Barrier methods of contraception (diaphragms, condoms, sponges, etc.) provide the perfect alternative for women who are interested in protecting their fertility, but they are less likely to prevent pregnancy than hormonal methods. If the idea of messing around with your hormones isn't exactly appealing but the low success rates of barrier methods is off-putting, fertility awareness method (FAM) may be the right choice for you.

Amazingly enough, educated women are often ignorant when it comes to their own fertility. In a British medical study, more than 30 percent of women interviewed mistakenly answered that ovulation occurs during menstruation. Becoming aware of your fertility is empowering and offers you a non-invasive, drug-free method of birth control – and even increases your chances of getting pregnant when you decide the time is right.

With FAM, you learn to identify your fertile and infertile phases using several clinical indicators (basal body temperature and cervical mucous). Once you know when your fertile phase is, you can simply abstain from intercourse during that time to prevent pregnancy. Used correctly, FAM can be up to 98 percent effective.

"I never believed it would work," says Laurie*. "It sounded too easy, but it's actually a complex – though not complicated – process, and we were able to space our four children almost exactly two and a half years apart, just as we wanted." Laurie also found that using FAM had some indirect benefits. "Sean and I were equally responsible for our birth control method, and we are much more comfortable talking about our sexuality than many other couples," she says. 

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