“I always knew it existed as far back as I can remember because my Mum practiced Fertility Awareness when she was trying to conceive for the second time.”

It’s estimated that 3% of sexually active women in the United States use a Fertility Awareness-Based Method to avoid pregnancy – that’s over 1.1 million women! Unfortunately, the majority are using the outdated and ineffective rhythm method. Here in Australia, data from 2012-13 indicates that approximately 1.4% of sexually active women are using some form of Fertility Awareness-Based Method to avoid pregnancy.

The good news is that more and more women are placing their bodily autonomy and hormonal health as first priority and we are likely to see these numbers increase dramatically over the coming decade (especially as femtech advancements bring natural fertility management further into the public eye).

Join the conversation as I chat with people around the world to hear their stories and experiences with Fertility Awareness-Based Methods.

Lee-Anne, thanks so much for chatting with me! First off, where in the world do you call home?
Thanks! I’m from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

For those who don’t know you, can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a data analyst by day and artist by night who did not get to this place in life by accident.  I got sober and decided to turn my life around at 30 and have been accomplishing my goals ever since. Due to being diagnosed with endometriosis and a blocked tube, trying to conceive has taken me almost two years but my recent fibroid removal surgery has brought me much-needed optimism and I’m ready for the next chapter: motherhood!

Amazing! That sounds like an incredible journey. How did you discover Fertility Awareness?
I always knew it existed as far back as I can remember because my Mum practiced Fertility Awareness when she was trying to conceive for the second time. She is a nurse who is also huge into the natural world so it was always ingrained in me to listen to your body and to love yourself.

Which protocol do you follow and why?
I use the Symptothermal Method but when I first started charting about six years ago I only tracked cervical fluid. I’ve now evolved to tracking temperature, cervical fluid, mood, bodily symptoms, and cervical position. 

What was your greatest challenge when learning to chart?
Knowing what to record for days when you have more than one type of CM from morning to night.

What do you think is the greatest benefit that practising a FABM has brought to your life?
I now understand that lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and stress levels have a huge impact on my mood/PMS symptoms which makes me feel more in control in my life.  Charting also helps me to see when something is out of wack in my body so that I can take the steps to fix it.

How has practicing a FABM impacted your relationship?
Charting and researching all things FAM has improved my analytical mind greatly which translates to more confidence and articulation when it comes to my moods and cycles.  I feel my fiance respects me more because of this.

Do you think FABM’s are growing in popularity, and if so, why?
Yes because more information is getting out there around hormonal birth control and more women are seeing the negative consequences of this and researching other options.  I also believe an increasing number of couples are waiting until they’re older and more settled in their careers before attempting to start their families which, in turn, can become more of a struggle which will naturally prompt them to look into FABMs.

What advice would you give to women who are interested in Fertility Awareness?
Don’t let anyone, doctors included, tell you this method is bunk. It is literally the science of how women’s bodies work.  Take your time and get curious about your body and your fluctuations- you’ll learn so much. 

Thanks Lee-Anne! Where else can we find you?
I have a youtube channel where I talk about all things alcohol recovery and share my trying to conceive journey:

 

Do you have a story to share? Positive, negative or somewhere in between – I would love to hear about your experiences with Fertility Awareness. Contact me using the form below.