Simple Guide to the Top 3 Fertility Awareness Methods
What is FAM?
Fertility awareness methods (FAM) are used to track female fertility signs throughout the month.
This allows you to identify phases of your cycle, confirms ovulation (or lack of), provides insights into hormonal patterns (and possible imbalances), and offers a natural, non-invasive alternative to artificial contraception.
These methods can be used individually, in combination, or along with hormone testing.
BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE
METHOD: measure temperature in mouth, vagina, or rectum immediately on waking before drinking or getting out of bed; record (or use automatic armband)
INSIGHTS: identify ovulation as the day before the BBT spike (usually a 0.5-1 degree increase, followed by at least 2 more consecutive increases)
NOTES: if no spike is observed, ovulation may not be occurring
2. CERVICAL MUCUS
METHOD: sample mucus with clean fingers or swipe of toilet paper before urinating
INSIGHTS:
dry = not fertile (luteal)
creamy, white, thick = low fertility (follicular)
clear, slippery, sticky = high fertility (fertile window)
NOTES: indicates start of fertile window before BBT can detect ovulation
3. CERVICAL POSITION
METHOD: squat & insert clean finger into vagina to feel cervix
INSIGHTS:
soft, high, open, wet = fertile
firm, low, closed, dry = not fertile
Can I just track my period?
The “calendar” or “rhythm” method of fertility tracking involves recording your menstrual period over several months to calculate your most likely window of ovulation.
While simple, this method is less precise and does not give insight into hormonal patterns throughout the month.
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References
Cervical Mucus. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21957-cervical-mucus
Basal Body Temperature. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21065-basal-body-temperature
Cervical Mucus Testing Information. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Retrieved from: https://www.med.unc.edu/timetoconceive/study-participant-resources/cervical-mucus-testing-information/
Parenteau-Carreau, S., & Infante-Rivard, C. (1988). Self-palpation to assess cervical changes in relation to mucus and temperature. International journal of fertility, 33 Suppl, 10–16.
Natural Family Planning. American Pregnancy Organization. Retrieved from: https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/natural-family-planning/