Questions & Answers

HOW DO FERTILITY AWARENESS BASED METHODS WORK?

Couples who use a fertility awareness-based method learn how to track the naturally occurring fertility signs a woman experiences over the course of each cycle. By tracking these biomarkers, couples are able to determine the short window of days each cycle when a woman is able to become pregnant. More specifically, Biomarks teaches a version of fertility awareness known as the sympto-thermal method, which uses both a woman's cervical mucus symptoms ("sympto") and her basal body temperature ("thermal") to create a picture of her fertility each cycle. The observable changes in a woman's cervical mucus and basal body temperature reflect the hormonal changes occurring within her body. By cross-checking these signs, each woman is able to create an accurate picture of her fertility each cycle. A couple wishing to conceive may use the determined fertile time for intercourse, while couples who wish to avoid pregnancy may choose to abstain from intercourse during the woman's fertile window. For a longer explanation, check out an article I wrote here.

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HOW EFFECTIVE IS FERTILITY AWARENESS WHEN USED TO PREVENT PREGNANCY?
The sympto-thermal method has a method effectiveness rate of 99%. This means there are  .6 pregnancies per 100 women when the appropriate guidelines are followed. 

CAN FERTILITY AWARENESS HELP ME GET PREGNANT?
Yes. Because a woman is only fertile for a short amount of time each cycle, knowing the best days to have intercourse in order to achieve a pregnancy can be extremely helpful. By charting her fertility a woman will learn how to identify her fertile days. Additionally, the data a woman gathers about her body from charting can help her to more accurately identify her conception date and due date.

CAN FERTILITY AWARENESS HELP WITH INFERTILITY?

Fertility awareness-based methods do not treat or cure infertility. However, learning to chart your fertility can still be a good first step for couples who have been trying to conceive without success. Charting can help women see if and when they ovulate, as well as help identify cycle abnormalities that can make conceiving difficult. Many physicians can use a woman's charted fertility signs as a diagnostic tool when looking for fertility related health problems.

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HOW ARE FERTILITY AWARENESS-BASED METHODS DIFFERENT FROM THE RHYTHM METHOD?

Fertility awareness-based methods and the rhythm method are often thought of as the same thing, but they are very different. The rhythm method depends entirely on the calendar; women count days and abstain from intercourse for a predetermined set of days each cycle. With fertility awareness-based methods, women do not count days on the calendar, but rather depend on their own, individual fertility signs to alert them to when they are fertile. Every woman's body is unique, and the days she is fertile can change from cycle to cycle. Practicing fertility awareness is much more effective than using the rhythm method, because it is tailored to each woman individually.

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IS THERE A CHARTING APP AVAILABLE TO USE WITH THIS METHOD?

Couples learning this fertility awareness-based method will be instructed to use the paper charts provided in class for the first several cycles while learning. After a couple feels confident in their ability to chart, the app Kindara is recommended for those seeking a phone application for charting. Special instruction will be provided on how to customize the settings in order to use Kindara most effectively to pair with SymptoPro terminology. Additionally, SymptoPro offers an online charting application that may be used on the computer. Both Kindara and the SymptoPro app allow users to send their charts directly to their instructor through the application.

DO I NEED A SPECIAL THERMOMETER?

No, all you need is a basal body thermometer. If you choose to take a SymptoPro Fertility Education class, a thermometer will be provided for you in your class materials. If you would like something a little more high tech, we recommend using Kindara's smart thermometer, Wink. Wink automatically records your daily temperature readings in the Kindara application. Wearable fertility trackers are not recommended with this method, as they may change the rate of effectiveness.