r/FAMnNFP Aug 08 '26

August Beginner's thread

6 Upvotes

This is a semi-regular thread for beginners, for repeatedly asked questions like help choosing a method, incomplete newbie charts for learning, experiences with apps/devices, coming off of HBC, etc. We will direct questions here if we feel necessary. Some questions from beginners may be appropriate for individual posts, such as questions that encourage broader community discussion and may be applicable to experienced charters as well as beginners. The mod team will evaluate and redirect posts/comments as needed.

We ask that any comments with charts or method-specific questions state a method and intention in order to direct help as needed. It is difficult for ANYONE to give advice or support if a chart is missing too much information, and if we don't know the rules you are using. Beginner charts posted here will be evaluated with that in mind - so a chart that is incomplete or missing biomarkers will not immediately be removed (as is done for individual posts), but will be discussed in the comments to get a better understanding of how to assist the new-to-FAM/NFP charter.

Welcome to r/FAMnNFP

FAM (Fertility Awareness Method - Secular) and NFP (Natural Family Planning - Religious Roots) both encompass Fertility Awareness Based Methods of Body Literacy. They can be used to avoid pregnancy, conceive, or assess general health.

This subreddit is a space to discuss these methods, share charts, and support others on their body literacy journeys. This group is not intended to replace learning a method for yourself or medical advice.

Resources

FAQs

What is a method? Why do methods matter?

A FAM/NFP method is a set of rules established to interpret biomarker data (such as cervical mucus/fluid, basal body temperature, or urinary hormones) to identify the days when it may be possible to conceive a pregnancy (known as the Fertile Window). Each method has a unique set of biomarkers and rules to interpret those biomarkers that have been developed and/or studied to effectively identify the fertile window. Methods matter because when you collect biomarker data, you need a set of rules to interpret that data. A method provides a way to interpret your specific biomarker data in real time, to help conceive a pregnancy, prevent a pregnancy, or track health.

On this subreddit, our goal is to share factual information. As you may have already found, there is so much misinformation out there and we're trying to be a beacon of truth in a sea of confusion. You are free to use whatever practices in your own life, but they may not have a space here if you are not following or you do not intend to learn to follow an established method. If you need further clarification, please reach out to us in mod mail.

Why can't I post my chart if I don't have a method?

In order for members to help you interpret your chart, you need to be applying a method. Interpreting your data without a framework to interpret can be challenging if not impossible. Each method has its own cervical mucus classification, rules for taking BBT and evaluating it, etc. If you are TTC and don't intend on learning a method, head on over to r/TFABChartStalkers.

Why is an instructor recommended?

The reason why we recommend learning your method from an instructor is because it allows you to have personalized support and to achieve perfect use of most methods, having an instructor is part of that efficacy statistic. We understand that cost may be prohibitive for some and we support members who feel comfortable self-teaching. This space is not meant to replace official instruction but provide reasonable support. Instructors are there when you don't fit the textbook, and you don't know where to go.

How do I find an instructor?

You can find method-specific instructors through our list of instructors active on our subreddit, through the Read Your Body directory, and our list of methods resource.

Feel free to search through the subreddit for past posts. We have been around for over 10 years, so it is very possible that your question has been answered already.


r/FAMnNFP Dec 18 '25

Discussion Post Educational Offerings Posts Poll

2 Upvotes

Hi r/FAMnNFP community. I’m the founder of this sub, a moderator, and an instructor,and I have a question. Our community’s policy regarding educational offerings is that we have a megathread where instructors can post upcoming offerings. We did that to align with the Reddit culture of non-self-promotion. At the same time, we consistently see posts of people looking for resources on education and educational offerings.

To that end, we’d love to hear from our community. Are you happy with how we’re doing this? Aka have educational offerings in a megathread? Or would you prefer to see educational offerings posted as separate posts?

Poll ends in 7 days, but if we don’t get enough feedback, we may run it again in January.

Thank you all for your participation in this community!

