2. Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning © 2003, Northwest Family Services. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical or any other method, including photography, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission of the publisher.

3. Session One Basic Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology The Menstrual Cycle as a Whole Charting the Waking Temperature Evaluating the Temperature Pattern Charting the Cervical Mucus by Tissue and Sensation Setting Peak Day

4. Bladder Vas Deferens Urethra Penis Testes Scrotum Male Anatomy Epididymis Seminal Vesicle

5. Male Fertility Sperm found in the epididymis Sperm in transit

6. Uterus EndometriumFallopian Tube Ovum Ovary Vagina Cervical Crypts Female Anatomy Cervix

7. Female Fertility Egg cell at ovulationEgg cell traveling in the fallopian tube

8. Couple Fertility Male Fertility is constant Female Fertility is in cycles Sperm Cervical Mucus + Egg

9. Progesterone Type Mucus Estrogen Type Mucus Cervical Mucus Fertile TimeInfertile Time

10. Role of Cervical Mucus Ovulation is the release of the egg cell. It occurs on one day each cycle. The egg cell lives only 12 to 24 hours. Sperm need cervical mucus to survive. – Without it they die within hours. – With good cervical mucus, sperm can live 3 to 5 days.

11. Process of Conception Fallopian Tube Conception Yellow Body Mucus (helps sperm to live) Vagina Cervix Uterus

12. Images of Conception Egg and sperm before conception Fertilization and new life begins

13. Impact of Progesterone 1. Prevents Ovulation Yellow Body Progesterone 3. Mucus Plug 2. Temperature Rises & Stays High 4. Enriches Uterine Lining

14. Post-Ovulatory Phase Constant Last day of Menstrual Cycle 2 weeks Ovulation 23 Days 28 Days 32 Days Before Ovulation After Ovulation When does ovulation occur?

15. Woman’s Hormonal Sequence Progesterone Estrogen LH FSH

16. Hormones Testosterone LH FSH Male Hormone Pattern Female Hormone Pattern LH Progesterone Estrogen FSH Blood Levels

17. Each Cycle Has 3 Phases Onset of True Menses Start of Fertility 3 rd High Temp Peak Day Possibly Fertile Time Relatively Infertile Time Completely Infertile Time

18. Temperature Pattern

19. Do Activity #2 Use pages 5 and 6 in your activity packet. Record the readings from the thermometers on page 6 day-by-day on the graph displayed on page 5.

20. Temperature Method

21. Temperature Taking Technique Consistency is essential Body rhythms are a factor Chart disturbances

22. The Temperature Pattern May Look Like This:

23. Watch for 3 Temperatures in a Row…

24. All higher than immediately preceding 6… 6 5 4 3 2 1

25. To separate the “initial” highs from the “final” lows 6 5 4 3 2 1

26. Draw a Pre-Rise Baseline through the highest of the final 6 lows 6 5 4 3 2 1 PRB

27. Do Activity #3 Establishing a Pre-Rise Baseline. See pages 7 and 8.

28. Seasons of the Cycle Mucus Days Peak 1 3 2 Dry Days Menstruation Pre-Ovulatory Infertile Time Post-Ovulatory Infertile Time Possible Fertile Time are like Seasons of the year

29. Cervical Mucus - Wipe - Look - Test

30. EWM

31. EWMMM

32. EWMMMØ Ø

33. Tissue Symbols Tissue-Dry:Ø Sticky Mucus:M Traits: P, O, ¼, ½, ¾. Egg-White Mucus:EW-M Traits: 1, OT, T, G.

34. Vaginal Sensations d = “nothing,” dry, or slightly itchy = “something,” as if “secreting moisture” L = lubrication, slipperiness or runny-wet feeling mMmM

35. Sensation Tissue d felt = Ø seen felt = M seen L felt = EW-M seen mMmM

36. Peak Day EWMMMØØ d mMmM L mMmM d

37. Sample Chart PK 6 54 321

38. Do Activity #4 Using the graph on page 5 of the activity packet and the “fertility” diary on page 9, fill in the symbols, the traits, and Peak Day.

39. Be Sure to Chart Every day at the end of the day. The most fertile sign of the day. What you actually observe.

40. Factors Disturbing the Cervical Mucus Observation Douching and vaginal sprays. Scented tampons and sanitary napkins. Fabric softeners used in the dryer. Synthetic underwear. Medications such as steroids or antihistamines. Presence of an IUD. Hormonal products or contraceptives. Withdrawal or barrier contraceptives. Seminal fluid.