How to Track Your Menstrual Cycles

Called the Fertility Awareness Method and the Natural Family Planning Method tracking your menstrual cycle can be helpful for pregnancy achievement, avoidance or simply to have a better understanding of your body. Most women use a monthly calendar to mark their period. This way of tracking cycles will give you a greater insight into what goes on with your body each month.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A bedside journal
• A basal body thermometer
• A BBT Chart

1. Read Toni Weschler's book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" and specific chapters related to your health needs: trying to conceive, trying to avoid a pregnancy, pre-menopause and menopause (see resources link below).

2. Keep your thermometer, chart and journal on your nightstand next to the bed.

3. At the same time each morning take your waking temperature and record it in the chart.

4. Track daily cervical mucus and record it on your BBT chart with a brief description. Common describers include: creamy, milky, dry, sticky, and egg white (abbreviated EWCM).

5. In the journal record instances of mood swings, travel, and stressful days. Record other signs of fertility such as sore breasts, cervical mucus, and an increased sex drive.

6. Also keep track of days you have intercourse and whether it was protected or unprotected sex.

7. Use Toni Weschler's book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" to identify fertile signs as well as find answers to common questions on sympto-thermal fertility awareness (see resources link below).

Tips & Warnings

• Copy Weschler's BBT charts in her book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" to easily track daily temperatures and other signs.
• Consider the Jonas Method and Lunaception to determine if you are fertile during other times of your cycle (see resources link below).
• Irregular and heavy menstrual cycles can be a sign of an underlying health condition. Always seek advice from your midwife or gynecologist for questions on reproductive health.

Resources

• Toni Weschler's Taking Charge of Your Fertility
• Lunaception
• Conscious Conception

[bethany1202]

on 4/13/2009 Good info and tips.