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| The Symptothermal Method | The Symptothermal Method of Natural Family Planning is a combination of three Method and the Calendar – Rhythm Method. This method of Fertility Awareness proved to be much more effective, than any other method, if used separately. When a woman chooses to apply all three methods together, the signs of one can be used with the aim of confirming those of the others. Moreover, the combination of these methods can also permit sexual relations during the early dry days, and it makes the period of abstinence, necessary for complete protection when using the Basal Body Temperature method alone, shorter.
Therefore, if a woman has decided to apply the Symptothermal method of Fertility awareness, she should receive careful instructions in any separate method, which the Symptothermal Method consists of; she is also to have one constant sexual partner. In addition, much self self – discipline is required to check and c hart all the woman’s fertility signs and to observe the rules carefully.
In order this method of Natural Family Planning will work more effectively, if the woman keeps to the following rules:
♦ The woman has to keep consistent and accurate records of her basal body temperature, the least changes in her cervical mucus, etc;
♦ The woman, who applies this method of Fertility Awareness, may not use any hormonal contraception, because hormones in them can change the woman’s natural menstruation and fertility cycle. the best method of contraception is considered to be one of the barrier methods;
♦ The cooperation with the woman’s male partner is necessary, as he must be willing to help her in avoiding getting pregnant by either abstaining from sexual intercourse or use some barrier method during the most fertile days.
From the other hand, it should be noted, that charting the woman’s fertility pattern may not be appropriate for her, in case if:
• The woman has more than one sex partner;
• The sex partner of the woman, who applies this method, is not equally committed to it;
• The woman is not suited to keep close track of her most fertile days because of her temperament or because of some other reason;
• The woman doubts whether she would be able to abstain from having vaginal unprotected sexual contact for at least 10 days each month or to apply some other contraception method on her “unsafe” days;
• The woman would not consider having an abortion conducted, even if she has any specific medical condition, which may pose a grave danger for her in case if she ever gets pregnant;
• The woman takes some specific kinds of medicines, which influence her basal body temperature, menstrual regularity, cervical mucus production and / or appearance.
Moreover, any woman, who wants to try to use the Symptothermal Method of Natural Family Planning should better not depend on charting her fertility pattern, if she has more than one sexual partner, she has any sexually transmitted infection, or in case if she knows that she will not be able to keep regular records of her basal body temperature, as well as check her mucus and count her fertile and infertile days with the help of a calendar.
The Symptothermal Method Effectiveness
This method of Natural Family Planning is considered to be much effective, however, only on condition, that it is applied correctly and constantly. Generally it proved to be about 90 % effective in preventing from unplanned pregnancy. Therefore, this up to 10% failure rate is mostly because of the woman’s male partner, in case if he does not cooperate with her, or because of some incorrect application. However, if the Symptothermal Method of Fertility Awareness is used under strict supervision and constantly and the male partner helps the woman in it, then the failure rate is no more than 3%.
The Symptothermal Method Advantages
This Method of Natural Family Planning does not include any side effects, as neither drugs, chemicals, nor any devices, and no surgical intervention is required;
The Symptothermal Method is very economical;
The method improves marital relationship, because the cooperation of both partners is involved;
In case if the woman desires to get pregnant, she can simply stop applying the Symptothermal method and begin to make attempts of conceiving;
If the woman learns to apply this method of Fertility Awareness in a proper way, then there will not be any need in additional contraception.
The disadvantages of the Symptothermal Method
This method can be quite messy and inconvenient, because the woman, who applies has to keep in mind checking her basal body temperature, her cervical mucus as well as track the calendar days;
The Symptothermal Method is messy to apply
In case if the woman’s partner does not want to cooperate with her, this method of Natural Family Planning may be not effective at all;
Any woman, who desires to try the Symptothermal Method will have to receive previous training from a well – experienced professional;
Any unusual event, such as illness, emotional stress, bad sleep, extra moving can disrupt the woman’s menstrual cycle, which will lead to skewing her pattern for that month.
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