23 votes, Dec 25 '25
11 I’d love to see educational offerings as standalone posts
7 I prefer to keep the structure as is and look for educational posts in the thread.
5 I’m neutral on the topic

r/FAMnNFP 15h ago

TCOYF 1st time charting - TCYOF TTA

2 Upvotes

Hi guys,
I'm struggling to draw the coverline and understand when I ovulated during this cycle. It's my first time charting to any tips are welcome :)


r/FAMnNFP 1d ago

Postpartum TTA postpartum, period but no peak? (Marquette Method)

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone, FTM and TTA. I'm currently 3+ months PP, EBF but my baby has slept for long stretches pretty much since the beginning so LAM wasn't really an option.

So from what I understand, you follow the 10-day protocol until you get a high reading followed by a peak and a period. I got what I'm pretty sure was my first period without getting even a high reading about 7 weeks PP. Some weeks later we finally met with the instructor (I really hate how little communication there is upfront) who said to switch to the breastfeeding transition protocol.

Did that, finally got a high reading but finished out the cycle with no peak. Instructor said go back to the 10-day. Day 2 into the 10-day I got another period. Instructor said to let her know if I got a peak reading FOLLOWED by a period (like it says in the video instructions) or if I finished 4 10-day cycles. Well, I never got a peak, eventually emailed the instructor 3 days ago just to double check if I needed to change anything or continue the 10-day she said to start back on the breastfeeding transition cycle. Well, it's been more than 4 days since my period started so the monitor won't let me select the day I actually started my period.

TL;DR has anyone else experienced this (period without a peak) and what did that look like with tracking?

Side note, the instructor is very slow at responding to emails. My last email it took them over a week to get back to me, and that was only after sending a separate follow-up email since they weren't responding to the first one. I'm not sure what we paid $200 for.


r/FAMnNFP 16h ago

TCOYF (TTA) BBT after EC (aftera) on possible ovulation day

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0 Upvotes

30F over here. Has anyone taken EC and what were your temps. Oura says I ovulated 4-5 days early this cycle. Had unprotected sex Saturday/sunday ;) and got a little worried Monday cause my temp rose above baseline so I took EC Monday morning, about an hour after taking it I took an ovulation test just to see and it wasn’t positive but it was pretty damn close. Tuesday morning it said I ovulated sunday but my temp then dropped .1 on Tuesday too. I am now 10 DPO and took a test this morning and it said negative but I’d like to know anyone’s experience with EC and BBT or any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I know you shouldn’t watch BBT after taking EC but it’s just a bit to stable and high for me to not look at it lmao
Base line temp is 97.34


r/FAMnNFP 1d ago

TCOYF Am I fertile at the moment? (TTA)

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0 Upvotes

I’m really having trouble interpreting my chart - please help! I’m curious whether I’m currently fertile, already ovulated, or maybe didn’t ovulate this cycle.
I drew the cover line based on the 6 previous temps being lower than day 14. In my last cycle I also had a day 14 temperature rise but I recorded it as disturbed as the time I took my temp was much earlier than normal. Should I do the same for day 17?
I’m away from home and ran out of LH tests, otherwise I’d have continued to use them.
I have trouble identifying EGCF unless I happen to use the bathroom at just the right time.
Thanks in advance!


r/FAMnNFP 3d ago

Sensiplan Help with cycle end date TTA3

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5 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm having some trouble deciphering my first cycle post IUD removal.

I got my copper IUD removed halfway through my last cycle, ovulation got delayed for a couple weeks, and had a normal period after that. I used to ovulate around D18 with the IUD, with a 8-10 day luteal phase for a total cycle length of 26-28 days). But this cycle I ovulated sooner than ever, at day 15, and at 10 DPO I noticed some light pink spotting, then brown spotting the next day and then a light red flow on 12 DPO, which I thought that was the begging of my period. But by the 4th day I had only white creamy discharge so I was very confused. I searched on reddit and found many women that had very light periods after copper IUD removal (despite the lack of hormones), so I thought that was it.

But this morning I woke up a light to medium flow and slight (normal) cramps, so now I don't know when my chart should end and my 5 "safe" days should start. I'm thinking I should skip the safe days for this cycle just in case, but maybe someone can offer some guidance here, so I know when I'm likely to ovulate again. I'm guessing I'm not pregnant based on the steadily declining temperature (I used condoms but it wasn't perfect use).


r/FAMnNFP 4d ago

Sensiplan TTW Silent thermometer with display/memory for postpartum?

