Tag Archives: fertility awareness-based methods

Learn To Trust Your Cervical Fluid! The Roses Of Fertility Awareness

Fertility Awareness No Comments

 Originally published November 9, 2013

It’s all good and fine to go on about learning to love my body and empowering myself to learn about my reproductive health, but how’s a woman to actually go about tracking her fertility? Remember that the goal is to NOT get pregnant?

To be honest, learning the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) is a work in progress. And, I’m still progressing. I’ve been off hormonal birth control for about four months, and I’m still using condoms every time. I’m learning to trust my body.

There are three ways of tracking your fertility: taking your basal body temperature, (your body temperature when you first wake up) looking at changes in your cervical fluid (think cum, but for the lady-folk), and the position and texture of your cervix.   (Today in 2018 there are apps that can help you with tracking fertility signs. Learn which apps are more likely to track accurately.) So, I’ve gotten real intimate real fast with my body.

Now, I’m going to break down the first sign (tracking your temperature) as best as I understand, but let me just say that if you’re actually considering trying out these shenanigans, you should read this book, and go to this website. These people know way more than I do.
The first way of tracking your body’s cycle is taking your temperature first thing in the morning. I mean, like, first thing. Like, you can’t get out of bed before you do this because you’ll mess it up. The great thing about this sign is that it’s really easy for your partner to be involved. My husband helps out by sticking the thermometer into my mouth at the first sound of the alarm (Okay, maybe after one snooze…). I lay there half asleep while he does all the work. Loving it so far, dear reader? Thought so. I downloaded this form to help me keep track of it all. I started with only this sign because feeling up my cervix seemed intimidating.

Let me just say that those that said that it takes 21 days to form a habit are liars. Maybe if the habit was drinking wine or watching The Bachelor. It took me two months to get into the swing of tracking my temperature! It’s pretty interesting though; your temperature is relatively low (about 97ish degrees) during the first phase of your cycle, and then it shifts up a few degrees after you ovulate, or release an egg. When this happens, USE THE CONDOM! Control the births!

Now that I have the hang of it, it’s pretty great. Using the chart helps me see how long my cycles are. My first charted cycle was 36 days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next (long, but still normal, ladies!)! I would have had a complete pregnancy scare/heart attack had I not seen the shift in my body temperature! How empowering is that?

I’m at the point now where I’m loving feeling the changes in my cervix (look forward to that next post, y’all). I’m loving not putting hormones in my body, I love involving my partner, and slowly but surely, I’m learning to love my body.

Reactions People Have When You Tell Them You Use The Fertility Awareness Method – By Holly Grigg-Spall

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When you discover the Fertility Awareness Method it can feel like a revelation – you want to tell everyone about how you’re only fertile a few days per cycle and how ovulation and menstruation are connected and how your hormones work! Once you realize what you weren’t told in sex ed class, you want to tell everyone else the news too. Because it’s shocking and baffling that you weren’t told all about your cycle and wondered ‘when do girls ovulate’? No one bothered to bring it up, and you just know your family, friends, work colleagues and Twitter feed are gonna want to know this too, and they’re gonna be just as angry-happy as you (angry they weren’t told, happy they now know)!

But, some people don’t react like you expect to this information, to hearing all about the Fertility Awareness Method. In fact some people seem to just want to rain on your parade. Others get angry, but in the wrong way, because they think what you’re telling them is nonsense or nuts. Some people get super defensive, clam up, and want to change the topic pretty quickly – although not before making some dismissive remarks. It can be hard to handle and make you feel isolated.

So, what are the most common reactions you get when you tell people you use the Fertility Awareness Method (and how might you respond)?

Reaction: I know a joke about that – what do you call people who use the Rhythm Method? Parents! Ha.

Response: First of all, it’s not the Rhythm Method, which is just about counting days from your period and making a whole lot of assumptions about your body and cycle. Secondly, it’s actually very effective when used properly whether you’re manually charting or if you’re using technological support devices like a fertility monitor. It’s as effective as the Pill, even. If someone were to become a parent using FAM it would be because they planned it that way, not because the Fertility Awareness Method itself does not work. It can be used to plan a pregnancy, if you choose, but the inverse of that is that in can be used to avoid pregnancy too.

Reaction: What’s wrong with the birth control pill? I’ve been using it for years.

Response: Personally I experienced a lot of side effects from the Pill. It made me anxious/depressed/tired/gain weight/lose too much weight/feel detached/hate sex/have a blood clot/get sick all the time (delete as appropriate). I wasn’t comfortable with continuing to put synthetic hormones in my body to block my own cycle. It might be the right choice for you, but you should do your research first because it’s possible your IBS/UTI/chronic fatigue/depression/anxiety/poor immunity/acne/allergy (delete as appropriate) is a side effect of the Pill you’re currently taking. I feel way better now I’m not taking it anymore.

Reaction: So, I’m guessing you don’t mind if you get pregnant and you’re just gonna see what happens?

