Fertility Awareness-Based (FAB) Methods

health information
Fertility Awareness-Based (FAB) Methods
What are FAB methods?
FAB methods help couples understand how to prevent a pregnancy or how to get pregnant.
With FAB methods, a woman finds out which days of the month she is most likely to get pregnant
(fertile time). This can be done to:
•
prevent pregnancy—don’t have vaginal intercourse or you need to use another method of birth
control during a woman’s fertile time
•
get pregnant—a woman has vaginal intercourse during her fertile time
How well do FAB methods work to prevent pregnancy?
•
8 to 9 out of 10 women will get pregnant in one year if having intercourse without birth control.
•
With typical use (this means not following the exact directions) FAB methods are
75 to 88 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
•
With perfect use (this means you follow the exact directions all the time) FAB methods are
95 to 98 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
•
FAB methods don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
•
Use a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, anal) to lower your risk of STIs and HIV.
How do I start using FAB methods?
Before you can use FAB methods, you must keep a fertility chart for 3 to 6 months to find out
about your fertility cycles. To do this, a woman must keep an exact daily record of:
• body temperature
• changes in the mucous and the cervix and the vagina
You can use the information you learn about your cycles to prevent a pregnancy or to get pregnant.
FAB methods are not recommended if you:
• have periods that aren’t regular
• have just started having periods
• have recently had a baby
• are getting close to menopause
• are breastfeeding
• have recently stopped a hormonal method of birth control
How do I use FAB methods?
If you are interested in FAB methods, contact the organizations below for teaching and support:
•
Justisse Healthworks for Women: www.justisse.ca
•
Serena: www.serena.ca
•
Creighton Model Fertility Care™ System: www.creightonmodel.com
606099-F © Alberta Health Services, (2013/11)
What are the benefits of FAB methods?
•
There are no added hormones.
•
You don’t need any birth control supplies except a basal thermometer and a way to keep track
of your information (e.g., monthly charts, calendar).
•
FAB methods may work well if you have certain personal, religious, or cultural beliefs about
birth control.
What are the disadvantages of FAB methods?
•
If you are using FAB methods to prevent pregnancy, you have to commit to keeping track of
your body every day so you know exactly where you are at in your cycle.
•
It is hard for women that get lots of vaginal infections to keep track of their cervical mucous.
Did you know
•
You have the right to make the decision to have sex or not.
•
Plan ahead and decide to protect yourself to lower your risk of pregnancy, STIs, and HIV.
•
It is important to talk with your partner about how you can protect each other.
•
Think about getting emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy if you think you
have not followed FAB methods correctly.
Websites
www.myhealth.alberta.ca
www.sexualityandu.ca
www.teachingsexualhealth.ca
www.albertahealthservices.ca and search for Sexual and Reproductive Health
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information, call Health Link Alberta at
403‑943‑LINK (5465) in the Calgary area, 780‑408‑5465 in the Edmonton area, or
1‑866‑408‑LINK (5465) toll-free.
This material is for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction
and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak with your doctor or appropriate healthcare provider.

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