Evidence-Based Method
Mind-Body & Cycle Practice

Fertility Awareness

Tracking body signs like temperature and cervical mucus to identify fertile days and avoid unprotected sex then.

Last verified: · Updated:

Fertility Awareness (Mind-Body & Cycle Practice)Compare

Method at a Glance

EffectivenessLeast effective
DurationOngoing daily tracking
Cost$0–$100
/monthly
ReversibilityReversible
STI ProtectionNo
How you get itSelf-Directed · No prescription
Available Products

5 products in this category

Specific branded items that use this method. Compare manufacturer details, active ingredients, and regulatory status.

FDA Cleared
CB
Mobile App

Clue Birth Control

An FDA-cleared fertility awareness app that predicts fertile days from period dates.

Fertility Awareness
FDA De Novo
NC
Mobile App

Natural Cycles

An FDA-authorized birth control app for fertility awareness-based contraception.

Fertility Awareness
FDA Registered
DF
Basal Thermometer

Daysy Fertility Tracker

A fertility tracker and basal thermometer with a built-in light indicator.

Fertility Awareness
FDA Registered
TE
Wearable Sensor

Tempdrop

A wearable sensor that tracks basal body temperature overnight for fertility awareness.

Fertility Awareness
Evidence-Based
CY
Bead String

CycleBeads

A physical string of color-coded beads representing the Standard Days Method of family planning.

Fertility Awareness
Providers

421 providers in this category

Clinics and telehealth services in our directory that offer this method.

Planned Parenthood - Albany Health Center

Albany, NY 12206

Family Planning Clinic

Hybrid Medicaid
Website (518) 434-5678

Planned Parenthood - Alhambra Health Center

Alhambra, CA 91801

Family Planning Clinic

Hybrid Medicaid
Website (626) 798-0706

Planned Parenthood - Allentown Health Center

Allentown, PA 18101

Family Planning Clinic

In-Person Medicaid
Website (610) 439-1033

Planned Parenthood - Anchorage Health Center

Anchorage, AK 99508

Family Planning Clinic

Hybrid Medicaid
Website (800) 769-0045
See all fertility awareness providers
The details

What the evidence says

How well it works, what to watch for, who should avoid it, and the studies behind it.

How well it works

Least effective

Least effective: under 90 out of 100 people successfully prevent pregnancy per year.

Effectiveness varies widely by the specific method and how consistently it is followed. Across fertility awareness-based methods, typical-use failure ranges from about 2% to 34% (66-98% effective) and perfect-use failure from less than 1% to 12% per Guttmacher/Contraceptive Technology. The Sensiplan double-check symptothermal protocol is at the low end (0.4% perfect-use failure, 2% typical-use failure), while calendar and single-check mucus methods are at the high end. Because the rules, instruction, and user adherence matter more than any app or thermometer, no single percentage fits all users.

Research sourceGuttmacher Institute contraceptive effectiveness table (Trussell / Contraceptive Technology 21st ed.)

Cost & insurance

$0–$100/monthly

Free apps are available; FDA-cleared apps and wearable thermometers run about $30-$100 plus any subscription. These are rough estimates; check current prices.

Insurance CoverageVaries

Duration & reversibility

Lasts forOngoing daily tracking
Reversibility
Reversible
STI ProtectionNo

The science

Clinical classFertility awareness-based methods (FABM)
How it works in the body

Track basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cycle length to identify the fertile window. Avoid unprotected sex or use backup contraception on fertile days.

Regulatory status & access

StatusEvidence-Based Method
Used forBirth control
How you get itSelf-Directed · No prescription
PrescriptionOTC

Side effects

No side effects are currently listed.

Who shouldn't use this

  • •Irregular cycles that make fertile window prediction unreliable(Hormonal or life stages that make cycle-based prediction unreliable)
  • •Inability to track consistently(The method requires reliable technique; inability to use it correctly reduces effectiveness)
  • •Recent childbirth, breastfeeding, or perimenopause (cycles unstable)(Hormonal or life stages that make cycle-based prediction unreliable)

Clinical guidelines

CDC

U.S. MEC - Accept for most users; Caution or Delay for some life stages (perimenopause, recent childbirth, breastfeeding); effectiveness depends on user adherence

View Guideline
The full picture

What to know about Fertility Awareness

What it is

Fertility awareness methods (FAM) track body signs to identify the fertile window so you can avoid unprotected sex on those days. Signs include basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cycle length. The symptothermal method combines several signs and was about 99.6% effective with perfect use in published Sensiplan studies (Guttmacher effectiveness table), though typical use is much lower because it requires consistent daily tracking.

How to use it

You record your basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cycle length each day. You can use a paper chart, a free app, or a wearable thermometer. FDA-cleared apps use algorithms to interpret your data; published typical-use effectiveness for FDA-cleared apps falls in the 90% range (for example, Natural Cycles at about 93% and Clue Birth Control at about 92%), with higher rates under perfect use. Simpler calendar methods are less reliable. Wearable basal thermometers make temperature tracking easier.

Where to get it

Many apps and devices do not require a prescription, though some FDA-cleared apps require a brief medical questionnaire. FAM is less reliable for people with irregular cycles, recent childbirth, breastfeeding, or perimenopause. It does not protect against STIs. Check our provider directory for clinics near you that can help you get started.

Daily tracking

FAM depends on consistent daily tracking. Take your basal body temperature at the same time each morning before getting up. Irregular sleep, shift work, or illness can throw off the reading and make the fertile-window prediction less reliable. A wearable thermometer or a synced app makes record-keeping easier and reduces manual errors.