Response: (Assuming you don’t want to get pregnant using the Fertility Awareness Method) Actually I really don’t want to get pregnant. It’s not the right time in my life for that to happen whatsoever. However I understand now that I can not get pregnant and not have to put up with side effects from my birth control method. I can do both! I have chosen an effective hormone-free method of preventing pregnancy. Although preventing unwanted pregnancy is very important to me, my reproductive and overall physical and mental health is also important to me. I also don’t think it ought to be my responsibility alone to stop myself getting pregnant. It’s my partner’s responsibility too.

Reaction: Ewwww. TMI.

Response: I’m sorry you feel that way. I kind of think we ought to be more open about what’s going on with our bodies.

In fact, it was other women’s stories that got me to choose to come off the Pill and helped me find the Fertility Awareness Method. I think if we’re going to break the menstrual taboo we have to talk more about our cycles, ovulation, menstruation, the lot. It’s important. Not only because so many women have health problems that go untreated because we won’t talk about this, it’s also that it’s not shameful or wrong. Men get to talk about their bodies all the time! I also reckon you, like me, have questions about stuff that you wish you could ask someone, and I want you to know you can ask me.

Reaction: I have really bad cramps/irregular periods/heavy bleeding/horrible PMS (delete as appropriate) so I just can’t come off the Pill. I hate my birth control, but I hate my cycle more.

Response: I’m so sorry you used to have to deal with that and that you have side effects now. The thing is, though, the Pill is not actually treating your period and cycle issues. It’s just putting a band aid over them. It’s not getting down to the root cause of why that’s happening. That means when you do come off the Pill, the problems could come back and maybe even be worse because of the impact of the synthetic hormones. You could really benefit from coming off, seeing how your cycle is, and then seeking treatment that fixes the problem completely. That way you’ll also know you’re set up if you want to have children in the future. I had some issues with my period too, but I’m getting them sorted with changes to my diet and supplements.

Reaction: Oh yeah. I know about this. I use my free period tracker app to do the same thing!

Response: It’s great that you have started getting interested in your cycle! But most free period tracker apps are so not reliable or accurate. Many of them are like a digitized version of the Rhythm Method, where they assume you have a 28 day-ish cycle and that you will ovulate on the 14th day-ish, like women are robots or something. This means they can make you freak about a “late” period that isn’t late at all and wrongly suggest you are fertile at a particular time or not fertile at a particular time. I find that scary and worrying. Personally, I have learned all about the signs you must track to practice the Fertility Awareness Method, which includes tracking my basal body temperature every day. I use Daysy to do this, which is a certified medical device that learns your unique fertility cycle.

For advice on how to talk to your partner about the Fertility Awareness Method go here.

Holly Grigg-Spall is a fertility awareness and body literacy advocate and educator, a Daysy enthusiast, and excited to help more women come off the birth control pill and find a natural, effective alternative. holly.grigg-spall@valley-electronics.com

Breaking Down Barriers: A Guide To Barrier Contraceptives – By Holly Grigg – Spall

Contraceptives Reproductive Health 1 Comment

The pros and cons of all barrier methods of contraception

Condoms are the one and only way to avoid STDs, but once you’re past the dating stage of your life and in a fully committed long term relationship, they can become something on an obstacle to your sex life. Many people – women and men – tolerate condoms, but would rather not have to use them. It might be the feel, the look, the logistics of putting them on, the smell, the latex, the expense, or the waste that bothers you, but often we can’t wait to move on from them.

Not using condoms in a long term relationship can convey trust, closeness, intimacy or just make sex better. While condoms don’t have to be downer (there are so many brands out there now, you’re sure to find one that suits you both), it’s understandable that women and men might like to use them less

When you use the Daysy fertility monitor, you can go without condoms for 65% of the month, on average. This leaves just 35% of the month that you do need to use a condom if you have sex. To put it another way – that’s very close to two thirds of the month that you don’t need to use condoms, leaving just one third left when you do need to keep them on hand. Daysy allows you to cut back on your condom use significantly and enjoy many more days of condom-free sex. Just 9-10 days out of the whole month, instead of every single time you have sex.

Daysy calculates and indicates your fertile days and those are the days you’ll need a barrier method if you want to have PIV (penis-in-vagina) sex. With an average cycle you should have a fertile window of approximately 9-10 days. On these fertile days (when you will receive a red light from Daysy), you will need to use a barrier contraceptive if you have sex.

Condoms are just one of the barrier methods you can choose from, although amongst Daysies (Daysy users) they are the most popular.

75% of women using Daysy are currently preventing pregnancy. When you’re fertile you need to use a barrier contraceptive to avoid pregnancy. Daysy indicates your fertility with a red light on the days you are able to get pregnant. The rest of your cycle you will have green lights, which indicate that you are not able to get pregnant.

In this post we’ll compare and contrast the pros and cons of the different barrier contraceptives available. These barrier methods are options for you to use on your fertile or red light days.

