Contraception
Contraception can be defined as the use of medicine, devices or surgery to prevent pregnancy. When it comes to contraception, there are several options:
- Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) - suppresses ovulation and thins the endometrial lining, preventing implantation, while also altering sperm motility by thickening cervical mucus.
- Mirena IUD - thins the endometrial lining which prevents implantation. It also thickens cervical mucus, making it inhospitable to sperm.
- Copper IUD - the presence of copper inhibits sperm mobility and makes the endometrium inhospitable to sperm.
- Implanon - thins the endometrial lining which prevents implantation. It also thickens cervical mucus, making it inhospitable to sperm.
- Diaphragm - a non-hormonal barrier method of contraception that is fitted into the vagina and covers the cervix, preventing sperm from meeting and fertilising an egg.
- Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) - a non-hormonal method of tracking your cycle, cervical mucus and basal body temperature to identify your fertile window.
Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)
FAM involves tracking your cervical mucus, basal body temperature and optionally your cervical position to identify the fertile window in your cycle, to either prevent or plan a pregnancy.
Fertility Awareness Methods allow women to accurately identify their fertile window by tracking primary fertility biomarkers such as cervical mucus, basal body temperature and urinary hormone levels.
FAM comes with no side effects and allows for a deeper connection with a woman’s cycle, which can provide valuable information about overall health and fertility.
Cervical Mucus
Cervical mucus is produced by the glands of the cervix, and both the amount and consistency change throughout the menstrual cycle due to fluctuating hormone levels.
Pre-ovulatory: A small rise in oestrogen drives production of pre-ovulatory mucus. The fibres act like a filter, catching abnormal sperm. You are likely to see this 3–4 days before ovulation. There is therefore a moderate risk with unprotected intercourse.
Ovulatory fluid: The highest production of cervical mucus occurs at ovulation. The consistency resembles egg white — stretchy and slippery with aligned fibres that facilitate sperm movement. This is the peak of the fertile window, and this type of mucus is usually seen in the 24 hours prior to ovulation.
Post-ovulatory: There is decreased production and a thicker consistency after ovulation. This mucus feels thicker and sticky, and the fibres have no pattern, meaning they act as a barrier to sperm. It is usually seen around 24 hours after ovulation and can last for several days.
When tracking your menstrual cycle, changes in cervical mucus are a useful indicator of your fertile window, helping with either timing conception or avoiding pregnancy.