Fertility Awareness

Before you use fertility awareness as a method of birth control, record 3 or 4 of your menstrual cycles to find your pattern of ovulation. If you are trying to not become pregnant during this time, use a method of birth control that does not affect ovulation (such as a condom, diaphragm, or the copper Reference intrauterine device [IUD] Opens New Window) or do not have sex.

Basal body temperature is checked using a special oral thermometer marked in fractions of a degree so you can see even small changes in temperature better than with an ordinary thermometer. Easy-to-read digital thermometers can be found in most pharmacies or at family planning clinics. Do not use a digital ear thermometer for this method.

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