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Fertility Awareness FAQ
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What EXACTLY IS THE fertility awareness METHOD?
The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) is a set of principles used to teach a woman how to determine when she is fertile and when she is not. This is done by observing and charting three naturally existing physiological signs which occur as a result of the rhythmic cycling of a woman's hormones throughout any given menstrual cycle. The Justisse Method of Fertility Awareness is one of the most popular FAM approaches; it is a secular, sex-positive, feminist, scientifically rooted approach with an evidence-based effectiveness rating of over 99%.
The three primary fertile signs that observed are cervical mucus secretions, basal body temperature (waking temp) and cervix position. The charts generated from monitoring and recording these observations can then be used to achieve pregnancy, avoid pregnancy, monitor pregnancy, & better understand not only your reproductive health but your also the totality of your current health state.
"FAM allows women to exercise reproductive choice without sacrificing the well-being of their reproductive body" - Geraldine Matus, HRHP, PhD founder of the Justisse Method, and CEO ofJustisse-Healthworks for Women
The three primary fertile signs that observed are cervical mucus secretions, basal body temperature (waking temp) and cervix position. The charts generated from monitoring and recording these observations can then be used to achieve pregnancy, avoid pregnancy, monitor pregnancy, & better understand not only your reproductive health but your also the totality of your current health state.
"FAM allows women to exercise reproductive choice without sacrificing the well-being of their reproductive body" - Geraldine Matus, HRHP, PhD founder of the Justisse Method, and CEO ofJustisse-Healthworks for Women
IS FAM THE SAME AS THE RHYTHM METHOD?
No. There are no similarities between the Justisse FAM and the Rhythm Method (RM) aka calendar method. The RM uses information from past menstrual cycles to predict fertile and infertile phases of current and future menstrual cycles. This approach does not take into account the inevitable physiological differences that exist cycle to cycle, due to a myriad of circumstances. This method-fault is one of the main reasons the RM has such a low effectiveness rate. The Justisse Method of FAM differs critically in that a woman is taught how to monitor her body's fertile signs throughout each day of the menstrual cycle, this means fertility is observed and understood on a daily basis rather than guessed retrospectively.
WHY SHOULD I WORK WITH AN HRHP, WHY DON'T I JUST USE AN APP or read a book?
If you think the perfect, timesaving, cost-effective method to learning a version of Fertility Awareness is from a book, blog or App you are missing the most important factor- me. I am a highly trained accredited Naturopathic Doctor and HRHP-intern. The education and clinical experience I have simply cannot be paralleled from an online resource or book. Although the FAM is safe, side-effect free, low-cost, and once learned, a skill for life - it does come with a lot of potential for error. Research shows that learning from, and working with, a trained professional results in a greater understanding of the methodology of fertility awareness, a greater understanding of body literacy and your own reproductive health, and a higher efficacy (99+%).
Most important of all, when you work with me, you get a personal cheerleader who is dedicated to walking with you as you embark on your unique Fertility Awareness journey. I will teach you the FAM, provide you with information and tools to make informed and empowered sexual and reproductive health choices, provide symptom relief and assist with the treatment and management of various health concerns, and always advocate for proactive preventative care. I will do all of this with the intent of supporting your personal health and wellness goals, so you can be the best version of yourself.
Most important of all, when you work with me, you get a personal cheerleader who is dedicated to walking with you as you embark on your unique Fertility Awareness journey. I will teach you the FAM, provide you with information and tools to make informed and empowered sexual and reproductive health choices, provide symptom relief and assist with the treatment and management of various health concerns, and always advocate for proactive preventative care. I will do all of this with the intent of supporting your personal health and wellness goals, so you can be the best version of yourself.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
It's simple. By monitoring, observing and charting your bodies naturally occurring signs and symptom of fertility you will be able to determine if you are in your fertile or infertile window and if sexual intercourse should be avoided (i.e. natural birth control) or engaged in (i.e. goal of conceiving), depending on your personal reproductive goals. The three primary fertile signs observed are: cervical mucus secretions, basal body temperature (waking temp) and cervix position. I will teach you how to feel confident in observing and charting these fertile signs, which will result in an invaluable lifelong skill that will transcend your reproductive life-stages.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT, REALLY?
The Justisse Method is 99+% effective to avoid pregnancy with perfect use. The three primary fertile signs utilized with this methodology are scientifically validated physiological events that occur with a woman's natural uninhibited menstrual cycle. The methodology is based on years of research, thousands of woman's menstrual cycles, and a collective understanding of the reproductive system as a whole.
Perfect use in order to avoid pregnancy involves charting your cycles according to the Justisse methodology and strictly observing the rules for avoiding pregnancy as set our by the method. The effectiveness of the methodology hinders on learning to accurately observe and chart the three primary signs of fertility.
A list of studies and research papers discussing the effectiveness of FAM can be found here.
Perfect use in order to avoid pregnancy involves charting your cycles according to the Justisse methodology and strictly observing the rules for avoiding pregnancy as set our by the method. The effectiveness of the methodology hinders on learning to accurately observe and chart the three primary signs of fertility.
A list of studies and research papers discussing the effectiveness of FAM can be found here.
WHO CAN USE THIS METHOD?
Any woman. Period (no pun intended).
FAM is ideal for a woman who is interested in learning the principles of holistic sexuality, fertility awareness and reproductive health management. You are a perfect candidate if you want to learn: more about your menstrual cycle (from menarche to menopause it's never too late to learn), what it means to ovulate, reproductive health in general, information that will make you feel empowered when making sexual and reproductive health choices, how to successfully avoid pregnancy with a hormone-free method, how to come off the birth control pill and aid in reestablishing hormone harmony, how to successfully achieve pregnancy, a safe and effective breastfeeding and postpartum birth control method, a support method for menopause during this next reproductive life-stage.