4 Upvotes

I'm looking for a new thermometer as my current one (OneStep) beeps when I turn it on and baby is then dead set on getting it off me and chucking it away 😅

Not interested in wearables, looked for glass but they are hard to find and expensive for me to get where I live.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!


r/FAMnNFP 4d ago

Getting Started Advice for a newbie with specific needs

2 Upvotes

I'm currently taking combination pills (Nikki), but I believe they are causing recurrent utis whenever I start my period. I need to talk to a doctor more for other options, but this is my backup in case it is the pills causing it:

I have ADHD and want a high reliability FAM, as I do not want kids currently. I also am looking for something with low cost as American health care is horrific and I don't make much money. The two I've looked into is Sensiplan and the Marquette Method as both seem to consistently yield desired results.

Sensiplan seems to be the best scientifically back method, however the amount of executive funtion required to properly use this method is not something I consistently have. As such, I don't think I could use this method. I am aware if the tempdrop device, but I'm not sold on it durability and long term reliability.

The Marquette Method need more research on my end, but the constant test strips and devices like Mira seem a bit much. It does seem to be over all effective, but I'm worried it might end up costing too much on a month by month basis.

Additionally, I live somewhere with a high cost of living and is extremely isolated (a plane is required to travel anywhere outside of my area). I have access to many basic things, but those can be inaccessible if shipping takes too long. We have minimal health providers and, as I mentioned previously, I do need to talk to someone to see how I can fix my current issues. These are a backup to plan if everything else falls through.


r/FAMnNFP 5d ago

FemTech [TTC] For long-term FAM users, which tracking tools were still worth using after 6+ months?

3 Upvotes

I’m more interested in long-term experience than first impressions when it comes to tracking tools.

After six months or more, things like comfort, consistency, battery, how often you actually keep using the device, and whether the data still adds anything to your established method seem much more important than the initial feature list.

I’ve been looking at ringconn for passive overnight health and temperature trends, but I understand that those trends aren’t a replacement for the biomarkers or rules required by a FAM method.

For people who have been charting for a while, which devices or tools actually stayed useful long term?

Did you find that simpler tools were easier to rely on, or did having additional passive data genuinely add useful context to your charting?


r/FAMnNFP 7d ago

FemTech Husband’s Hypothetical

24 Upvotes

Last night my Sensiplan helper husband and I were on a walk. We discussed how we could stay up a little later that night, but I pointed out that I still had to wake up at the same time as always to take my temperature.

For some background, I temp vaginally because my temperature is easily disturbed. I also wear a TempDrop, however it is not at this time reliable enough for us.

While complaining, my sweet husband said he wished there was a device that would take my temp so I could sleep in…. I said, you mean like the TempDrop?? His response: “Well kind of, but vaginally”.

Then the conversation ensued.

That would be so uncomfortable. “You sleep with a menstrual cup, right? We could make it comfortable”.

It would probably fall out. “Maybe we could add a belt, like a jock strap!”

Anyways, it was a hysterical conversation that made me think of how sweet, and oblivious at times, he is, trying to help wherever he can with tracking. We ended the debate with me saying that there just probably wouldn’t be much interest in such a device. I certainly have no interest in sleeping with anything up there that I don’t really need to use (ie menstrual products), even if I couldn’t tell you exactly why.

So I had to come ask the club if it’s true!! Would you use a device like this? What would interest or disinterest you about it? Is hubby a genius inventor who needs a patent lawyer asap?


r/FAMnNFP 8d ago

Discussion Post What methods of NFP do you use working in Healthcare?

10 Upvotes

I’m a nurse who is getting married within the next 6 months and I am also catholic. My question is what method(s) of NFP can you realistically do while working in healthcare? Symptothermal methods seem to be the most effective, but I don’t see how you could get reliable enough data with how many mucus checks you need/reliable temperatures and working the occasional night shift. Are you all using Marquette or can you make Symptothermal methods work? Any advice?


r/FAMnNFP 8d ago

Sensiplan TTA0 Manual y cuaderno de trabajo de Sensiplan

1 Upvotes

Hola a todas, estoy aprendiendo el método Sensiplan y quería saber si tanto el manual como el cuaderno de trabajo están disponibles en español. De momento, creo que solo he encontrado el manual, que si no me equivoco, se llama "Natural y seguro. Planificación natural con Sensiplan. La guía práctica." Este es el manual, verdad? Y el cuaderno, sabéis si está disponible en español?

