Is FAM right for you?
To use the fertility awareness method of contraception (FAM), you need to:
- Use condoms or other precautions for at least nine days a month, probably more, especially while you are learning. Read this to find out more.
- Record a few things. Mainly day one of your period, your waking temperature and your maximum fluid days (usually two or three a month). There is a limit to how much you need to record.
- Interpret those things. So long as you do it right, those things can help you identify your fertile days.
You also need true periods, not pill periods. They don't have to be every 28 days, you just need to get them - preferably every 21 to 35 days.
If you stop taking the pill, use precautions till you have a true period and know what you're doing.
Absent periods can often be fixed by looking after your overall health, check out Lara Briden, and use condoms or other precautions till they return.
You can learn FAM on your own, but the NHS website recommends you get support from a Fertility UK practitioner (like me).