L5.2.4.1.1.3: Symptothermal Method

• Symptothermal Method

  ❖ Fertile and infertile days are identified by combining the BBT, cervical mucus observations, and other fertility signs such as:

  ● Breast tenderness or breast engorgement

  ● Ovulatory Pain or Unilateral abdominal pain

  ● Dysmenorrhea

  ● Other symptoms
• As it is a combination of the BBT and Billings method, you simply track and observe both your basal body temperature and cervical secretions, as well as other symptoms. You still take both observations on a line graph chart and note:

  1. The Thermal Shift (For BBT)
  2. The Peak Day (For Billings)
• When to Avoid Intercourse

  Between the first day of monthly bleeding and either the 4th day after peak cervical secretions or the third full day after the rise in BBT.

  
  

  What will be followed then: the BBT or the Billings Method?

  ● It is safer to have unprotected sex following the rule (either Thermal Shift or Peak Day) that occurs way later than the other.
• When to Resume Intercourse

  Between the end of menses/menstruation and the beginning of secretions in the evening of every other day, but NOT in 2 days in a row!
• Example: Following the:

  ● BBT - The Thermal Shift occurred on day 16 (36.4 became 36.8). Counting 3 days FROM day 16, it is recommended that the couple has sex on day 19.

  ● BILLINGS - The Peak Day occurred on day 14 (stated as clear and slippery in the chart, right before it became dry). Counting 3 days AFTER day 14, it is recommended that the couple has sex on day 18.

  What will be FOLLOWED from the 2?

  ● The BBT will be followed as the safe day to have sex occurs later than what the Billings Method recommends.

  
• EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYMPTOTHERMAL METHOD:

  About 2 per 100 women who use the method correctly and consistently and abstain from fertile days become pregnant over the first year of use.