Main description:

Fertility Awareness is key to understanding sexual and reproductive health at all life stages. It can be used to either plan or avoid pregnancy. Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) are highly effective when motivated couples are taught by trained practitioners. These methods are in demand for ecological, medical, cultural, religious and moral reasons. The ability to control fertility naturally is a lifestyle choice.

The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness provides the science and methodology suitable for health professionals and a general audience. It covers reproductive physiology and the fertility indicators: temperature, cervical secretions and cycle length calculations. It explores ways to optimise conception and to manage conception delays. Case studies and self-assessment exercises are included throughout. The book addresses the scientific credibility of new technologies including fertility apps, home test kits, monitors and devices.

The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness offers:

evidence-based information for general practitioners, practice nurses, school nurses, midwives, sexual health doctors and nurses

a unique perspective on subfertility for gynaecologists and fertility nurses

an authoritative source of reference for medical, nursing and midwifery students

a straightforward and practical reference for new and experienced FAM users

the core text for the FertilityUK Advanced Skills Course in Fertility Awareness

Contents:

Preface

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

List of figures

List of tables

Images and permissions

Overview of fertility awareness

Male fertility

Female fertility

Temperature: first indicator

Cervical secretions: second indicator

Cervix: third indicator

Calendar calculations: fourth indicator

Minor indicators of fertility

Home test kits and monitors

Combining indicators

Simplified methods

Factors affecting the menstrual cycle

FAMs for women of normal fertility

Contraception and returning fertility

FAMs after hormonal contraception

Breastfeeding, LAM and returning fertility

FAMs during the peri-menopause

Planning pregnancy

Conception delays and assisted fertility

Teaching fertility awareness

Appendix A. Normal fertility chart

Appendix B. Instructions for use

Appendix C. Planning pregnancy chart

Appendix D. Chart summary sheet

Appendix E. Autonomy checklist

Appendix F. Body mass index chart

Appendix G. Drugs which affect the menstrual cycle

Appendix H. Further reading

Bibliography

Index