ABSTRACT

Fertility Awareness is key to understanding sexual and reproductive health at all life stages. It can be used to either plan or avoid pregnancy. Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) are highly effective when motivated couples are taught by trained practitioners. These methods are in demand for ecological, medical, cultural, religious and moral reasons. The ability to control fertility naturally is a lifestyle choice.

The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness provides the science and methodology suitable for health professionals and a general audience. It covers reproductive physiology and the fertility indicators: temperature, cervical secretions and cycle length calculations. It explores ways to optimise conception and to manage conception delays. Case studies and self-assessment exercises are included throughout. The book addresses the scientific credibility of new technologies including fertility apps, home test kits, monitors and devices.

The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness offers:

  • evidence-based information for general practitioners, practice nurses, school nurses, midwives, sexual health doctors and nurses
  • a unique perspective on subfertility for gynaecologists and fertility nurses
  • an authoritative source of reference for medical, nursing and midwifery students
  • a straightforward and practical reference for new and experienced FAM users
  • the core text for the FertilityUK Advanced Skills Course in Fertility Awareness

part |2 pages

PART I Scientifi c background and methodology

chapter 1|28 pages

Overview of fertility awareness

chapter 2|14 pages

Male fertility

chapter 3|47 pages

Female fertility

chapter 4|25 pages

Temperature: first indicator

chapter 5|25 pages

Cervical secretions: second indicator

chapter 6|9 pages

Cervix: third indicator

chapter 7|10 pages

Calendar calculations: fourth indicator

chapter 8|5 pages

Minor indicators of fertility

chapter 9|13 pages

Home test kits and monitors

chapter 10|8 pages

Combining indicators

chapter 11|9 pages

Simplified methods

chapter 12|29 pages

Factors affecting the menstrual cycle

part |2 pages

PART II Avoiding pregnancy

chapter 13|16 pages

FAMs for women of normal fertility

chapter 14|12 pages

Contraception and returning fertility

chapter 15|10 pages

FAMs after hormonal contraception

chapter 16|21 pages

Breastfeeding, LAM and returning fertility

chapter 17|13 pages

FAMs during the peri-menopause

part |2 pages

PART III Achieving pregnancy

chapter 18|40 pages

Planning pregnancy

chapter 19|16 pages

Conception delays and assisted fertility

part |2 pages

PART IV Teaching fertility awareness

chapter 20|8 pages

Teaching fertility awareness