn more about how Fertility Awareness could transform your relationship with your body, check out my coaching program, In Season Cycles. Together, we’ll demystify your cycle and help you use it as an ally in your health and goals. If you want to learn FAM for contraception, take a look at my Better Birth Control self paced course.
