WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Health's Top Stories
Get a weekly look at the most popular stories on Health.com.
Fertility awareness
content provided by
Healthwise
Fertility awareness is a type of natural family planning based on a woman's physical signs of ovulation, such as changes in cervical mucus consistency and basal (resting) body temperature. Keeping track of these symptoms may be helpful if a couple is trying to become pregnant or trying to avoid pregnancy.
- If a woman is trying to become pregnant, having sex during the 5 days before she ovulates and the day she ovulates increases her chances of success.
- If a woman is trying to avoid pregnancy, avoiding sex until several days after she has ovulated helps prevent pregnancy (the human egg is typically fertile for only 12 to 24 hours after ovulation).
Because intercourse before ovulation can lead to pregnancy, and ovulation does not always occur at the same time every month, fertility awareness is not the most reliable method of avoiding pregnancy.
Credits
| Author | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | April 7, 2006 |
Last Updated:
April 7, 2006- Author:
- Bets Davis, MFA
- Medical Review:
- Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
