How Do I Use It?
Do you notice vaginal sensations in your underwear during your non-menstruating time? This is cervical fluid (CF), which will help indicate when your fertile window begins.
The Billings Ovulation Method, or cervical fluid method of fertility awareness is based on daily observations of cervical fluid to determine if you are in your fertile window. The founders of this method, John and Evelyn Billings, aspired to keep the method “user-friendly,” without the observations of basal body temperature (found with the sympto-thermal method of fertility awareness) and focused solely on the vulva, it’s sensations and visible fluids.
To practice this method, all you need is your natural daily attention and a chart to record your observations.
It is highly recommended to:
- Find an instructor to put this method’s 4 rules to practice
- Take a moment at the end of each day to record your most fertile CF of the day on your chart
- Record your CF every day for 3 months straight to gain an understanding of your basic infertile pattern (BIP)
Billings Ovulation Method ~ Example Chart
How Much Does It Cost?
Nothing.
What Are The Side Effects?
You will not have any side effects from using the Billings Ovulation Method / cervical mucus method of fertility awareness.
How Effective Is it?
97% effective with perfect use, 3% failure rate
89.5% effective with typical use, 10.5% failure rate
By perfectly following this method’s 4 rules, you have a high chance of preventing and achieving pregnancy. This method has undergone a wide range of scientific research, however one should only use this method for natural birth control if their cycles are ‘regular’ for a higher effectiveness.
Positives
- Could support with getting pregnant
- Could support with preventing pregnancy
- Requires minimal daily attention
- Hormone free
- Promotes healthy body awareness, gaining self-confidence and self-responsibility
Disadvantages
- Takes an initial time period to learn the method, as well as put it to practice (3 months)
- Requires discipline and motivation to to chart regularly
- Requires correct and constant use for an effective outcome
- Does not prevent against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)