Health Library
We have a vast digital library of medical information, including wellness and psychiatry topics as well as general medical topics. For more information or to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to call us.
Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Fertility awareness (also called natural family planning) is a way to find out which days of the month you are most likely to get pregnant. It’s done by tracking the changes your body goes through during your menstrual cycle. Learning about these changes can help you know when your ovary releases an egg (ovulates). You can then time vaginal sex to try to get pregnant or to try to avoid pregnancy. If you have regular periods, you are probably able to get pregnant for about 6 days each month. This includes 5 days before you ovulate to the day after you ovulate. This is because sperm can live for 3 to 5 days in your reproductive tract and an egg is fertile for about 24 hours after you ovulate. To avoid pregnancy, you do not have vaginal sex on your fertile days. Or you can use a barrier method of birth control, such as a condom or diaphragm. If you want to get pregnant, you have vaginal sex during these days. Fertility awareness is most effective if you have regular periods and are able to keep close track of your menstrual cycle and physical signs of ovulation. Fertility awareness is done to help you learn when you are likely to ovulate. This information can help you to: Before you use fertility awareness, you will want to find your pattern of ovulation. You can do this by keeping a record of three or four of your menstrual cycles. If you are trying to not become pregnant while you find your pattern, you can use a method of birth control that doesn't affect ovulation. Some examples are a condom, a diaphragm, and the copper intrauterine device (IUD). Or you can choose to not have vaginal sex. There are several ways to find out when you ovulate. And there are apps that can help you do this. Some ways include checking your basal body temperature (BBT), checking your cervical mucus, and monitoring your hormones. It can be helpful to use some of these methods at the same time. If you have regular periods, you have about 6 fertile days each month. These are the days when you can get pregnant. To find out when you are fertile, you must know when you release an egg (ovulate). Fertile days include 5 days before you ovulate to the day after you ovulate. There are several ways to find out when you are fertile. There are apps that can help you do this. To get the result you want, you may need to use some of these methods at the same time. Here are some common methods. You should check your body changes using these methods for several months before you use them to avoid pregnancy. Be sure to tell your doctor about any health problems you have or medicines you take. If you are trying to avoid pregnancy, your doctor can help you choose the birth control method that is right for you. There’s a risk that fertility awareness may not work. Fertility awareness does not work better than other birth control methods. In the first year of use: Current as of: April 30, 2024 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Current as of: April 30, 2024 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com. © 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.Fertility Awareness
Overview
Why It Is Done
How To Prepare
How It Is Done
Risks
How Well It Works For Birth Control
Related Information
Credits
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.