Overview of fertility awareness methods of contraception

Fertility awareness methods of contraception involve abstaining from unprotected sexual intercourse during the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle. Identification of the fertile phase requires a thorough understanding of the female reproductive cycle, and a commitment to maintaining diligent daily monitoring of fertility indicators, such as body temperature and cervical mucus changes (symptom-based methods) and menstrual cycle data (calendar-based methods).

Fertility awareness methods are usually unsuitable for use with irregular or anovulatory menstrual cycles, including those who are breastfeeding or perimenopausal.