KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Fertility Awareness By Sommer Barnes

WHAT IS F.A.M.? Daily observable changes throughout the menstrual cycle Reflection of general and reproductive health – “body literacy” Application of this knowledge to prevent or achieve pregnancy, and/or to monitor general health.

MISCONCEPTIONS The menstrual cycle is 28 days long Ovulation occurs two weeks after menstruation Fertility Awareness is the “Rhythm Method” Women always conceive the day that they have intercourse, and/or the day they ovulate

BASICS A normal menstrual cycle varies from 24 to 32 days, depending on the length of the first phase, the follicular phase The postovulatory phase or luteal phase is very consistent within each woman The latter part of your cycle is unaffected by external stressors

US SEX EDUCATION Only 22 states mandate any form of sex ed. in public schools Eleven states require HIV and STD education, but not general sexual health education (The Guttmacher Institute)

16 & PREGNANT One third of all US teenagers with unintended pregnancies did not use birth control because they did not believe they could get pregnant. (Polis, 2012)

BASICS Phase 1: Estrogen Phase 2: Progesterone Progesterone causes basal body temperature to rise Before ovulation waking temperatures typically vary between 97.0 and 97.5ºF After ovulation temperatures are between 97.6 and 98.6ºF

OTHER SIGNS Copious cervical fluid Mild mid-cycle pain Mid-cycle spotting Breast tenderness Changes in cervical position

WHY CHART? “Well, knowledge is power, girls, and with that knowledge comes pride instead of embarrassment, confidence instead of fear.” -Toni Weschler, MPH Cycle Savvy: The Smart Teen’s Guide to the Mysteries of Her Body

BENEFITS No alarms and no surprises Know when you are most likely to be fertile (abstain, use back-up, or get it on) Understanding what’s normal -- and what’s not -- for your body

MORE BENEFITS “Your observations can provide information about your overall and reproductive health, and how dietary and lifestyle choices, like exercise, white sugar and fresh vegetables, affect your body.” (Scarleteen: Sex Ed for the Real World)

RESOURCES TCOYF.com – download charts, get an overview Fertaware.com – FAM guide with FAQs Scarleteen.com – Very comprehensive sex ed for teens (and everybody else!)

REFERENCES Guttmacher Institute. State Policies in Brief: Sex and HIV Education. Guttmacher Report on Public Policy; 1 Apr Koff E, Rierdan J, Stubbs M. Conceptions and Misconceptions of the Menstrual Cycle. Women & Health, 2008 [online]. Available from: Polis CB, Zabin LS. Missed conceptions or misconceptions: Perceived infertility among unmarried young adults in the United States. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 44.1, Weschler T. Cycle Savvy: The Smart Teen’s Guide to the Mysteries of Her Body