The Facts and the Myths
Oh so many a story have come and gone about this method. Sadly, the myths have prevented women from the vast wealth of wisdom that our body offers us. As well as being women's ancient and sacred knowledge, Fertility Awareness is also a science. It is based on well researched and documented evidence from endocrinologists, doctors and scientists. Besides, we're talking about the oldest piece of human medicine there is, creation, and the cycles that rule it. This information lives in women's bodies.
Below I have written questions that will help to prevent the spread of misinformation about FA. Please help to share the truth!
Question: Is FAM the same as the Rhythm Method?
Answer: NO! Absolutely not. The Rhythm Method is based on a woman's past cycles and assumes they will remain the same month after month. This is not the case. The Rhythm Method is only 50-60% effective in preventing pregnancy. FAM is based on a day to day assessment of your fertility and is much more complex and therefore effective.
Question: If I have irregular cycles can I use FAM?
Answer: YES. In fact, learning to chart your cycles will most likely lead you to discover WHY your cycles are irregular and give you the tools to regulate them. Even if your cycles are variant in length, the FAM is easily practiced and equally effective, because it is based on a day to day assessment of your fertile signs.
Question: Can I use FAM while I'm breastfeeding?
Answer: YES you can. It is much easier to practice FAM if you have learned it prior to conception, but it can be learned postpartum as well and is highly effective during this time if special tips and considerations are used.
Question: "But my friend charted her cycles and she got pregnant, why should I think this will work?"
Answer: A number of second-hand stories have come my way about conceptions while practicing NFP, but NONE so far to students that have taken a FAM workshop. "Charting your cycle" or "Knowing your cycle" is different than practicing the FAM. Yes, there are accidental pregnancies with FAM, comparable to any method of contraception (see effectiveness page) but the rumors mostly stem from misuse of the term "Fertility Awareness Method." Most people in this category were actually practicing the Rhythm Method or not charting effectively. If you hear someone say they conceived while using the Fertility Awareness Method... PLEASE- tell them to come and see me WITH their charts (for free) and we can see what happened.
Question: Can I use condoms and safely avoid pregnancy during my "fertile window"?
Answer: Of course you can, but you wouldn't be keeping with the proven effectiveness of the Fertility Awareness Method. The FAM's high effectiveness rating involves abstaining when you are in your fertile time. Using a barrier method during your fertile time CHANGES the effectiveness, depending on the method chosen. A FA educator can guide you as to what Barrier Method choices will work best for you, but above all encourage the realization that having sex during your fertile time is risky !
Question: How can FAM help me to conceive?
Answer: Charting your cycle will show you when your most fertile time is and you can plan accordingly! You will also be able to determine if your hormones are in balance and working together in a way that will best support a healthy pregnancy. In addition, once you have conceived, your charts can actually affirm that you are indeed pregnant as well as giving you a warning sign if you are at risk of miscarriage.
To close, here is an exerpt from Toni Weschler's website, www.tcoyf.com...
"It is unfortunate that the Fertility Awareness Method is even referred to as a method, because in reality, it should be seen as a fundamental life skill that all women should learn, just as they are now taught basic feminine hygiene. This is because the practical knowledge women glean from charting their cycles will aid them from puberty to menopause, and all life phases in between.
While this vital information has been slow to disperse into the mainstream, the good news is that things are finally starting to change. A grassroots movement has begun to spread among women everywhere, which I would like to think is reforming women's health one fertility chart at a time."
Below I have written questions that will help to prevent the spread of misinformation about FA. Please help to share the truth!
Question: Is FAM the same as the Rhythm Method?
Answer: NO! Absolutely not. The Rhythm Method is based on a woman's past cycles and assumes they will remain the same month after month. This is not the case. The Rhythm Method is only 50-60% effective in preventing pregnancy. FAM is based on a day to day assessment of your fertility and is much more complex and therefore effective.
Question: If I have irregular cycles can I use FAM?
Answer: YES. In fact, learning to chart your cycles will most likely lead you to discover WHY your cycles are irregular and give you the tools to regulate them. Even if your cycles are variant in length, the FAM is easily practiced and equally effective, because it is based on a day to day assessment of your fertile signs.
Question: Can I use FAM while I'm breastfeeding?
Answer: YES you can. It is much easier to practice FAM if you have learned it prior to conception, but it can be learned postpartum as well and is highly effective during this time if special tips and considerations are used.
Question: "But my friend charted her cycles and she got pregnant, why should I think this will work?"
Answer: A number of second-hand stories have come my way about conceptions while practicing NFP, but NONE so far to students that have taken a FAM workshop. "Charting your cycle" or "Knowing your cycle" is different than practicing the FAM. Yes, there are accidental pregnancies with FAM, comparable to any method of contraception (see effectiveness page) but the rumors mostly stem from misuse of the term "Fertility Awareness Method." Most people in this category were actually practicing the Rhythm Method or not charting effectively. If you hear someone say they conceived while using the Fertility Awareness Method... PLEASE- tell them to come and see me WITH their charts (for free) and we can see what happened.
Question: Can I use condoms and safely avoid pregnancy during my "fertile window"?
Answer: Of course you can, but you wouldn't be keeping with the proven effectiveness of the Fertility Awareness Method. The FAM's high effectiveness rating involves abstaining when you are in your fertile time. Using a barrier method during your fertile time CHANGES the effectiveness, depending on the method chosen. A FA educator can guide you as to what Barrier Method choices will work best for you, but above all encourage the realization that having sex during your fertile time is risky !
Question: How can FAM help me to conceive?
Answer: Charting your cycle will show you when your most fertile time is and you can plan accordingly! You will also be able to determine if your hormones are in balance and working together in a way that will best support a healthy pregnancy. In addition, once you have conceived, your charts can actually affirm that you are indeed pregnant as well as giving you a warning sign if you are at risk of miscarriage.
To close, here is an exerpt from Toni Weschler's website, www.tcoyf.com...
"It is unfortunate that the Fertility Awareness Method is even referred to as a method, because in reality, it should be seen as a fundamental life skill that all women should learn, just as they are now taught basic feminine hygiene. This is because the practical knowledge women glean from charting their cycles will aid them from puberty to menopause, and all life phases in between.
While this vital information has been slow to disperse into the mainstream, the good news is that things are finally starting to change. A grassroots movement has begun to spread among women everywhere, which I would like to think is reforming women's health one fertility chart at a time."
