Symptothermal method
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The symptothermal method (STM) is a method that a woman may use to track her fertility. It is based on the three primary signs of fertility used in fertility awareness methods. STM tracks basal body temperature and cervical mucus changes in conjunction with a calendar calculation. Individual minor indicators of fertility are observed and used, help to more accurately recognize ovulation time.[1]
STM allows a woman to be more accurate in predicting her "safe days" than if she were to use any one of the methods alone. When using these methods together, the signs of one can be used to confirm those of the others. Combining methods also permits unprotected sexual relations during the early "dry days". STM also and shortens the required period of refraining from unprotected intercourse, when compared to using the BBT method alone.[2]
STM requires that a woman take her temperature every morning before she gets out of bed and record the reading. Depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle, there will be slight variations in her temperature. These variations are most easily measured with a special thermometer that has a range of only a few degrees, known as a basal thermometer. Before ovulation, the temperature is likely to be between 97.2 and 97.4 degrees F. After ovulation, it will rise by at least 0.5 degrees and is often above 98 degrees F. When the temperature stays elevated for at least three days, a woman may assume she has already ovulated. Unprotected intercourse for the rest of the cycle will not result in pregnancy. To determine the infertile time before ovulation, a woman needs to look at her pattern of previous cycles. Her last "safe" day is one week before the earliest recorded day of temperature rise, or 5 days after the first day of her period. [1]
STM has the following advantages:
- No physical side effects as any drugs, devices, chemicals or surgery required.
- It is safe.
- It is economical.
- It can be discontinued easily if pregnancy is desired.
- Once learned properly, doesn’t need any follow up or supply of contraceptives.
- Can be used as a form of natural family planning, in accordance with the requirements for sexual behavior dictated by the Catholic church
Birth control effectiveness
If used correctly, the symptothermal method can be as effective as taking the combined oral contraceptive pill to avoid unplanned pregnancies. Research indicates that if a couple either abstain from sex or use a barrier method during the fertile period, the rate of unplanned pregnancies was 0.4 percent and 0.6 percent per year, respectively. The pregnancy rate for women who used the symptothermal method correctly in this study, 0.4 percent, is the equivalent to one pregnancy per 250 women per year. [2]