Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FABMs)

Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) are a type of natural family planning that involves tracking a woman's menstrual cycle and physical symptoms to determine when she is fertile or infertile. The goal of FABMs is to identify the fertile window, which is the time during which a woman can become pregnant.

Types of FABMs

• Rhythm Method: This method involves tracking the length of a woman's menstrual cycle to predict when she will ovulate. It assumes that ovulation occurs on day 14 of a 28-day cycle, but this can vary from woman to woman.
• Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method: This method involves taking a woman's temperature every morning before getting out of bed. BBT typically drops slightly before ovulation and rises after ovulation.
• Cervical Mucus Method: This method involves observing the changes in cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle. Fertile cervical mucus is clear, slippery, and abundant, while infertile mucus is cloudy, thick, and scarce.
• Symptothermal Method: This method combines the BBT and cervical mucus methods with other symptoms such as breast tenderness, mood changes, and abdominal pain to determine fertility.
• Marquette Method: This method uses a combination of urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) tests, BBT, and cervical mucus observations to determine fertility.
• Billings Ovulation Method: This method involves observing the changes in cervical mucus to determine fertility, with an emphasis on the sensation of the mucus at the vulva.

How FABMs Work

FABMs work by identifying the physical symptoms that occur during a woman's menstrual cycle. By tracking these symptoms, women can identify when they are fertile or infertile. The fertile window typically begins 5-7 days before ovulation and ends 1-2 days after ovulation.

Effectiveness of FABMs

The effectiveness of FABMs varies depending on the method used, the woman's cycle regularity, and the couple's motivation to use the method correctly. With perfect use, FABMs can be up to 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, with typical use, the effectiveness can range from 75-88%.

Benefits of FABMs

• Natural and non-invasive: FABMs do not require any medical devices or hormones.
• Low cost: Many FABMs can be learned through online resources or low-cost classes.
• Increased awareness of body: FABMs promote a greater understanding of the menstrual cycle and physical symptoms.
• No side effects: FABMs do not have any known side effects, unlike some hormonal birth control methods.

Limitations of FABMs

• Requires daily tracking: FABMs require a commitment to daily tracking and observation.
• May not be suitable for irregular cycles: Women with irregular menstrual cycles may find it challenging to use FABMs effectively.
• May not provide immediate protection: FABMs may require several months of tracking before they can be used effectively to prevent pregnancy.

Conclusion

Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) are a natural and non-invasive way to plan or prevent pregnancy. By understanding the different types of FABMs, how they work, and their benefits and limitations, women can make informed decisions about their reproductive health.