Fertility Tracking

Fertility Tracking

How Does Fertility Tracking Work?

Fertility awareness/tracking or also known as natural family planning is when the vulva wonder tracks when their most fertile time is of their period and avoids having sex during this time.

It works by observing the natural signs of your period cycle, usually with the help of an app or devices from a chemist.

The main signs are:

  • Monitoring your discharge (cervical mucus)
  • Calculating how long your cycle lasts
  • Recording your body temp

A menstrual cycle usually lasts 28 days although this can vary and the average fertile window is usually 8-9 days.

Did you know? Sperm can live inside the body for up to 7 days and eggs for 24 hours. Even if you have sex 7 days before ovulation you could still become pregnant.

Pros

✅ No hormones.
✅ Can also be used to help you conceive (get pregnant).
✅ No side effects.
✅ Great for those who don't get along with hormones or don't need them. 

Cons

❌ It does not protect against STIs
❌ You have to avoid sex or use other contraception (condoms) if you have sex during your fertile window
❌ It can take a few cycles to work out how to predict your windows
❌ Rely's on religious daily recording.
❌ If you are unwell or have irregular periods this is hard to do.

⚡ I am not a health professional. I am qualified in RSE but I am not a doctor. Content for this page has been drawn from the NHS website and Brook.org.uk. Please head over to these great sites for more details.

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