What is the symptothermal method?
Over time, calendar methods have been shown to track the phases of the menstrual cycle, are not always reliable means of planning. Therefore, neither counting the days one by one nor using a mobile application can prevent you from getting pregnant.
Why? Well, they work with approximations, so they do not have certain results. Therefore, it is through MST or also known as symptothermal Method, that the fertile states can be known exactly.
If you want to implement a care schedule with a method without hormones or you want know your precise time of ovulation, you need to know this!
Whether you want to avoid pregnancy or stay on top of the perfect time to conceive, the symptothermal method It's just what you need...
What is the symptothermal method?
It is the most modern and up-to-date way to understand female fertility and other details about the menstrual cycle. Its purpose is to be able measure biomarkers that the body emits, depending on the phase in which the reproductive system is working.
It has been shown that by observing the body temperature of the vagina, vaginal fluids and other similar data, you can identify if it is wise or not to have sex.
It is a constant surveillance technique so that it can be really effective: tests must be done 2 or 3 times a day and the information returned is noted for obtaining results.
His miss stat is only 0,4%, but to use it you must have a gynecological preparation and a good sex education. Otherwise, reading the data would be difficult to understand and therefore not useful to you.
However, it is currently very popular for not presenting hormonal changes, in addition to being a sustainable and friendly method with intimate health.
It's just about learning read biological signals y plan your sexuality based on it (whether you want to prevent a pregnancy or, on the contrary, look for it).
How can a record be carried out with the symptothermal method?
This method searches rearrange the phases of the cycle which are given priority, so that it is possible for you to take care of your fertility naturally. Previously, it was believed that menstruation is what governs or conditions the cycle, when really is ovulation.
After all, each month the female organism tries to fertilize, being crucial the most fertile moment of the cycle.
If no effective entry of a sperm has been caused, then menstruation it's a cleaning to prepare the uterus for the next period.
So, the first thing you need to know is that, in order to keep a correct record, we will focus on the ovulation and the processes that are before or after that.
Although it is true that you need prior information, but it's just learning about your body… No complex medicine!
And… How to do it? Don't lose track of these steps which we list below:
It is not a passive method
Contraceptives such as the IUD, injections or pills are mechanisms that require minimal collaboration or commitment. It only remains to follow the instructions regarding the frequency of each application and leave the rest to the medicine and its hormonal blockage.
To plan with symptothermal methodshould have a daily check. As we have already mentioned, the shots should ideally be 2 times a day (but it can be 3 if your gynecologist recommends it).
So you don't get distracted, set alarms on your mobile at hours you can do the control (preferably upon waking and at night).
You will need two essential tools
Your faithful companions in the process will be a basal thermometer and a control application. It is not necessary that you have a physical graphic, since there are many platforms that help you with that.
In addition to allowing you to keep your observations in order, they also make easier to read to identify the phases of your cycle.
The most important thing is that you use a way to simplify your tasks and that you can easily understand. Remember that, ultimately, what matters is that you know the state of your health.
On the other hand, and although it is true that any thermometer can be useful, digital basal thermometers they are more accurate, since they are able to perceive lower temperatures (such as those found in the intimate area), so the result is infallible.
Gynecological monitoring is essential
Above all, in the first two cycles, and while you know your body, you can count on professional assistance.
now there are also fertility awareness courses and that promote sex education.
Many family planning software they help you read your data and explain what those observations mean. But, if you don't want to leave anything to chance (or doubt), professionals like the gynecologists they will be your allies at the beginning of the method.
What do I need to know to use the symptothermal method?
Now that you know how to keep your records and what you will need first hand, the doubt may fall on the fertility signs that you have to collect.
Remember that we are going to focus on biomarkers: Cervical mucus and basal temperature.
Pay attention to your vaginal discharge
El cervical mucus It is a secretion from the cervix and helps sperm survive in the acidic climate of the vagina, or prevents their entry, depending on the phase.
When it comes off a little, we can recognize it as "vaginal discharge" and although it has several types, we will be aware of the most watery and elastic It occurs between days 10 and 14 of the cycle.
When the cervical mucus it is dry, sticky or separates, it does not have any degree of fertility!, but when it becomes more elastic and malleable, indicates a time of ovulation.
This signal only warrants daily observation and may vary the flow twice in one day, but generally tends to stay the same from one day to the next. 24 and 48 hours. Even so, any variation you observe do not hesitate to write it down.
Link vaginal discharge microscope
Measure basal temperature
It consists of identifying the body temperature through two decimal places and is able to offer a specific thermal result. There are 3 ways to do it:
- Placing the thermometer under the tongue
- Putting the thermal tip inside the vagina
- Doing the same procedure, but in the anus.
Mainly, measure it in hours of the morning and at the end of the day. Likewise, you can take another shot in the middle of the day if you notice any changes and want to have more data about the process.
To detect temperature:
- LINK temperature sensing patches
- Thermometers with two decimal places LINK
- LINK infrared thermometer
What information do I obtain with the symptothermal method about my hormones?
There are precisely 2 hormones that control the reproductive cycle: estrogen and progesterone. The first is very fertile and the second is one in which there is no fertilization and gives way to menstruation.
In this way, do the daily evaluation, will allow you to know if the hormonal cycle is proceeding normally (in case you have endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or other similar).
Also and if you use it as a contraceptive method, you will know when there is an increase in estrogen and sexual intercourse is not recommended.
you will be able to recognize progesterone because it sends as a signal a sticky, dry or creamy cervical mucus like hand lotion.
Although they all correspond to different phases, the common point that they are not fertile. El estrogen it is quite the opposite and is manifested by the elastic mucus of ovulation.
Frequently asked questions about the symptothermal method
Since it does not involve a drug involved, the symptothermal method usually generates unknowns about its operation or profitability.
Therefore, we want to respond to the main curiosities of the symptothermal method:
Is it really effective? No margin for error?
It has been shown to have more than 99% accuracy (even more than other contraceptives that cover 97 or 98%).
How are these data used as a contraceptive method?
The intention is to know the fertile window to completely suspend penetration on those days. If condoms are used for sexual contact on the days of ovulation, then the protection of the condom would be relied on.
Can you really have unprotected sex after the most fertile phase has passed?
A sperm cannot survive more than 5 or 6 days in the vagina considering the acidic climate. So it is not possible for some established on day 20 of a cycle to survive until the next day 14 that you ovulate.
What if cycle tracking apps call all my days as “possible fertile days”?
They do not give you certainties because they are not taking your data, they only predict the phases according to your cycle (if it is 26, 28, 30 days). As they know that a cycle can vary due to diet, illness, stress and other reasons, they do not guarantee and ask you to take care of yourself in the same way. Now, with the information you gather through the symptothermal method you are sure which days are fertile and which are not.
Does it work for cycles of all lengths?
Whether your period comes every 24 or 32 days, you can use the symptothermal method. It even helps you to know what your healthy time is and if you are going through a hormonal imbalance.
As you can see, this medical feat is an all-around sexual care tool. They are arguments for you to make decisions about your body and your reproductive system… Make the most of it!
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