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If you are looking for a way to live naturally and avoid consuming synthetic hormones when it comes to birth control, then I have a solution for you. The Fertility Awareness Method is something you will want to study since you want to know how to prevent pregnancy without birth control.
When my husband and I got married, we were both virgins and I had not been on any birth control before. In my search for natural birth control and a safe way to prevent pregnancy, I came across the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). I have been effectively using this method for 7 years and I love it so much that I always highly recommend it.
I’m going to share with you what I know about this natural birth control method based on my research and experience and I encourage you to do some of your own research to see if this is the best option for you.
The Truth About Birth Control
Birth control pills like combination pills work by giving your body synthetic hormones. Combination pills use estrogen and a man-made hormone called progestin to prevent your body from releasing its natural hormones that cause your body to release an egg for ovulation each month.
Essentially, these pills prevent your body from doing what it was created to do. It also keeps cervical fluid thick so that sperm can’t get through. Lastly, it thins the lining of the uterus which doesn’t allow fertilization if an egg and sperm do meet.
It’s also important to note the side effects that come with birth control pills. Women are only fertile for a few days out of the month but are willing to take on various side effects to prevent pregnancy during those few days. Here are some physical side effects that can come from the pill:
- Blood clots
- Strokes
- Breast cancer
- Heavy crampy periods
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Urinary tract infections
- Cervical inflammation
- And more.
It’s been known to impact a woman’s hormones to the extent that if she chooses a partner while on the pill and then gets off the pill, she may even lose attraction to him.
But none of these things has to be part of your story. Let me share with you a non-hormonal and safe way to prevent pregnancy without birth control or side effects.
What is the Fertility Awareness Method
The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) is a natural non-hormonal, non-toxic, and safe way to prevent pregnancy and to achieve pregnancy when you’re ready. It is extremely empowering for women because we can learn about our bodies and understand our fertility and menstrual cycles.
FAM is simply tracking and observation. Each day you will track your body’s symptoms to help you determine whether or not you are fertile. This information will allow you to determine whether or not it is safe for you to have sex without getting pregnant.
The wonderful thing about the fertility awareness method is that there is no need to use a condom or any other barrier method when you are not fertile. Once you are confident about when you are not fertile, you can be intimate freely without concern about the possibility of getting pregnant.
Due to the exchange of bodily fluids when using FAM, it is recommended to use it only in a monogamous relationship. Therefore, I recommend using it in the context of a marriage relationship.
Using the Fertility Awareness Method as Natural Birth Control
Seven years ago, I was looking up how to prevent pregnancy without birth control. When I made up my mind and decided that FAM was the natural birth control method that I wanted to use, I studied it. I bought Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and I learned ALOT!
That book is very informative, comprehensive, and empowering. It answers so many questions and you can always refer back to it whenever you need to. I also listened to a podcast called Fertility Friday as well as FemmeHead on Youtube. I learned everything I needed to know from those three resources.
The symptothermal method of FAM is what I use. This is a method in which you collect information about your body to determine your fertile window. The fertile window refers to the days when you are fertile and likely to get pregnant.
Here’s what my routine is like using the symptothermal method of FAM:
- I take my temperature with my basal body thermometer as soon as I open my eyes. (I like to wake up around the same time each morning when possible.)
- I log my temperature and the time I took my temperature in my fertility tracking app. I’ve used a few in the past, and I also learned how to chart on paper. However, I’ve been using Kindara for the past 6 years and I enjoy using it. It creates a clear chart for me.
- I also make a note of my cervical fluid in the Kindara app. This is easy to do because I simply pay attention when wiping in the restroom.
- OPTIONAL: You may also choose to check the position of your cervix. This is another fertility sign that you can use and log in to your app. I do not use this one.
What Do I Need to Use the Fertility Awareness Method
If you decide to use the symptothermal method, consider getting the following items:
- Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler
Basal Body Thermometer - Fertility Tracking App like Kindara
- Condoms (optional)
- Knowledge of Cervical Fluid (Mucus)
- Primary Types of Cervical Fluid: Dry or Sticky, Creamy, Wet and Clear, Egg White
Fertility Awareness Method Effectiveness
When the symptothermal method of FAM is used with perfect use (the method is followed by the book) studies show that it can be up to 98-99.6% effective! When using FAM and using a barrier method (e.g. condoms) during your fertile window, the effectiveness rate lowers to whatever the effective rate of your barrier method is.
For example, if you use FAM but decide to be intimate during your fertile window, you need to use a barrier method, like a condom. Perfect use of a condom can have an effectiveness rate of 98%. However, if the condom is not used with perfect use that effectiveness rate can be lowered to as low as 87%.
This means that FAM with perfect use combined with abstinence from sex during the fertile window can be 98% effective. This also means that FAM with perfect use combined with a condom with perfect use during the fertile window can also be 98% effective. This is what I have experienced for the past few years.
Be sure to learn how to identify when the fertile window is over. Lower basal body temperatures and high-quality cervical fluid mean you are in the fertile window. You must be careful and abstain or use a barrier method during this time. Remember you’re at the mercy of the barrier method you choose.
Three or more consecutive higher temperatures and no cervical fluid present means the fertile window is over and you are now safe to be intimate without any barriers. You will want to refer back to your chart regularly to be sure that the fertile window is over. You can learn about all of the rules of the fertility awareness method in Taking Charge of Your Fertility. The rules are very important to know!
Final Thoughts
If you want to know how to prevent pregnancy without birth control, the Fertility Awareness Method is worth your attention. Depending on your body, your menstrual cycles, and your lifestyle FAM may be a great option for you. I use the fertility awareness method to prevent pregnancy and I also use it to get pregnant. It is very easy to switch between the two quickly with no side effects. I love it! When you are ready to get pregnant, you can check out my tips on how to get pregnant quickly.