What is Fertility Awareness?

An investment in the self. A supportive daily practice. A touchstone, a ritual to ground you in your body and its wisdom through the rhythm of your daily and monthly fertility...

And so much more!

But, technically, Fertility Awareness is a lifestyle—one of cultivated body literacy and awareness of our menstrual cycle, fertility, and the rich inner world and energy connected to that cycle.

Okay, but what’s ‘body literacy’?

Why, I’m so glad you asked! Body literacy is empowerment through understanding.

To get this understanding you combine the experience of living in and connecting with your body, and the intellectual understanding of how your body functions.

Your body speaks. When you learn its language and can understand what it’s telling you, you’ve cultivated body literacy!

And, when you learn the language your body speaks to convey fertility, you’re learning… FAM!

Got it. So, what is ‘FAM’?

‘FAM’ stands for Fertility Awareness Method, which is the daily practice of observing and tracking your fertility bio-markers and using this information for a desired outcome. That could be to avoid pregnancy without the use of artificial hormones, to get pregnant more easily when you’re ready—or to understand your hormonal and/or overall health.

Is what you teach religious based/NFP?

No. The Well method is secular in nature and can be practiced by anyone! That being said, if you have particular religious, spiritual, or cultural considerations we can easily adapt it to meet and honor your unique needs.

Wait, what was that bit about ‘bio-markers’?

A bio-marker is shorthand for ‘biological marker’ (of fertility). They’re the main things we observe to determine fertility in this method, and there are two: BBT (basal body temperature) and cervical fluid.

They’re both amazing, and I teach you exactly how to observe and chart them both—and what they mean! Spoiler alert: you’re going to get quite good at knowing when you ovulate.

Who is FAM for? Can I practice it if I have PCOS? Endometriosis? Irregular cycles? Other health concerns?

FAM and cycle charting is for everybody. If you have ovaries and aren’t taking a hormonal form of birth control, you can chart and interpret your cycle. (And if you’re on hormones and want to come off, I can help!)

And the best news: it can be especially helpful to those with irregular cycles, PCOS, endometriosis, and other health concerns.

Is this the Rhythm Method?

Absolutely not. The Rhythm Method (also known as the Calendar Method) is a sort of proto-FAM based on scientifically false assumptions about the menstrual cycle, specifically that it “should be 28 days in length” and that “ovulation occurs on or around day 14”.

Neither of these things are true!

Some women may have an average cycle length of 28 days, but anywhere from 24-32 days is considered in the range of ideal—with many people experiencing either longer or shorter cycles.

Also, ovulation can and does happen earlier/later than day 14. Often!

As I’m sure we can all agree, confidence comes from having and employing scientifically proven methods to know when we’ve ovulated—not guessing blindly at it.

What is the efficacy of The Well method for birth control?

The method I teach is almost identical to the robustly studied and highly effective German Sensiplan, which boasts a 99.6% perfect-use efficacy rate.

Can you guarantee I’ll get pregnant using the method for intentional conception?

The short answer is: no. Unfortunately, not even the most advanced forms of ARTs can guarantee a pregnancy.

However, with the method we’ll be able to discern if your body has everything it needs to conceive and carry a pregnancy, AND gives you the key to success: timing intercourse with ovulation.

Are your offerings covered by insurance?

Unfortunately, insurance companies do not cover Fertility Awareness services at this time.

Do you accept payment plans?

Full payment is due prior to service, however, payment for the Body Literacy: Contraception or Conception may be split into two installments upon request: one due prior to our first instructional class and the second due after our final instructional class. If you have further questions, please reach out!