Natural birth control methods, particularly the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), can be highly effective when practiced correctly. However, mistakes can happen, and when they do, they often lead to unintended pregnancies. If you’re using FAM or considering it, here are six ways you can make your natural birth control effective.
1. Misinterpreting Cervical Mucus
FAM relies heavily on tracking cervical mucus (CM) to understand your fertile window. One common mistake is having unprotected sex during the pre-ovulatory phase when you observe mucus, thinking it’s “not that fertile.” All cervical mucus should be treated as a sign of fertility, especially in the days leading up to ovulation.
Another common issue arises when you miss a day of checking your CM and continue having intercourse without considering yourself fertile. The rule is to wait at least three days of dry observation to ensure you’re past your fertile window.
Key takeaway: Always consider yourself fertile if you’re unsure about your CM observations and avoid having unprotected sex during this phase.
2. Relying Too Much on Apps
While fertility tracking apps can be useful, they are not foolproof. Apps that give you “green days” often rely on algorithms and averages, which may not reflect your body’s actual cycle. For instance, if you’re not cross-referencing app data with your CM, you could end up having unprotected sex on a fertile day.
Key takeaway: Use apps as supplementary tools, but always confirm your fertility status through your cervical mucus and basal body temperature (BBT).
(note: the only app I recommend is Read Your Body, made for and by FAM users. When you work with me you get 3 months for free!)
3. Incorrectly Confirming Ovulation
After ovulation, the vagina returns to an acidic state, and you can confirm you’re in your infertile phase. However, failing to leave a sufficient buffer after ovulation can lead to mistakes. You might also mistake a withdrawal bleed for a true period, leading you to believe you’re infertile when ovulation is still around the corner.
Key takeaway: Always give yourself a buffer of a few days post-ovulation, and ensure that you’re correctly confirming ovulation with a sustained temperature rise and dry days to confirm a ‘true period’.
4. Falling Into “Rhythm Method” Thinking
FAM is not the same as the rhythm method. The rhythm method assumes you ovulate on the same day each cycle, but your body doesn’t work like clockwork. Cycles can vary due to stress, illness, or other factors. Relying on patterns like “I always ovulate on day X” or “It worked last month, so it will this month” is a recipe for failure.
Key takeaway: Treat every cycle as unique. Always track your fertility markers in real time rather than relying on past cycles.
5. Taking Unnecessary Risks
Sometimes, people believe they can “test the waters” because they’ve never conceived before, or they think a small amount of cervical mucus won’t matter. This is risky behavior. Just because you haven’t conceived yet doesn’t mean you won’t—especially if you’re within your fertile window.
Key takeaway: If in doubt, always act cautiously. Treat any fertile signs as legitimate, and avoid risk-taking based on past experiences.
6. Barrier Method Failure
FAM often includes the use of barrier methods like condoms during the fertile window. However, if a barrier method fails, it’s not a failure of FAM but of the barrier method itself. Breakage, slippage, or improper use of condoms or other methods can lead to unintended pregnancies.
Key takeaway: Always ensure your barrier methods are used correctly and are reliable during your fertile phase to avoid accidents.
Final Thoughts: How can we make our natural birth control effective?
Natural birth control methods like FAM can be empowering and effective, but they require diligence, awareness, and the right mindset. Misinterpreting signals, relying on apps, and falling into risky habits can lead to failures. By consistently tracking your signs and avoiding risky behaviours, you can successfully manage your fertility with confidence.
