Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs)

What is it?

Fertility awareness methods (AKA “FAMs”, "natural family planning” and “the rhythm method.”) are ways to track your ovulation so you can prevent pregnancy.

Does it prevent STIs?

No. While FAMs are an effective way to prevent pregnancy, they don’t prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using condoms or internal condoms and combining them with FAMs helps prevent diseases and pregnancy at the same time.

What types of fertility awareness methods exist?

The most common FAMs are the calendar method, the temperature method, and the cervical mucus method.

Is it right for you?

Fertility awareness methods are not usually recommended for teenagers because it can be hard to use these methods correctly, so they’re less effective than other types of birth control.

Talking with a health provider is a great place to start. It can also be helpful to talk with friends or trusted adults in your life. Everyone is different, what works best for one person might not be what works best for you.

Go Ask Tara

Go Ask Tara is on a mission to provide sex education and help the youth of Colorado prevent pregnancy and STIs.