Jessie will be here to guide you and support you on your journey, but for you to get the most benefit you will need to approach this course with a positive can-do attitude. Learning is HARD work! It's not easy. It requires consistency, dedication and determination. It also requires a curious mind. This course is a group learning program and involves sharing and learning collaboratively. You will need to be comfortable with this to join. If you think you will struggle with any of the above, then this course is not for you.

Key instances where this course differs from pure NFPTA include but are not limited to: >>>>>>>>>>Calculation rules>>> NFPTA-UK utilises a First Five Day Rule, an S-21 Rule and an S-20 Rule (and unofficially offers a Minus-8 Rule styled on Döering’s research and protocols). These are incrementally offered as users move through phases (first three cycles, cycles 4-6, cycles 7-12, and cycles 13 and onward). Jessie believes the calculation rules offered through NFPTA-UK are overly convoluted and can work to confuse users. Instead, Jessie offers simplified conservative calculation rules closer to those of the Sensiplan protocol. Jessie follows NFPTA-UK protocol and recommends reserving unprotected sex to Phase 3 only during the first three menstrual cycles of learning. From the 4th menstrual cycle onward, users may choose from the First Five Day Rule or the S-20 Rule (pending certain important conditions are met). From the 13th menstrual cycle onward, users may apply the Minus 8 Rule (pending certain important conditions are met). The calculation rules taught by Jessie are based on historical Symptothermal Method protocols backed by modern research.>>>>>>>>>>Basal body temperature>>> NFPTA-UK allows for adjustments of temperatures taken at different times of the morning. Jessie does not teach or support this practice as she believes it can encourage BBT inaccuracies. NFPTA-UK does not provide an exception rule to cover fallback rises; Jessie teaches a Fallback Rise rule in accordance with historical Symptothermal Method protocols and this approach is backed by modern research on temperature monitoring. NFPTA-UK provides charts in a temperature scale of 0.05°C and require temperatures to be plotted between lines. NFPTA-UK employ a visually raised coverline and and do not provide a rounding guide for temperatures. Jessie provides charts in a temperature scale of 0.1°C/0.2°F and temperatures can be plotted both between and on the lines. Jessie teaches a coverline that is placed on the highest of the six lows and is not visually raised. Jessie provides a rounding guide for temperatures to be rounded to the nearest 0.05°C/0.1°F as per historical research and guidelines for BBT charting. >>>>>>>>>>Cervical mucus>>> NFPTA-UK have a cervical mucus classification system of three tiers (any mucus seen, wet/stretchy, clear/slippery). Jessie does not teach these cervical mucus categories. Instead, Jessie teaches students how to record (in their own words) the visual characteristics of their cervical mucus, in addition to sensations at the vulva. Users then summarise these observations into a simple three-tier category of Dry, Non-Peak and Peak type observations. This classification system (Dry, Non-Peak and Peak) is based on historical Symptothermal Method protocols and backed by modern research. It is best suited to users in times of regular fertility and is less suited to those relying primarily on cervical mucus only in the postpartum and perimenopause.

If your period has "disappeared" due to overexercising, undereating or stress this course is not appropriate for you. Please reach out as I can point you toward resources if you are struggling to regain your period due to Hypothalamic Amenorrhea.

IMPORTANT: If you have recently given birth, and are awaiting the return of your fertility, I recommend that you seek out instruction from a Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) Instructor as opposed to taking this course. The BOM is a cervical mucus only method. The BOM may reduce the need for long periods of abstinence, and allow you to make use of more days for unprotected sex while you await your first postpartum ovulation. Similar applies if you are currently perimenopausal. Please feel free to email me for a referral to a BOM instructor as you navigate these special circumstances of fertility. Alternatively, you are welcome to make the informed decision to go ahead and join the Natural Contraception online course to learn the Symptothermal Method.

You should be aware that if you have very long cycles, this will result in longer periods of time where abstinence or alternative barrier methods of contraception are required. The Symptothermal Method itself is still highly effective and able to confirm that ovulation is occurring; however, extended periods of time using barrier methods of contraception (such as condoms) can be frustrating for some users. Extended periods of time using barrier methods of contraception such as condoms may also reduce the effectiveness of the method (as you are relying for longer periods of time on the lower effectiveness of barrier methods). IMPORTANT: If your cycle is very long (for example if you have PCOS and consistently have menstrual cycles that are over 50 days long), I recommend that you seek out instruction from a Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) Instructor as opposed to taking this course. The BOM is a cervical mucus only method. The BOM may reduce the need for long periods of abstinence, and allow you to make use of more days for unprotected sex. Please feel free to email me for a referral to a BOM instructor (or alternatively you can also make the informed decision to go ahead and sign up for the Natural Contraception Online Course).

If you answered "not usually", you should be aware that you may need to change your routine slightly to use the Symptothermal Method. If it is not possible to change your routine, there are other ways to work around this issue; however, you should be aware that this may require a financial outlay for a Tempdrop device. Alternatively, it may require that we use different methods of temperature-taking that will take up more of your time. If you want more information about this before investing in this course, please reach out to speak with Jessie.

If you frequently drink alcohol, you should be aware that this can impact the accuracy of your basal body temperatures. A glass here and there of red wine with dinner is not usually an issue; however, any more than this may have an impact. Sometimes, it is necessary to avoid nights of drinking during times of your cycle where it is important to obtain an accurate BBT (such as around the time of ovulation). Sometimes, using the Symptothermal Method may require a lifestyle change toward less drinking. It's important that you are aware of this before investing your time and money into learning the Symptothermal Method.

If you indicate yes, please organise to check in with your healthcare provider for a pap smear test (if you haven't recently done so). This is especially important if you experience bleeding after sex. Please be aware that if your charts indicate non-menstrual bleeding/spotting, Jessie will ask if/when you have recently had a pap smear.

The term 'coitus-dependent contraceptive' refers to any type of method that must be used consistently during every sexual encounter. Coitus-dependent contraceptives include: Coitus interruptus (sometimes known as the “withdrawal method” or the “pullout method”), condoms (both internal and external), diaphragms, cervical caps, contraceptive sponges and spermicides. Week 6 content includes detailed modules on coitus-dependent contraceptives.

An extended payment plan is available for those who require it. The course fee is split across four equal payments during the first four months. The first of these four payments is required before course access is granted.

If you are a Naturopath, Herbalist, Acupuncturist, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Yoga teacher, Health Coach, Wellness Coach, Nurse, General Practitioner, Obstetrician Gynaecologist or any other allied, alternative or medical health professional who wishes to teach patients and clients how to use the Symptothermal Method for pregnancy prevention, conception or hormonal health-tracking, you will need to obtain a certification through an accredited teacher training provider (such as NFPTA-UK, SymptoPro, Sensiplan, Couple to Couple League, Natural Fertility New Zealand, Justisse, The WELL, Billings Ovulation Method, Creighton, or FEMM). It is recommended to chart your cycles with your chosen FABM for at least one year before embarking on a teacher training course.