Condoms (male)

Pros: Condoms (male or female) are the only way to prevent the transmission of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). So, they are an absolute necessity in most new relationships. There are many different kinds of condoms these days – vegan, sustainable, super-thin, colored, hexagonal (look it up), made from latex, sheerlon, or polyisoprene, meaning you have a lot of brands to choose from and can try out a few until you find one you both like. Condoms are easy and simple to use, most of us are taught how in high school. Condoms are also the only barrier method for men. If you like the idea of shared responsibility for avoiding pregnancy, then you might like that your partner has to take on the responsibility of choosing, purchasing, and using condoms while you’re responsible for using Daysy. Male condoms are the most effective barrier method and can be used in conjunction with a separate spermicide for increased effectiveness overall.

Cons: As said in the introduction, you or your partner may not like how condoms feel and they may impact your enjoyment of sex. If you have a latex allergy, your options are limited. Female and male condoms are the only barrier method that physically provide a barrier at almost every point of touch, which can make them feel more obtrusive.

Diaphragm

Pros: With the arrival of the new Caya diaphragm, a one-size-fits-all option with design updates to make it easier to insert and remove, the diaphragm is an increasingly popular barrier option. The Caya doesn’t require a fitting with a doctor and is designed to fit “most” women. A Caya can be purchased online direct, or you can get a prescription from your doctor and pick it up from a pharmacy. You cannot feel the diaphragm once it’s fitted against your cervix and you can wear is comfortably for up to two hours prior to when you plan to have sex. Unlike condoms, your partner should not notice you’re wearing a diaphragm. Caya is used with a natural, chemical-free spermicide – CayaGel. The diaphragm might feel like a less obtrusive barrier option that can allow for more spontaneity, not interrupt sex, and not change your enjoyment in any way. The Caya is made from silicone, whereas other older diaphragms are made from latex.

Cons: The Caya diaphragm with spermicide is not as effective as the male condom for preventing pregnancy. It needs to be kept in for 6 hours after use to be effective, but can only be kept in up to 24 hours total due on a slight risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. Inserting anything inside the vagina can increase chance of irritations and infections. If you opt for an older diaphragm then you will need to be fitted by your doctor as they come in different sizes depending on the woman’s anatomy and lifestage.

Spermicide

Pros: Spermicide is used in conjunction with barriers to increase effectiveness. Spermicides are easy to purchase, inexpensive, simple to use, and add another layer of protection, literally, to your contraceptive plan. They can be used alone, but this is not a very effective method of contraception.

Cons: Most of the spermicides on the market contain chemicals that can cause irritations like a burning sensation or itching. They can make urinary tract infections and yeast infections more likely. There’s only one spermicide on the market that is completely natural and will not have this effect – Contragel (the same gel that comes with the Caya). Contragel can be purchased easily online on Amazon and elsewhere. You need to apply all spermicides immediately before sex for them to be effective.

Female condom

Pros: The female condom, or FC2, was recently redesigned to look and feel better. The female condom prevents the transmission of STDs. It is made from polyurethane and not latex like most male condoms. The female condom can be inserted up to 6 hours before sex, but most people choose to insert just a few minutes before. Some women say that the design of the female condom increases their enjoyment of sex.

Cons: The female condom is harder to find and can be more expensive than the male condom. Insertion might be tricky, and you must be careful to remove slowly to avoid ripping or emptying the contents. As with male condoms, there is a complete barrier between you and your partner on all touching skin surfaces, which may impair enjoyment. Female condoms also have a tendency to make noise when in use, because of the excess material.

Cervical cap

Pros: The cervical cap (or the FemCap) is available in the US, in three sizes, and requires a prescription. A FemCap can stay in for up to 48 hours. It is made of silicone, not latex, and should fit to your cervix by suction, possibly allowing for more comfort than the diaphragm. Your partner will not feel the cap during sex.

Cons: We don’t hear about cervical caps so much anymore and few doctors or healthcare practitioners know about the option or how to perform a cervical cap fitting. Cervical caps are small and can be dislodged during sex more easily than a diaphragm. You need to use additional spermicide with a cervical cap, like Contragel. It can be tricky to insert, remove, and as with anything inserted into the vagina, can increase chance of irritation and infection. Cervical caps require a prescription and it can be difficult to find a doctor who understands the option and is willing to help with a fitting. As with the diaphragm there’s a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, so you need to remember to remove it.

Sponge

Pros: The Today sponge is easily and cheaply purchased from your local drugstore. It’s made of plastic foam and contains regular, chemical spermicide. You can insert the sponge prior to sex and keep it in for up to 30 hours. Your partner should not be able to feel the sponge during sex, and neither should you.

Cons: Insertion and removal of the sponge might be tricky, and with all barriers but the condoms, using it can increase your risk of vaginal irritation and infection, including Toxic Shock Syndrome. The spermicide is chemical-based, not natural, and this can cause irritation, increase likelihood of infection, as well as the transmission of STDs, as it can cause tears in the vaginal wall.

 

Holly Grigg-Spall is a fertility awareness and body literacy advocate and educator, a Daysy enthusiast, and excited to help more women come off the birth control pill and find a natural, effective alternative. holly.grigg-spall@valley-electronics.com

Photo courtesy of Lady Comp and jayativoria.com