The Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FAMs) is the methods used by a woman to track down her Ovulation and to know when the egg will be released so that she can prevent the pregnancy. The method is also known as the natural family planning. The method is to ensure that the sperm is kept away from the vagina during the days near the ovulation. During this time, the women should abstain from any vaginal intercourse or she can use the withdrawal method, sponge, diaphragm or condom. The couple also can use other sex games but not vaginal intercourse. In case the woman had unprotected sex during the time that she is supposed to be fertile, then she can use an emergency contraceptive.
The woman will need to understand more about her menstrual cycle before she begins to use this method. The fertile days of the woman will depend on the life span of her egg and the sperm. The egg can live for one day after the ovulation. The sperm also can live inside a woman for six days. Therefore the woman has a chance to become pregnant during 7 days.
- the five days before the ovulation
- day of ovulation
- a day or two days after the ovulation.
Women have different cycle which means that every woman has to understand her cycle. There are also ovulation predictors which can be used to know when the ovulation is likely to take place. There are different birth control methods that can be used to predict the ovulation day. Some are as follows:
- the temperature methods: when a woman needs to take her temperature everyday before she gets out of the bed.
- The changes in cervical mucus methods: a woman will have to check any change in her cervical mucus on daily basis until she is ensured that the she has ovulated
- Making a calendar: a woman charts her cycles on the calendar-
To be sure of the time of the ovulation, it is better if all these methods can be combined together in what it is known as the Symptothermal Method. If you are sure of how many days your cycle takes, then you will be able to mark some days in which you cannot have the intercourse.
Like any other method, it is also effective only when you use the method in the right way. Some women can get pregnant if they do not use the method well or they forget to follow the method sometime during the year. The partner also has to be aware of the system and he has to support the woman in everything to ensure that the method is effective.
The Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FAMs) is more effective in the following cases:
- the couple have the right instruction
- the woman has only one partner who is also committed towards the fertility
- the woman should have the discipline to check everyday and to make a chart
- the woman should know when she has unsafe days and she has to use cervical cap, sponge, latex or female condoms and withdrawal method.
The benefits of using this method is that
- it costs little
- it is safe
- it can be stopped whenever the woman wants to be pregnant
- no medication needed
- the thermometers, calendars and charts that a woman has to use are readily available.
The method may fail to work in the following cases:
- the woman has more than one sexual partner
- the partner is not too committed towards the success of the method
- the woman cannot track her own safe days in a proper way
- the woman is not able to stop herself from sex during unsafe days
- in case the woman is taking or the medicine or passing through the situation that can lead to the changes in her cycle.
There are women who should not use the Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FAMs). Following are the cases in which women should not adopt this method.
- The women who have irregular periods
- The women whose partner is not cooperative
- the woman who have abnormal discharge or any STI
- the woman who is not able to keep careful records.
- The woman who is breastfeeding
- The woman who is still a teenager
- The woman who is near menopause
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