Shekan

In recent years, natural-family-planning methods have gained popularity, as more women are looking for alternatives to hormonal contraception.

Among the many options available, the sympto-thermal method and the calendar method are two of the most popular methods for predicting menstrual cycles and avoiding pregnancy.

Before we can deliver any predictions for your menstrual cycles, Shekan needs to know the start and end of at least one cycle.

Simply log the start of two concurring dates where your period started and the calendar method will activate automatically.

The calendar method, also known as the rhythm method, involves tracking the length of a woman's menstrual cycle over several months and then taking the average cycle length to determine when the next period is likely to happen.

However, the calendar method has several limitations, as it assumes that a woman's cycle is regular and does not account for variations in menstrual cycle length or hormonal fluctuations. It also does not deliver qualitative results for your fertility, which is why Shekan only uses the calendar method as a fallback method for period predictions when no better data is available.

In contrast, the sympto-thermal method combines several indicators of fertility, including basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and changes in cervical position.

By monitoring these signs, women can identify their fertile window with greater accuracy and avoid unprotected intercourse during this time. The sympto-thermal method has been shown to be highly effective when used correctly, with a failure rate of less than 1% in typical use.

While both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, experts agree that the sympto-thermal method is the more reliable and accurate of the two.

Note that the date of a cycle's ovulation can only be safely determined after it happened.

Despite its effectiveness, the sympto-thermal method is not widely promoted by healthcare providers or included in sex education programmes.

Some critics argue that this is due to a lack of understanding and training among healthcare providers. Others suggest that there is a bias towards hormonal contraception and a reluctance to promote natural family planning methods.

While the calendar method may be a good starting point for some women, the sympto-thermal method offers a more accurate and reliable way to predict menstrual cycles and detect fertile phases.