Instructors vs Self Teaching

Instructors and How To Choose Them

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The studies we have on FAM contraceptive effectiveness are all from people who learned from a qualified instructor. This is part of why a user based method like FAM still has a rate of effectiveness comparable to other forms of contraception. When taught correctly from a qualified practitioner, fertility awareness is a highly reliable form of birth control.

The safest way to learn the skill of fertility awareness is to learn from an instructor.

Instructors teach anatomy, physiology, the ovarian and uterine cycle, the menstrual life cycle, the fertility window, and the guidelines for conception or the rules for contraception. They also may teach you how to interpret your chart for health reasons.

There are currently no legal licensing requirements or education requirements for instructors. Many instructors are trained in multiple methods and are practicing fertility awareness users. Ask questions to your instructor before joining a program.

How to Self Teach Effectively

We don’t have statistics about the reliability of self taught FAM. However, if you understand risks and follow the protocols strictly, it is very possible to use FAM effectively. After all, this site wouldn’t exist without self teaching! Here are some helpful tips for starting a self taught journey.

Visit The Resources Page

  • Educate yourself about getting started with fertility awareness, the types of fertility awareness methods, and the basics of the 3 fertility signs by visiting the resources on this site. This will help you understand if FAM is right for you as a form of contraception.

  • You’ll need a few tools to get you started with fertility awareness.

    These include:

  • Take the Breaking Up With Birth Control course and follow along as you transition to learning to chart with fertility awareness method. Self teaching courses can help answer your questions while you continue to self teach.

  • It’s important to note that the rules are a little different when you first start charting to prevent mistakes for your desired outcomes.

    The two main modified rules are

    1. First 3 Months Rule - You must abstain or use barrier protection for the first three cycles while learning FAM

    2. Post-Ovulatory Only Rule - Only having unprotected sex after ovulation is confirmed in the luteal phase and observing no pre-ovulatory unprotected days for the first 6 months.

    Both of these rules are meant to help new users gain their self mastery without losing confidence.

  • Peer support groups like the Fertility Awareness Discord are essential to asking questions and receiving support. There are so many people out there in the world learning FAM and managing their fertility and their health autonomously. Join us for conversation and the occasional live chat.


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