Cycle basics
Your fertility cycle, or menstrual cycle, starts on day one of your period (cycle day one) and lasts till the day before your next period starts.
Day one of your period means the first day of proper bleeding - enough to need a tampon, cup or pad. Small amounts of bleeding is called spotting.
What's normal?
An average cycle lasts 28 days, but it is normal for cycle length to vary from month to month and from woman to woman.
It's easiest to use fertility awareness as contraception if your cycles are between 21 and 35 days long - and don't vary in length by more than seven days.
If you are on the pill, you can't use fertility awareness. Your cycle might be exactly 28 days long but any periods you experience are withdrawal bleeds, or fake periods, they are not "true" periods.
It's easiest to use fertility awareness as contraception if your cycles are between 21 and 35 days long - and don't vary in length by more than seven days.
If you are on the pill, you can't use fertility awareness. Your cycle might be exactly 28 days long but any periods you experience are withdrawal bleeds, or fake periods, they are not "true" periods.
How does your fertility change during your cycle?
The early days of your cycle are amber (relatively infertile) because your fertile days move about and you could get pregnant if they start earlier than usual.
When you first start using FAM, you only have unprotected sex on your green days.
Some FAM users continue with this approach, which is allowed. You choose the approach that suits you and yours.
Do not assume your green days have started because your period is due.
Fertility awareness based contraception, or FAM, is not quite that simple, unfortunately.
Some FAM users continue with this approach, which is allowed. You choose the approach that suits you and yours.
Do not assume your green days have started because your period is due.
Fertility awareness based contraception, or FAM, is not quite that simple, unfortunately.
How do you know when your green days begin?
This is a wonderful thing. All you need is a chart and/or an app and the the 3 over 6 rule...