Chart Your Cycle — Frequently Asked Questions
Will this course be enough for me to use FAM as birth control?
Yes! We go through the foundation of knowledge you need to get started charting safe and effectively using the sympto-thermal method. I do recommend charting for three cycles before relying solely on FAM.
Do I need to quit my HBC before taking the course?
No! If you’re considering FAM to replace your current birth control method don’t feel like you have to jump off the cliff and quit right away. This is a great time to learn the method to make sure you understand it all, and to know how to get started charting when you do decide to quit your current hormonal birth control. And often learning how it all works will give you that final boost of confidence you need to quit.
How do I convince my partner that FAM is effective?
We have all be led to believe (even men) that we can only control our fertility and not get pregnant if we’re using some pill, product or device. You’ve first got to educate yourself on how FAM works so you can explain it to them. And can I let you in on a little secret? Men are much more open and willing to using FAM as birth control than we give them credit for. They know women take on the burden of birth control, and want them to be their happiest and healthiest.
How effective is the Sympto-Thermal Method?
Fun fact: when used correctly (staying consistent with your charting, and following the rules) STM has the same effectiveness as the birth control pill (Yup, it’s 99.6% effective).
How long do I need to chart before I can use STM as birth control?
I always recommend charting for three cycles before just relying on STM. Up until that point you’ll want to use a barrier method such as a condom.
Do I have to have a 28-day cycle to chart?
No! The sympto-thermal method is not based on the length of your cycle. It is a daily calculation from your fertility signs (basal body temperature and cervical fluid) that you use to follow four simple rules.
Do I have to have a background in science/anatomy/etc to understand this?
Nope! FAM is for everyday people like you and me. All you need is the desire to learn and use it correctly, and you can.
How is this course delivered?
At the moment, Chart Your Cycle is delivered via email straight to your inbox each Wednesday for the duration of the 4-week course. (I’m working on switching platforms and putting it on Teachable).
When will I get access to the first lesson?
You will get a confirmation email letting you know that you have paid for the course, as well as the Welcome email. You will get the first lesson on the day the course starts (so if it says it starts on May 15th, you’ll get your first lesson that day).
Is this a video course?
It is currently a text course. I chose to do it like this at first because I have so many amazing people for whom English is not their first language, and I wanted to make it easier for them to translate any confusing bits. You’re going to want to go back and find a particular piece of information or rule, and that’s much easier to do when it’s written, versus trying to find that point in the video.
(I am working on updating this course, and putting it on Teachable. That version of the course will have a corresponding video for each lesson as well as a downloadable PDF of the lesson.)
Do I have to be available at certain times for the course?
Nope! I know I have so many amazing customers from all over the world, which would make choosing a time that works for everyone impossible. I’ll deliver the course to your email inbox and you can choose the best time to work through the lessons.
Are you a FAM certified teacher?
Nope! Back in 2014 when I was coming around to the idea of teaching FAM I reached out to a mentor of mine (who’s also a FAM teacher) and asked if I had to take a certification course. Her response was, “How do you think they learned FAM? That’s right, they’re self-taught.” So I’ve made it my mission over the past several years to continuously educate myself on all things FAM, period and cycle related. I would never put information out that I wasn’t 100% confident in, and I will only share things I fully understand and know.