Charting Temperatures

[asunlitrose]

Hey everyone! I'm new here, and I'm going to start doing FAM because the Nuvaring was giving me constant yeast infections. I'm not currently sexually active, but I really like the idea of getting to know my body, so I'm excited about trying FAM out. I've been reading TCOYF, but there's one thing I don't get. I realize this may be a dumb beginner

Comments

[christirose]

The first five days of the cycle are safe - three days if your shortest cycle in the past year was 25 days or less. Then there’s the dry day rule: If you’re dry throughout the day and into the evening, then it’s also safe.

On any day/evening you notice cervical fluid, either abstain or use birth-control. This involves checking CF throughout the day (bathroom breaks are perfect, I find) at the vulva and at the cervix also and don’t shortcut this. ;-)

Last, this is assuming that sex happens in the evening - after cervical fluid has had enough time to trickle down. For daytime sex, the book is a bit more vague. It might be safe but, if you really need to avoid, you’re better of being conservative and cautious and abstaining or using birth control.

[beanrows]

I'd just like to add to that that the first five days are safe only if you had a noticeable temp shift...oh I forget the number of days before, but it's in TCOYF. I haven't looked too carefully at that one, but I think it's probably because if you don't have the shift, the bleeding you're having could be anovulatory bleeding (and therefore potentially fertile).

[asunlitrose]

Thanks, that does make sense. I assume when I start having sex again I'm going to use condoms every time, but I'm going to look for the cervical fluid (and the temperature rise) to see which days I should abstain.

[supercarrot]

sperm will die within 2 hours in a dry environment, but what if your body decides to start producing fertile fluid within that time frame?

that's why having sex prior to ovulation is considered "low" fertility and not infertile. (as opposed to the infertility of 3-4+ days post ovulation)

for folks that absolutely can't have children, i reccommend at least using condoms throughout the follicular phase (scientific terminology for pre-ovulation phase)

(and for folks that aren't in a monogamous relationship, condoms should be used anyway. you know. STD's and all.)

[asunlitrose]

That makes sense. I'm thinking I should and will follow your advice about using condoms throughout the follicular phase. :) Thanks!

[oboegoddess]

Before ovulation, you go by cervical fluid to determine if you are fertile. If it is a dry day, than you are safe, if there is any cervical fluid whatsoever, it's best to use another form of protection. After ovulation, you go by the decrease in cervical fluid as well as the temp jump.

[asunlitrose]

The dry days include the sticky and creamy stages, right? I'm having trouble seeing the dry days right now because even right after my period I'm not really dry, just really watery. I haven't had normal discharge in a REALLY long time (maybe 3 years or more?) so I'm guessing I'll know what she means when she talks about "slippery" discharge when I get to it.

[oboegoddess]

Sticky and creamy days before ovulation should still be treated as fertile, because they precede the super-fertile egg-white cm.

You're always going to have some vaginal wetness, but if it evaporates right away on your finger, than I would consider it dry.

Once you chart a few cycles, you'll get to know your body's basic patterns a bit better (which is why they say not to use it as birth control until you've charted a few months and get the hang of it).

[eyelid]

In general I would say chart a couple cycles, notice your patterns, and then decide w/that evidence what is safe for you.

I don't ovulate till day 19 at the earliest. EWCM on day 16. So up till around day 14 or so I'm in the clear.

[bgumpopchick]

My thermometer also measures 1/100th of a degree. I have been following normal rounding rules and haven't had a problem noticing shifts (although this is only my second cycle charing). I think that you will probably be ok as long as you are consistent in the method you use to round.