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Sympto Thermal Method
Education, Information & Products for Husbands and Wives

Natural Birth Control Methods

What is the Sympto Thermal Method of Natural Birth Control?

What is the Sympto-Thermal Method? 

The Sympto Thermal Method of natural birth control is a very natural and predictable way to either achieve or avoid pregnancy. The Sympto Thermal Method does not involve the use of any chemicals (birth control pills, vaginal creams or gels), mechanical/barriers (male or female condoms, IUD's or diaphragms) or surgical interventions (male or female sterilization). 

This method uses the basic counting from one period to the next period on a calendar. To find your ovulation time based on this method, you will need to record your menstrual cycle information for a couple of cycles. If you are trying to avoid pregnancy, you should note that this method has a 20% failure rate. This means you could get pregnant.

**There are many variations to figuring your cycle length, but most come up with the same ending result.**

Begin with the second day of your bleeding period. Count the days to the start of your next bleeding period. You should include the day of your next period. Or you can count from the first day of your bleeding period to the day before your next period. This is not including the day of your next period. Both of these counting methods would result in the same answer.

Look at the chart below. This chart is an example of a 28-day cycle that has a 5 day bleeding period. The red numbers are the bleeding period.

**Note: If you count from the first day of your period, the day that menstrual bleeding begins, this is Day 1.  Continue counting the days to until your/your wife's next period (which includes the day of the next period) you are adding on one extra day to your cycle. This is incorrect.** Click here if you want to know why this would be incorrect.

Usually a woman, who has a 28-day cycle, will ovulate around the 14^th day. If your cycle is shorter or longer than this, you do not always ovulate on the 14^th day. Many pregnancies that were unplanned are due to the fact that women believe everyone's ovulation day is on the 14^th day. This is not true.

The Cervical Mucus Method of Natural Birth Control

This method involves looking at the discharge or cervical mucus during your monthly cycle. During different stages of your cycle, your cervical mucus will change in various ways.

The cervical mucus can be retrieved by inserting a finger (index) into the vagina and bringing out the cervical mucus. Some women do have luck with simply using tissue (wiping) or just inserting their finger. The majority of women will have better results if they circle around the cervix or as deep as possible, and hook their finger while bringing the cervical mucus out. This will allow you to gather as much of the cervical mucus as possible. If you just insert your finger, you may only gather the wetness of the actual cervical mucus.

After you retrieve the cervical mucus, put your index (with the cervical mucus) against your thumb and separate the fingers slowly. If you notice the cervical mucus just globbing to one finger, you are not ovulating. If the cervical mucus is very stretchable and clear, you are probably near or at your ovulation phase.

The cervical mucus will appear clear, slippery, and be very stretchable. It should resemble a raw egg white. This cervical mucus will usually stretch 1 to 2 inches between your fingers before globbing to one finger.

As you can see, the cervical mucus changes back to cloudy after ovulation has occurred. Some women may ovulate one to two days wherein the cervical mucus very clear, slippery and "stretchable."  Other women may only ovulate a few hours in one day. These women may have problems conceiving due to the short amount of ovulation time. The cervical mucus in a woman that only ovulates a couple of hours may be clear, slippery and very stretchable in the morning or night and then change to cloudy a couple of hours later. If you are experiencing cervical mucus that only lasts a couple of hours, you may be able to conceive if you have intercourse during the "peak" hours of your ovulation phase.

If you are not able to retrieve or see any cervical mucus, you may not be inserting your finger deep enough, not ovulating, on a medication that changes the vaginal environment (dry), or you may be over 35.

You should first try to insert your finger deeper into the vagina to extract cervical mucus. If this does not work, you may have to use another method to try and conceive. You may consider BBT (basal body) temperature method, tes tape, or ovulation predictor kits.

You should ask your doctor about medication(s) you are on and how they may affect vaginal secretions. If possible get off of the medication before trying to conceive or change medications. You may find that another medication will not affect the vaginal environment.

If you are near the age of 35, the vaginal environment tends to become dry and with the appearance of no cervical mucus. You should try using another method to conceive. You may consider BBT (basal body temperature method) tes tape, or ovulation predictor kits.

If the cervical mucus is not changing during your cycle, you may need to gather more of it, look closely at small changes, and check more often. The cervical mucus method does not work for all women. You may need to change to another method to help conceive. You may consider BBT (basal body) temperature method, tes tape, or ovulation predictor kits.

What is the Basal Body Temperature method of Natural Birth Control?

The temperature method, also known as Basal Body Temperature, The Basal Body Temperature method, is a natural way to either avoid or achieve pregnancy.

First you will need to by a "basal body temperature" thermometer. These thermometers are very accurate and measure the smallest degree of change in temperature. The regular thermometers used for taking temperature will not work because you have to see how the temperature is changing in tenths of a degree (like 97.4, 98.5, 99.2) not by a full point (like 97, 98, 99). 

Instructions for using the basal body thermometer:

1. Take your temperature consistently, at the same time, in your preferred method, either orally, vaginally or rectally.  It is very important that this same method, and time be followed every day!  

2. Do not eat, drink, or smoke before taking your temperature.

3. After getting out of bed or while still laying in bed, is the best time to take your temperature.

4. Chart the results. After you take your temperature, put a dot on the BBT chart that came with your thermometer. 

5. You will note that your ovulation time will be between the sharp drop and quick rise in temperature. Some say that ovulation is at the point when it drops and some say it is at the point when it is rising.

What is the Birth Control Sponge?

