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Appendix H
Classifications for Fertility Awareness--Based Methods
Fertility awareness--based (FAB) methods of family planning involve identifying the fertile days of the menstrual cycle, whether by observing fertility signs such as cervical secretions and basal body temperature or by monitoring cycle days (Box). FAB methods can be used in combination with abstinence or barrier methods during the fertile time. If barrier methods are used, refer to Appendix G.
No medical conditions become worse because of use of FAB methods. In general, FAB methods can be used without concern for health effects to persons who choose them. However, a number of conditions make their use more complex. The existence of these conditions suggests that 1) use of these methods should be delayed until the condition is corrected or resolved or 2) persons using FAB methods will require special counseling, and a more highly trained provider is generally necessary to ensure correct use.
Women with conditions that make pregnancy an unacceptable risk should be advised that FAB methods might not be appropriate for them because of the relatively higher typical-use failure rates of these methods. FAB methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
|
TABLE. (Continued) Fertility awareness--based methods,*† including symptoms-based and calendar-based methods |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Condition |
Category |
Clarifications/Evidence/Comments |
|
|
Symptom-based method |
Calendar-based method |
||
|
Postpartum (in nonbreastfeeding women) |
|||
|
a. <4 wks |
D |
D |
Comment: Nonbreastfeeding women are not likely to have sufficient ovarian function to either require a FAB method or to have detectable fertility signs or hormonal changes before 4 weeks postpartum. Although the risk for pregnancy is low, a method appropriate for the postpartum period should be offered. |
|
b. ≥4 wks |
A |
D |
Comment: Nonbreastfeeding women are likely to have sufficient ovarian function to produce detectable fertility signs and/or hormonal changes at this time; likelihood increases rapidly with time postpartum. Women can use calendar-based methods as soon as they have completed three postpartum menses. Methods appropriate for the postpartum period should be offered before that time. |
|
Postabortion |
C |
D |
Comment: Postabortion women are likely to have sufficient ovarian function to produce detectable fertility signs and/or hormonal changes; likelihood increases with time postabortion. Women can start using calendar-based methods after they have had at least 1 postabortion menses (e.g., women who before this pregnancy had most cycles of 26--32 days can then use the Standard Days Method). Methods appropriate for the postabortion period should be offered before that time. |
|
Reproductive Tract Infections and Disorders |
|||
|
Irregular vaginal bleeding |
D |
D |
Comment: Presence of this condition makes FAB methods unreliable. Therefore, barrier methods should be recommended until the bleeding pattern is compatible with proper method use. The condition should be evaluated and treated as necessary. |
|
Vaginal discharge |
D |
A |
Comment: Because vaginal discharge makes recognition of cervical secretions difficult, the condition should be evaluated and treated if needed before providing methods based on cervical secretions. |
|
Other |
|||
|
Use of drugs that affect cycle regularity, hormones, and/or fertility signs |
C/D |
C/D |
Comment: Use of certain mood-altering drugs such as lithium, tricyclic antidepressants, and antianxiety therapies, and certain antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, might alter cycle regularity or affect fertility signs. The condition should be carefully evaluated and a barrier method offered until the degree of effect has been determined or the drug is no longer being used. |
|
Diseases that elevate body temperature |
|||
|
a. Chronic diseases |
C |
A |
Comment: Elevated temperature levels might make basal body temperature difficult to interpret but have no effect on cervical secretions. Thus, use of a method that relies on temperature should be delayed until the acute febrile disease abates. Temperature-based methods are not appropriate for women with chronically elevated temperatures. In addition, some chronic diseases interfere with cycle regularity, making calendar-based methods difficult to interpret. |
|
b. Acute diseases |
D |
A |
|
|
* Abbreviations: FAB = fertility awareness--based; A = accept; C = caution; D = delay; STI = sexually transmitted infection; HIV = human immunodeficiency infection. † Fertility awareness--based methods do not protect against STI/HIV. If risk exists for STI/HIV (including during pregnancy or postpartum), the correct and consistent use of condoms is recommended, either alone or with another contraceptive method. Consistent and correct use of the male latex condom reduces the risk for STIs and HIV transmission. |
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