Fertility
Awareness
Fertility Awareness-Based Methods
• Learn on which days of the menstrual
cycle you can get pregnant
• To prevent pregnancy, you and
your partner either avoid sex OR
use a condom on fertile days
• Can be effective if used correctly
• No side-effects
• Does not protect against STIs
or HIV/AIDS
Next Move:
“Would you like to know more about Standard Days Method, or talk about a different method?”
To discuss Standard Days Method,
go to next page.
About fertility awareness-based methods:
• Either by counting days or checking symptoms.
• Natural methods: a woman learns the fertile days of her
menstrual cycle.
• She can also use other barrier methods on fertile days, such as
diaphragm.
• The couple must agree to avoid intercourse or use a barrier
method on days when pregnancy is possible.
3 different methods:
1) Standard Days Method: See following pages. A new method
that she can use with special “CycleBeads.”
2) Cervical Mucus Methods: Checking daily for cervical
secretions, then recording what she finds on a chart.
3) Symptothermal Methods: Checking daily secretions AND
taking her temperature every day before getting up, then
recording on a chart.
(2) and (3) require special teaching. Refer if necessary.
• But this is one of the least effective methods when not used
correctly.
• Does not involve taking or applying any medication.
• For STI/HIV/AIDS protection, use condoms.
To discuss another method, go to a new
method tab or to Choosing Method tab. FA
1
 Who can and cannot use
Standard Days Method
Most women can use
Standard Days Method

You can use if: You may need to wait if:

• Your menstrual • Your periods have
cycles are regular, not returned after
between 26 and 32 childbirth
days long • You recently stopped
• You and your partner using a long-acting
can avoid sex or use injectable
condoms on fertile
days
 Standard
Days Method Who can and cannot use
Standard Days Method
Most women can use Standard Days • Women with irregular cycles cannot use the method.
To determine the length of her menstrual cycle, ask:
Method. You can use if: “Do you usually get your period at the same time every month?”
• Your menstrual cycles are regular, • Mark on calendar the first day of her last period.
• Mark on calendar when she expects her next period to start.
between 26 and 32 days long • Count the number of days in the menstrual cycle.
• If the cycle just calculated is between 26 to 32 days, she can use
Standard Days Method.
• You and your partner can avoid
sex or use condoms on fertile days • Do both partners think they can avoid intercourse for 12 days in
a row during each cycle, or use condoms if they have sex on
these days?
You may need to wait if: • They can use condoms or other barrier methods on fertile days.

• Your periods have not returned • She needs to have had at least 3 cycles between 26 and 32
after childbirth days long since giving birth.

• After stopping long-acting injectables, she must have at least 1

• You recently stopped using a cycle between 26 and 32 days long before starting this method.
long-acting injectable • If switching from other hormonal methods, she can start
immediately (as long as her periods were regular and between
26 to 32 days before she used the hormonal method).

Next Move:
If client has regular cycles between 26 and 32
days, she can use Standard Days Method, If client does not have regular cycles between 26
go to next page. and 32 days, help her choose another method. FA
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How to use Standard Days Method
 Every morning move
the rubber ring to the
next bead.
 THE RED BEAD
is day 1 of cycle. Always move the ring in
On the first day of your the direction of the arrow.
period, move the rubber
ring onto the red bead.  WHITE BEAD
Each bead DAYS
Mark a calendar to help
represents a day are days when
remember.
of your menstrual you CAN get
cycle pregnant.
 BROWN BEAD Use a condom or
DAYS do NOT have sex
are days when on these days to
pregnancy prevent
is unlikely. pregnancy.
You can have sex on these days. No
condom needed.
Are you ready to
When your next period starts, move
choose this method?
the ring to the red bead again. Skip
over any remaining beads.
 Standard
Days Method
How to use Standard Days Method
 Every morning move the
rubber ring to the next bead.
 THE RED BEAD Always move the ring in the
is day 1 of cycle.
direction of the arrow.
On the first day of your period,
Move the ring even on days when
move the rubber ring onto the red bead. you have your period.
Mark a calendar to help
remember. Each bead
represents a day  WHITE BEAD DAYS
of your menstrual are days when you
cycle CAN get pregnant.
 BROWN BEAD DAYS
are days when Use a condom or
pregnancy is do NOT have sex on
unlikely. these days to prevent
pregnancy.
You can have sex on these
days. No condom needed.
• Give her the beads and show her how to move the rubber ring over each bead.
When your next period starts, “You don’t have to wear the beads. Keep them safe so that no one else can move the ring.”
move the ring to the red bead • Invite her to show that she knows how to use the beads, and ask her to
again. Skip over any move the rubber ring to the current day of her cycle now, so that she is on schedule.
remaining beads. • Offer supplies of condoms to all users. Offer and discuss other barrier methods, if available.
Next Move:
Does client understand how to use CycleBeads? Is she ready to choose method?
If she has decided to use method, If not, discuss further or consider other
go to next page. methods. FA
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 What to remember
• Move the rubber ring one bead forward every day
• Always use condoms or avoid sex on
fertile “white bead” days

Come back if:

• You get your period early Dark brown
(it starts before you put the ring on the bead

dark brown bead)

• You get your period late Last brown

bead
(it does NOT start by the day after you
put the ring on the last brown bead)

• You have unprotected sex on a Anything else I can

fertile “white bead” day repeat or explain?
Any other questions?
 Standard
Days Method
What to remember
• Advise her to always mark the first day of her period on her
• Move the rubber ring one bead calendar in case she forgets whether she has moved the ring.
forward every day
• Always use condoms or avoid sex • Offer and discuss other barrier methods, if available.
on fertile “white bead” days • If appropriate, discuss sexual pleasure without penetration.

Come back if:

• You get your period early • If menstrual bleeding started before reaching the dark brown
(it starts before you put the ring on the dark bead, her cycles are shorter than 26 days.
brown bead) • Show where the dark brown bead is and explain what it means.
• If menstrual bleeding has not started by the day after moving the
• You get your period late ring over the last brown bead, her cycles are longer than 32
(it does NOT start by the day after you put days.
the ring on the last brown bead) • If she has more than one cycle shorter than 26 days or
longer than 32 days, the method may be less effective.
• You have unprotected sex on a She may need to choose another method.
fertile “white bead” day
• If she has unprotected intercourse on these days, she can
consider using emergency contraception as soon as possible.
Last Moves:
“Do you think you can use a condom or avoid sex on all “white bead” days?
Is there anything I can repeat or explain?”
Remember to offer condoms for dual protection and/or back-up!
Last, most important message: “Move rubber ring forward every day FA
and avoid sex or use condoms on white bead days.” 4
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