Is it possible to use a form of birth control that’s as effective as the pill, doesn’t always require condoms, and doesn’t mess with your hormones? The short answer is yes and I’m dying to tell you all about it. It breaks my heart to see so many women dumped onto the pill without being informed of all their options. Let’s explore how the Sympto-Thermal Method works, its benefits, and why it may or may not be a great choice for natural contraception
What is the Sympto-Thermal Method?
The Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) is a form of Fertility Awareness-Based Method (FABM) that allows women to track their natural fertility signs and determine when they are most and least fertile. Unlike hormonal contraceptives, which alter your body's natural rhythms, the Sympto-Thermal Method works in harmony with your cycle, enabling you to either avoid or achieve pregnancy based on your goals. This method relies on three primary fertility indicators: basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucous, and cervical position.
How Does It Work?
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Your BBT is your body’s lowest resting temperature, typically taken first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. I leave my ovulation thermometer next to my alarm clock. After ovulation, progesterone levels rise, causing your BBT to increase by about 0.2-0.5°C (0.4-1.0°F). By tracking your daily temperature with a thermometer, you can identify the point of ovulation and determine your fertile window. When you notice a sustained rise in temperature, it indicates ovulation has already occurred, and the days following this rise are considered infertile. It’s really important to work with a trained Fertility Awareness Instructor like our gal Emily Claire from Phase Fertility. Emily is an Accredited Fertility Awareness Instructor, registered midwife and hugely knowledgeable on the menstrual cycle. And there are certain things that only an instructor knows that are crucial for this method. Things like disturbed temperatures from alcohol consumption and how to navigate that.
- Cervical mucous: Throughout your cycle, your cervical mucous changes in consistency and texture. As ovulation approaches, cervical mucous becomes clearer, stretchy, and slippery—similar to raw egg whites—which helps sperm travel more easily. After ovulation, the mucous thickens and becomes sticky or dry. Observing these changes helps you recognize when you are in your fertile window.
- Cervical Position: The position and feel of the cervix also change throughout the menstrual cycle. During ovulation, the cervix becomes higher, softer, and more open to allow sperm entry. Post-ovulation, it becomes lower, firmer, and more closed. Although this indicator is less commonly tracked than BBT and mucous, it can offer additional confirmation of where you are in your cycle.
By combining these three observations, women using the Sympto-Thermal Method can accurately pinpoint when they are fertile and infertile. When used correctly, this method can be up to 99.6% effective at preventing pregnancy, comparable to the effectiveness of the pill.
Why Consider the Sympto-Thermal Method?
- Hormone-Free: One of the most appealing aspects of STM that we are a huge fan of is that it is completely hormone-free. For many women, hormonal contraceptives can cause unwanted side effects such as mood swings, weight gain, decreased libido, and even depression. The Sympto-Thermal Method allows women to avoid these side effects by relying on natural body signals.
- Body Literacy: Using the Sympto-Thermal Method encourages you to become more in tune with your body. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your menstrual cycle, your fertile window, and how your body changes throughout the month. This increased body literacy can be empowering and help you make more informed decisions about your reproductive health.
- Cost-Effective: Once you invest in a basal thermometer (usually very cheap) and get taught the method by an accredited Fertility Awareness Instructor like Emily. The Sympto-Thermal Method has minimal ongoing costs. You won’t have to pay for hormonal birth control prescriptions, and you avoid the cost of other methods like IUD insertions.
- No Side Effects: Unlike hormonal contraceptives that come with a long list of potential side effects, the Sympto-Thermal Method doesn’t interfere with your body’s natural rhythms. It also doesn’t require you to insert anything into your body, making it a non-invasive and natural approach to contraception.
The Challenges of the Sympto-Thermal Method
While the Sympto-Thermal Method is an excellent choice for many women, it does come with some challenges:
- Requires Consistency and Dedication: For STM to be effective, you need to consistently track your fertility signs daily. If you have irregular sleeping patterns or trouble taking your temperature at the same time each day, your BBT readings could be inaccurate. The same goes for tracking your cervical mucous—if you miss checking it regularly, you may miscalculate your fertile window.
- Learning Curve: There is a learning curve with the Sympto-Thermal Method. It takes time to become familiar with your body’s signals and to accurately interpret them. Many women benefit from working with a trained instructor like Emily to ensure they are using the method correctly.
- Less Effective with Irregular Cycles: While the Sympto-Thermal Method can work for women with irregular cycles, it may be more challenging. If your cycle length varies significantly from month to month, identifying your fertile window may become more difficult. However, if you're taking your Seed Cycle Blend consistently this will help regulate your hormones which can still make STM a reliable option.
- No Protection Against STIs: Like many non-barrier methods of contraception, the Sympto-Thermal Method does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However when you learn the method with a trained instructor you will know how condoms can play a role as a barrier method during the fertile window.
Common Myths About the Sympto-Thermal Method
- "It’s Too Complicated": While it may seem overwhelming at first, once you get the hang of tracking your fertility signs, the process becomes second nature. Many women find that a few minutes each day is all it takes to track their cycle effectively.
- "It’s Only for Those Trying to Get Pregnant": While fertility awareness methods are often used by women trying to conceive, they are just as effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. The key is knowing when you are fertile and avoiding intercourse, using barrier methods during that time or getting creative with your sex life.
- "It’s Unreliable": When used correctly and consistently, the Sympto-Thermal Method is highly reliable. Studies have shown its effectiveness to be comparable to hormonal birth control when followed accurately.
Who Is the Sympto-Thermal Method For?
The Sympto-Thermal Method is a great option for women looking for a hormone-free, natural birth control method that also enhances body awareness. It’s ideal for those who want more control over their reproductive health, are open to tracking daily fertility signs, and are dedicated to learning how to interpret these signs effectively.
It’s also an excellent option for couples who value open communication about fertility and are willing to cooperate with each other, especially during fertile windows when abstinence, barrier methods or some sexual creativity may be necessary.
However, the Sympto-Thermal Method may not be the best fit for women who prefer a "set it and forget it" approach to contraception or who are unable to consistently track their fertility indicators. For those with highly irregular cycles or health conditions affecting their fertility signs, working with a fertility awareness educator can help optimize the method's effectiveness.
Why does Seed Cycle Blend Recommend STM?
As a seed cycling company, we recommend the Sympto-Thermal Method because not only does it align with our philosophy of supporting the body’s natural rhythms. But it helps you to seed cycle effectively by confirming ovulation accurately. NOT with a predictable cycle tracking app. Seed cycling works to balance hormones by providing the body with essential nutrients at different phases of the menstrual cycle. The Sympto-Thermal Method complements this approach by encouraging women to tune into their cycle, helping them understand how their body naturally functions. By pairing seed cycling with the Sympto-Thermal Method, women can take a holistic, empowered approach to managing their reproductive health without disrupting their hormonal balance. Yay!
The wrap
I’ve personally used the Sympto-Thermal Method for 10 years without a pregnancy scare and with a satisfying sex life. It’s become a normal part of my body literacy and cycle health. AndI think women deserve to know how liberating it can be to use The Sympto-Thermal Method as a natural, hormone-free alternative to traditional contraceptive methods. By learning to track your body’s natural fertility signals, you can either avoid or achieve pregnancy based on your unique goals. Although it requires commitment and consistency, for many women, the benefits of increased body literacy, hormone-free contraception, and the deepened understanding of one’s cycle make that little bit of effort so worth it!
Let’s chat! Email me info@seedcycleblend.com if you have any questions.
Have a great week! Rochelle x