FAM is ideal for a woman who is interested in learning the principles of holistic sexuality, fertility awareness and reproductive health management. You are a perfect candidate if you want to learn: more about your menstrual cycle (from menarche to menopause it's never too late to learn), what it means to ovulate, reproductive health in general, information that will make you feel empowered when making sexual and reproductive health choices, how to successfully avoid pregnancy with a hormone-free method, how to come off the birth control pill and aid in reestablishing hormone harmony, how to successfully achieve pregnancy, a safe and effective breastfeeding and postpartum birth control method, a support method for menopause during this next reproductive life-stage.
BUT I AM TRYING TO AVOID GETTING PREGNANT, HOW WILL THIS HELP ME?
Great! This is why I started using the FAM too.
FAM is a safe, hormone-free, easy to learn, effective, reversible and scientifically proven natural birth control method. I will teach you how to observe, monitor and chart the three primary signs of fertility so that you can confidently avoid your fertile window, minimizing the risk of conception. The Justisse FAM has a 99+% effectiveness for avoiding pregnancy, which is as effective as hormonal contraceptives! Your body has so much to tell you, all you need to do is listen.
Fun Fact: when you ovulate the egg (ovum) released is viable for just 24-hours or less.
FAM is a safe, hormone-free, easy to learn, effective, reversible and scientifically proven natural birth control method. I will teach you how to observe, monitor and chart the three primary signs of fertility so that you can confidently avoid your fertile window, minimizing the risk of conception. The Justisse FAM has a 99+% effectiveness for avoiding pregnancy, which is as effective as hormonal contraceptives! Your body has so much to tell you, all you need to do is listen.
Fun Fact: when you ovulate the egg (ovum) released is viable for just 24-hours or less.
BUT I AM TRYING TO GET PREGNANT, HOW WILL THIS HELP ME?
Wonderful! The FAM will teach you (and hopefully your partner, I love working with couples) how to effectively time sexual intercourse maximizing your chance for conception. You will observe and chart the primary signs of fertility enabling you to accurately identify your fertile phase, specifically when ovulation is occurring.
In addition, the charts you will create are amazing tools to share with your healthcare providers. I can speak first hand to the useful information a chart can provide regarding a woman's fertility and reproductive health. A healthcare provider skilled in reading and interpreting these charts may identify hormone imbalances, the existence of possible infections, food sensitivities, and other health conditions (i.e thyroid disorders) that may be impacting your fertility. Remember, knowledge is power and your body has a ton of it to share.
In addition, the charts you will create are amazing tools to share with your healthcare providers. I can speak first hand to the useful information a chart can provide regarding a woman's fertility and reproductive health. A healthcare provider skilled in reading and interpreting these charts may identify hormone imbalances, the existence of possible infections, food sensitivities, and other health conditions (i.e thyroid disorders) that may be impacting your fertility. Remember, knowledge is power and your body has a ton of it to share.
BUT I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MY PERIOD OR HORMONES, CAN YOU STILL HELP ME?
Of course! I promise in working with me you will learn not only the lifelong skill of charting your menstrual cycle, but you will also gain a deep understanding of your unique hormone and reproductive health, feeling a true sense of body literacy. You will learn how to have a meaningful relationship with your body, and feel informed and empowered when making sexual and reproductive health choices for the rest of your life. The knowledge of FAM transcends all reproductive stages a woman will go through. Remember, it is never too late to learn.
CAN I USE FAM IF I HAVE BEEN USING HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL?
Yes! Current or previous use of any hormonal contraceptive or mechanical device is not a barrier to using this method. The FAM is ideal for any woman who is currently on hormonal birth control but thinking of transitioning off and would like an effective hormone-free birth control method. It is also highly indicated if you have already come off the birth control pill (or other contraceptive device) and would like support in monitoring your reproductive health as your body rediscovers it's natural cyclic rhythmicity.
CAN I USE FAM WHEN I AM BREASTFEEDING OR POSTPARTUM?
Yes! This method of birth control is ideal for the postpartum, breastfeeding period as it is a safe, hormone-free birth control option. During this time your menstrual cycle can vary in length and fertile/infertile signs can be different than before conception. In working with me, we will navigate the variability of your hormones during this time, and adapt the FAM to your needs allowing a successful transition between this reproductive health stage and the next.
I HAVE REALLY IRREGULAR CYCLES, CAN I STILL USE FAM?
Yes! There are many different life events that may cause a woman to experience variability in her menstrual cycle. The beauty of the FAM is that you will be taught how to observe, monitor and chart your unique fertile signs such that the methodology and rules of the FAM can be adapted to any cycle regardless of length or symptom variability. The importance of working with a trained FAM practitioner is key here though, as teaching and adapting the "general" FAM rules to your needs does take skill, experience, and time.
WHat about using fam to help with my pms, painful period or pcos...?
Your menstrual cycle is your fifth vital sign. The health of your menstrual cycle reflects the state of your overall health. Symptoms such as: irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, irregular bleeding, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and mood changes associated with menstruation can all be signs of hormone imbalances. As a ND-HRHP-intern I am trained to interpret the information your menstrual cycle chart will show me in conjunction with laboratory tests and other health indicators, providing me a well-rounded picture of your hormone and reproductive health. In addition, the charts can illuminate nutritional deficiencies, infection, food sensitivities and systemic issues such as thyroid and gut dis-ease.
