What is it?

The Fertility Awareness Based Method (FAM) involves avoiding unprotected sex during the period of fertility, which is five days before and one day following ovulation (the time during the menstrual cycle when a person is most likely to get pregnant).

How does it work?

There are several types of FAMs that can help someone track when they are most fertile during their menstrual cycle:

• • Temperature Method (click to expand) »

    This method predicts when you will ovulate by tracking daily body temperature.

  • Cervical Mucus Method (click to expand) »

    This method monitors changes in your vaginal discharge throughout your menstrual cycle.

  • Calendar Method (click to expand) »

    This method tracks fertility based on the length of the menstrual cycle over several months. It is important to track for at least six months to understand your fertile period.

How effective is it?

Using FAM for birth control is among the least effective ways to prevent unintended pregnancies.

• These methods are hard to use.
• There is still a chance of getting pregnant even with perfect use.
• 24 out of 100 people that use FAM will get pregnant each year.

Check out our birth control section for information on more effective birth control methods that work for you.

Does it prevent sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs)?

FAM will not protect a person from STBBIs. To protect you and your partner(s) from STBBIs and pregnancy, use a condom and/or oral dam (dental dam) with another method of contraception, also known as dual protection.

To be effective, use birth control correctly and consistently. If you want to prevent unintended pregnancy, choose a method that you and your partner(s) will use every time you have intercourse.

Talk to your health-care provider or visit a sexual health clinic to find out what might work best for you.

Services related to this information:

• Contact Planned Parenthood — NL Sexual Health Centre at 1-877 NO MYTHS (666-9847) or 709-579-1009
• Contact your Public Health Nurse:
  • Eastern Urban/Rural Zones
  • Central Zone
  • Western Zone
  • Labrador-Grenfell Zone
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555

Eastern-Urban:

• Contact the Sexual Health Clinic at sexualhealthclinic@easternhealth.ca.
• Contact the community walk-in clinic (Mundy Pond) at 709-777-1706.