Natural planning methods, with the right approach, can provide almost complete effectiveness in postponing conception. An unplanned pregnancy avoids a woman's full knowledge of the most probable time of onset of ovulation throughout the cycle. For couples with functional infertility, the symptothermal method of recognizing fertility helps to conceive a child in the next few cycles in 80% of cases.
The basics of the symptothermal method
The symptothermal method of recognition of fertility is based on the assessment of several indicators, and not only on the date of the onset of the last menstruation and the average duration of the cycle or a graph of basal temperature. The essence of the method is to observe the basal temperature, the secretion of the cervix, the position and condition of the cervix, and physiological indicators indicating the onset of ovulation.
This is a multi-indicator method, which (unlike mono, when only one indicator is observed) allows you to track the fertility of women with an irregular cycle, experiencing stress, illness, often traveling.
Also, the symptothermal method of recognizing fertility is effective in breastfeeding after childbirth. The method can be applied after the abolition of oral contraceptives, observing the gradual restoration of the functions of the reproductive system. Indispensable SMRP during menopause. Using this technique, you can accurately know your hormonal status on any day of the menstrual cycle.
Large-scale clinical studies of the method were completed in 1979 in Birmingham (UK). Then the scientists started talking about "double confirmation." This means that the beginning and end of the fetal period must be confirmed by two signs. It is recommended to rely on the experience of self-observation during at least the previous six cycles.
Female anatomy and physiology
Self-study of the symptothermal method of recognition of fertility is based on knowledge of the functioning of the female reproductive system, physiology and anatomy. In addition, a woman should know the basic indicators of fertility, observe them daily and enter the results of self-observation in a special diary. This is usually a temperature graph with an additional table below.
The first criterion, which is evaluated to determine the days most or least favorable for conception, is the presence of ovulation. Ovulation usually occurs around the middle of the cycle. Normally, the cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days. Doctors divide all the processes taking place in the woman’s body at this time into several phases. So complex physiology of the female reproductive system.
Process Cycle
During menstruation, physiological bleeding from the uterine cavity opens. It lasts from three to six days. Endometrial rejection occurs, to which a fertilized egg can attach. The follicular phase begins simultaneously with menstruation and lasts an average of about 14 days. During this time, a follicle forms in the ovaries, in which the egg matures. At the same time, the process of updating the endometrium begins.
The ovulatory phase lasts only about three days. During this period, the mature follicle ruptures; an egg is ready for fertilization, which moves to the uterine cavity. At the same time, some women may experience discomfort in the lower abdomen or on the side where the egg was released.
The luteal phase lasts 11-16 days. This is the time of active production of hormones that prepare the body for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the egg is excreted along with the aged endometrium. If the egg is fertilized, then it attaches to the wall of the uterus. Sometimes the cell does not attach in the uterus, but in the tube. This is an ectopic pregnancy, which in any case is interrupted: alone or artificially (for medical reasons).
The highest fertility in a woman is in the ovulatory phase, although male reproductive cells can be in the partner's reproductive tract for a week, while maintaining the ability to conceive. Pregnancy occurs if unprotected sex occurs during ovulation. In this case, the partner must have healthy sperm and a generally satisfactory state of health. Therefore, we are not talking separately about the fertility of women - the fertility of the spouses is common.
Menstrual phase
Proponents of the symptothermal method of recognizing fertility distinguish other phases of the cycle: relative pre-ovulation infertility, fertility, post-ovulation infertility. The follicular phase is the phase of preovulatory infertility. The possibility of conception at this time is relative, because (as already mentioned above) the sperm can remain in the female genital tract for several days and fertilize the egg after rupture of the follicle, that is, not immediately after completion of sexual intercourse. The fertility phase is ovulation. This is the period when the probability of conception is highest. Post-ovulation infertility coincides with the luteal phase.
