Unlock Your Charting Potential: Embrace Confidence & Clarity!

External signs or biomarkers, such as cervical mucus changes, temperature shifts, and other physical cues, offer insights into reproductive health. By regularly observing and recording these signals, women can take an active role in monitoring their well-being. Noticing changes in cycle length, discomfort during periods, unusual bleeding, difficulties conceiving, or other gynecological issues can indicate potential hormonal imbalances.

Daily charting of these cues provides valuable information for trained clinicians to diagnose health issues and offer appropriate treatments. It’s a simple yet powerful way for women to understand and manage their reproductive health effectively.

In 1972 the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development and the Human Life Foundation co-sponsored an international conference for natural family planning (NFP). NFP experts from around the world were in attendance and it was at this conference that the definition was developed to encompass most commonly used methods.

Natural family planning methods are means by which a couple uses the daily observations of signs and symptoms of the menstrual cycle to guide the timing of intercourse according to their desire to achieve or avoid pregnancy. 

In 1976 the World Health Organization (WHO) provided an official definition which defined NFP as “the naturally occurring physiological manifestation of fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle”. The term “NFP” is not specifically Catholic; however, The Roman Catholic Church uses this terminology to describe the practice of fertility awareness based methods (FABMs) in conjunction with Catholic Church teaching on marriage and human sexuality.

Let’s clear up the difference between Fertility Awareness (FA) and Natural Family Planning (NFP): scientifically, there isn’t one. These terms are often used interchangeably, especially within the context of the Roman Catholic Church where NFP is more commonly mentioned. However, the rise of FA is to ensure that single women also understand that charting their cycles is relevant and beneficial to them.

It’s crucial to note that charting isn’t something reserved for certain life stages. Whether single, engaged, or married, every woman can benefit from understanding her fertility through charting.

The Catholic Church emphasizes our holistic nature, encouraging us to honor our bodies by grasping our fertility through charting, irrespective of marital status.

Charting may seem complex at first, but that’s why instructors exist – to guide you through the process of interpreting what your body is telling you. Your body provides valuable insights into your health, aiding you in making informed decisions.

Having informed consent empowers us to make positive changes in women’s healthcare. Access to knowledge about our bodies should be universal, allowing every woman to make informed and healthy choices.

Advocating for your health is a powerful step. We might not have been equipped with these tools earlier, but the journey can begin today, regardless of age.

Fertility awareness based methods (FABMs) are a way to track fertile and infertile times during the reproductive cycle. It is based on daily observations (temperature, cervical fluids, hormonal changes), which fluctuate each cycle. During fertile times, abstinence is practiced to avoid pregnancy. Barrier methods are not a part of FABMs due to high rates of user error.

There is no scientific difference between FABMs and FA/NFP. It is simply a terminology choice. The Roman Catholic Church refers to FABMs as NFP because she expands on the theological implications of use for a Catholic couple in their marriage. What does this really mean? It means that the Roman Catholic Church is expanding upon the fact that we are physical and spiritual beings and desires couples to integrate faith and science into their marriage and sex lives.

Fertility awareness methods (FAMs) are a way to track fertile and infertile times during the reproductive cycle. It is based on daily observations (temperature, cervical fluids, hormonal changes), which fluctuate each cycle.

The difference between FABMs and FAMs is the use of barrier methods during fertile times when a couple may be choosing to avoid pregnancy. The use of barrier methods is not in alignment with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and is not permissible for use by Catholic couples.

Unlock Your Charting Potential: Embrace Confidence & Clarity!