Is fertility awareness right for you?
Fertility awareness, also known as natural family planning, can a good way to avoid pregnancy if:
Fertility awareness can also help you get pregnant when/if you want. It can even work while you're breastfeeding, so long as you follow certain rules.
You can learn on your own but for maximum effectiveness the NHS website recommends you get support from a Fertility UK practitioner (like me).
- You can handle at least 11 days a month of using condoms or other precautions.
- You have periods. True periods, not the withdrawal bleeds you get on the pill. They don't have to be every 28 days, you just need to get them. Preferably every 21 to 35 days.
- You're aged between 18 and 40. You can still get pregnant after 40, especially in your early 40s, but it might be more difficult to tell when you're fertile.
- You're able to record a few things. Mainly day one of your period and your waking temperature. There's a limit to how much you need to record.
Fertility awareness can also help you get pregnant when/if you want. It can even work while you're breastfeeding, so long as you follow certain rules.
You can learn on your own but for maximum effectiveness the NHS website recommends you get support from a Fertility UK practitioner (like me).