Rhythm Method (Calendar)
The rhythm method was discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century. Then C. Ogino and G. Knaus proved that about two weeks before the next menstruation, a woman ovulates. Even women prefer to use the calendar method today, although its effectiveness is very low. To calculate the day of ovulation, you need to know the average duration of the menstrual cycle. With a cycle of, for example, 28 days, the probability of conception is highest by about 14 days. But shifts for several days are possible, so they are considered fruitful from 12 to 16 days.
The calendar method cannot be used by women with an irregular menstrual cycle, because the probability of error is very high. In addition, for some, ovulation occurs on other days (the first or second phase is shortened or lengthened), and in some cycles, ovulation may not occur at all. Healthy women of reproductive age may have one or two anovulatory cycles per year, and over the years this number increases, so it becomes even more difficult to conceive a child.
The symptothermal method of recognizing fertility is better because it evaluates not one indicator, but several. In addition, a woman from the first month of observation can accurately determine whether she is ovulating or not. The calendar method does not provide such an opportunity, but nevertheless is the basis of other natural methods of family planning.
Temperature method
In order to calculate the fertile period in the framework of the temperature method, it is necessary to approach the observations consciously and follow the rules. How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy or fertility period? Every day throughout the cycle, you need to measure the temperature in the rectum, in the mouth under the tongue or in the vagina immediately after waking up.
You can use a mercury thermometer, but some pharmacies even sell special thermometers to determine basal temperature. It is recommended to measure indicators with a mercury thermometer within 7-8 minutes. An electronic thermometer (with two decimal places) is also suitable, but the main thing is to always use the same one.
It is desirable to measure the temperature at the same time - immediately after sleep. You need to sleep before this for at least four hours, otherwise the results may be incorrect. The measurement results must be entered on the graph. Ovulation can be determined by increasing the basal temperature by at least 0.4 degrees Celsius for three days. If the difference between the phases of the cycle is 0.2 degrees Celsius or less, then ovulation is absent.
To learn to accurately and correctly read the graphs, measurements must be carried out for at least three cycles in a row. On the same chart, abundance and consistency of discharge, the position of the cervix, as well as lifestyle features (for example, illness, alcohol or antibiotics, stress, travel), which can affect the hormonal background, are usually noted.
According to the schedule, you can determine an interesting position before delaying ovulation. How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy? The same as on other days of the cycle. Changes will be visible on the chart. Usually, before the next menstruation (in a few days), the temperature drops slightly. If the indications remain stable after ovulation, then it is highly likely that pregnancy has occurred. Also, depressurization is noted on the graph (temperature decrease by one day) 3-14 days after conception - this is implantation deprivation.
Cervical secret and fertility
Depending on the phase of the cycle, vaginal discharge is distinguished. You can determine the nature of the discharge by gently placing your finger in the vagina to the middle of the phalanx. After the cessation of menstruation, women usually experience slight dryness. As the level of hormones rises, mucus is found, which is first moist, clear and clammy, and then becomes white. When a thicker cervical mucus is noted, this is the beginning of the fertile period. Before ovulation, the mucus will resemble a raw protein.
Cervical condition
The cervix changes its location in different phases of the cycle, so that you can determine when the most likely successful conception. It is possible to draw conclusions about the condition of the neck with the help of tactile sensations. Monitoring is recommended daily at the same time. For the reliability of the result, it is better to probe the neck with legs wide apart, squatting or putting your foot allotted on some kind of elevation.
After the end of menstruation, the neck becomes elastic and dense, it occupies a low position. In the future, the neck begins to prepare for a possible pregnancy, rising and slightly opening, it becomes much softer. In the middle of the cycle, the cervix is quite high, it becomes loose, the cervical canal opens. Such a change in the position of the cervix indicates that the probability of conception is greatest. After ovulation, the neck gradually lowers, and the pharynx closes.
Ovulation rates
The physiological indicators of ovulation are not observed in all women, but it is worth paying attention to them. The middle of the cycle may be characterized by an increase in the sensitivity of the chest and skin (skin rashes), increased sexual desire, increased working capacity, energy, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, minor pain. In the middle of the cycle, there may even be scanty spotting from the vagina. This is a variant of the norm, but if the situation repeats over several cycles, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist.