Will you or have you used FAM to avoid conception?

lovekissedmama · January 2012

Just curious. I read a BFP post in which OP described her cervical fluid to have been nonexistent and this made me wonder how effective FAM really is when TTA (because many of the "rules" when charting to avoid in TCOYF are based on the presence and quality of fluid).

[Deleted User] · January 2012

I don?t understand it at all. It clearly states it is a way to CONFIRM ovulation. Meaning after the fact, so how it is used as a preventative is way beyond my comprehension. If and when I ever need BC again il will not be FAM. I commend the woman who can, I just don?t get it.

NicoleD54 · January 2012

Yes I have, but I'm not sure if I would again. Mostly because I have PCOS, so I end up having to abstain for multiple periods during my cycle. There are FAM that don't even use temperature charting. One of them is what my church teaches. I'm sure it would be challenging to keep up with if you had a lack of CM.

NicoleD54 · January 2012

Jessii266:
I don?t understand it at all. It clearly states it is a way to CONFIRM ovulation. Meaning after the fact, so how it is used as a preventative is way beyond my comprehension. If and when I ever need BC again il will not be FAM. I commend the woman who can, I just don?t get it.

You have to avoid on wet or EWCM days and then so many days after peak day. The temperature charting just confirms ovulation after the fact.

Wally3 · January 2012

I was considering it before I had ds. My cycles were consistent and I was pretty confident when my FW was each month and I didn't want to get back on hormonal bc. However, once I had ds I wasn't as diligent with my charting and finding time to have sex - I didn't want to block out a week.

SchruteBucks · January 2012

I've used FAM/NFP for the past 8+ years to TTA. When not TTC we either abstain or use condoms during my fertile time. After a couple of years of charting I was able to stop temping every day and go by cm and other secondary fertility signs with temping only about 5 or 6 days (to confirm O), but that is definitely not what you should do when you start out. TCOYF is an absolute must if you're going to use it as birth control. When used correctly, it is just as effective as many other forms of birth control. The Billings Method uses just CM as a means to TTA, but I prefer NFP/FAM.

Mrs.B6302007 · January 2012

Yes, for a couple of years before TTC and for the last year and a half since Baby Bee was born. For me, it's been a very easy and reliable method of birth control.

btmickens · January 2012

I apologize, but what does FAM mean? I tried looking in the bump glossary and it's not there.

MrsBlindLove · January 2012

SchruteBucks:
I've used FAM/NFP for the past 8+ years to TTA. When not TTC we either abstain or use condoms during my fertile time. After a couple of years of charting I was able to stop temping every day and go by cm and other secondary fertility signs with temping only about 5 or 6 days (to confirm O), but that is definitely not what you should do when you start out. TCOYF is an absolute must if you're going to use it as birth control. When used correctly, it is just as effective as many other forms of birth control. The Billings Method uses just CM as a means to TTA, but I prefer NFP/FAM.

You rock Schrute! Yes

btmickens · January 2012

Thank you.

GrangerWifey · January 2012

MH & I used FAM/NFP to avoid when I went off BC before we were actively TTC. I agree with PP about using a backup method until you are comfortable with charting a few cycles. Basically it works by NOT having sex anytime during your predicted fertile window and if you do, you must use backup or take the risk that you'll get KU. It worked really well for us (granted we only used it for a few months before TTC) but it can be difficult because my sex drive is highest during my fertile time so it can be really hard to avoid.