The Birth Control Sponge is a donut-shaped polyurethane device containing spermicide and a woven polyester loop that hangs down into the vagina for removal. Note: In 1995, the sponge was taken off the market in the United States by its manufacturer. The Birth Control Sponge is currently available in Canada and expected to return to the U.S. market soon.

How is the Birth Control Sponge inserted and used?

The Birth Control Sponge can be inserted by the husband or wife, insuring that the sponge is inserted deep enough into her/your vagina - and insuring the sponge covers the cervix. The Birth Control Sponge can be left in place for 24 hours and multiple acts of intercourse; however, it must be left in the vagina for 6 hours after the last act of intercourse.

Instructions for Inserting the Birth Control Sponge 

1.  Remove sponge from package and wet it thoroughly with clean water.

2.  Squeeze the sponge until it foams completely, to activate the spermicide. There is more than enough spermicide in the sponge, so squeeze until it foams generously while adding plenty of water, but stop squeezing after it begins foaming

3. Fold the sides of the sponge upward and insert it deeply in your/her vagina making sure it covers the cervix.

4. The birth control sponge can be inserted up to 24 hours prior to intercourse and provides immediate and continuous contraception during this period, regardless of the frequency of intercourse.

5. The birth control sponge should be left in place for six hours after the last act of intercourse but no longer than 30 hours after insertion.

6. You/your wife may swim or tub bathe with the birth control sponge properly placed in your/her vagina. 

NOTE:  Strenuous activity and some sexual activity could dis-lodge the proper placement of the birth control sponge inside your/her vagina. 

7. Do not use the birth control sponge during your menstrual period. Another method of birth control should be used during this time.

8. The birth control sponge should be removed by grasping the loop that is attached to the back of the sponge. Do not attempt to pull on the sponge, as it may fragment.

Does the Birth Control Sponge protect against STDs?

No.

Does the Birth Control Sponge protect against pregnancy?

Yes.

What are the chances of getting pregnant while using a sponge?

Typical use: 20%

Perfect use: 9%


What are the advantages to using the Birth Control Sponge?

The Birth Control Sponge protects for 24 hours and multiple acts of intercourse during that time. Many couples find it more exciting, and helps her arousal if the husband inserts the birth control sponge prior to intercourse.

Are there any disadvantages to using the Birth Control Sponge?

The Birth Control Sponge must not be left in the vagina for more than 30 hours or the female runs the risk of toxic shock syndrome.

What is Vaginal Dryness?

Vaginal dryness is one of the most distressing, and painful problems a woman faces.  Vaginal dryness occurs when the natural vagina secretions decreases within the vagina. The amount of vaginal moisture varies throughout a woman's monthly menstrual cycle. Vaginal dryness is particularly problematical as a woman enters and becomes menopausal.

What is menopause?

Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life when her period stops. That's why some people call menopause "the change of life" or "the change." During menopause a woman's body slowly produces less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This often happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row.

What is hormone therapy for menopause?

Hormone therapy for menopause has also been called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Lower hormone levels in menopause may lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness and thin bones. To help with these problems, women are often given estrogen or estrogen with progestin (another hormone). Like all medicines, hormone therapy has risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about hormones. If you decide to use hormones, use them at the lowest dose that helps. Also use them for the shortest time that you need them.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Every woman's period will stop at menopause. Some women may not have any other symptoms at all. As you near menopause, you may have:

• Changes in your period--time between periods or flow may be different.

• Hot flashes ("hot flushes")--getting warm in the face, neck and chest.

• Night sweats and sleeping problems that lead to feeling tired, stressed or tense.

• Vaginal changes--the vagina may become dry and thin, and sex may be painful.

• Thinning of your bones, which may lead to loss of height and bone breaks (osteoporosis).

Who needs treatment for symptoms of menopause?

• For some women, many of these changes will go away over time without treatment.

• Some women will choose treatment for their symptoms and to prevent bone loss. If you choose treatment, estrogen alone or estrogen with progestin (for a woman who still has her uterus or womb) can be used.

What are the benefits from using hormones for menopause?

Hormone therapy is the most effective FDA approved medicine for relief of hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness.

Hormones may reduce your chances of getting thin, weak bones (osteoporosis) which break easily.

What are the risks of using hormones?

For some women, hormone therapy may increase their chances of getting blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and gall bladder disease. For a woman with a uterus, estrogen increases her chance of getting endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). Adding progestin lowers this risk.

Should I use estrogen just to prevent thin bones?

You can, but there are also other medicines and things you can do to help your bones.

Should I use hormone therapy to protect the heart or prevent strokes?

No, do not use hormone therapy to prevent heart attacks or strokes.

Should I use hormone therapy to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease?

No, do not use hormone therapy to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease.

Do hormones protect against aging and wrinkles or increase my sex drive?

Studies have not shown that hormone therapy prevents aging and wrinkles or increases sex drive.

How long should I use hormones for menopause?

You should talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Again, hormones should be used at the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time. (For example, check if you still need them every 3-6 months.)

Does it make a difference what form of hormones I use for menopause?

The risks and benefits may be the same for all hormone products for menopause, such as pills, patches, vaginal creams, gels and rings.

Are herbs and other "natural" products useful in treating symptoms of menopause?

At this time, we do not know if herbs or other "natural" products are helpful or safe. Studies are being done to learn about the benefits and risks.Our thanks to the FDA that assisted in some of the content on this page.

Watch for our new book, now being reviewed by several leading publishers: 

Gynecology for Guys
"What Every Dad and Husband Must Know about 
Gynecology and Gynecological Health"

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