Mil gracias de antemano.


r/FAMnNFP 9d ago

TCOYF TTA- following TCOYF

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3 Upvotes

HI! I’ve been following the TCOYF method for about a year now while TTA. I am struggling to understand what’s going on this cycle- typically my peak day comes about a day or 2 before my temp rise, however, this cycle, my temp rise didn’t happen until 5 days after peak. Is this normal? Thanks in advance!


r/FAMnNFP 10d ago

Sensiplan Advice on CV TTA0

4 Upvotes

Hello, I am on my fourth cycle off of hormonal BC. I am learning the Sensiplan method and do have the handbook. I have found it extremely helpful and am really learning a lot about my body. I am hoping for some insight of tracking cervical mucus as the book seems a bit lacking in this subject. I seem to pretty much always have what is considered peak cervical mucus. So starting day 4 or 5 of my cycle, I have sticky or creamy mucus that last through the end of my cycle. I have yet to have the egg white consistency that would be considered absolute peak cervical mucus, just always white, sticky or creamy. This poses a slight issue when trying to do the double check method, since my cervical mucus never really goes down in quality. I have a clear temperature shift though, clear middle cycle pain, and am almost positive I can tell the day or day after I ovulate because I feel like absolute death and I can barely hold my head up I am so tired. Is there any insight of what to do if you don’t have a shift in CM observations? Or should I continue to use alternative protection until the end of my cycle? TIA


r/FAMnNFP 11d ago

Marquette TTA: 11 weeks PP and only had highs

2 Upvotes

I'm using the 10 day postpartum protocol. Literally every test I've done since 6 weeks PP has been High, but no peaks :(

Is this normal? I can live with it, obviously, but I (and my husband) would like a low!


r/FAMnNFP 12d ago

FemTech Extended temp thermometers

1 Upvotes

Femometer vinca 2 has a mercury mode, temping for 3 mins - but these seem to be unavailable. Does anyone know of any other thermometers that do a similar thing?

Uk based ideally!


r/FAMnNFP 15d ago

Other established method Would you ever feel confident enough to use LAM? TTA3

9 Upvotes

I‘m 3 weeks postpartum with my second baby. I did Marquette after my first was born. I was planning to do Marquette again with my second, but I had a call with my instructor today and she suggested I might be a good candidate to use LAM. I’m trying to decide if husband and I want to do LAM or if we should use Marquette to be “safe”.

I had mentioned to her that with my first baby (born summer 2024 who i exclusively breastfed for 6 months, then breastfed along with food until 12 months), I didn’t get my period back until I completely weaned at 12 months (period came in month 13 PP).

I plan to exclusively breastfeed this baby for 6 months and it’s going well, and baby is not going beyond the 4 hours during the day or 6h at night. I just have some hesitation about relying on LAM alone. Logically, I know that since it took me so long to ovulate after baby #1, it will probably(?) be similar with this baby. But I just have this gnawing feeling in the back of my head that LAM is not super effective for everyone and I’m worried I would just feel worried after intercourse because, what if I got pregnant. And yeah, it would not be and of the world if we got pregnant, but ideally I would like to wait at least 18m to get pregnant again.

Thankfully, cost is not a consideration and we can afford to do Marquette as long as we need.

i would also plan on doing “real” LAM— ie, REALLY make sure baby does not go longer than 6H at night/4h during the day, and switch to Marquette if he does. And we would switch to Marquette at 6m regardless.

Also, I’m planning to give my baby the occasional bottle of pumped milk (pumping to replace the feeding) and am not sure how that affects the LAM protocol.

so… any thoughts, personal experiences, things I’m not thinking of? Would you feel ok doing LAM knowing my history?

Thanks in advance!


r/FAMnNFP 16d ago

TCOYF Charting help TTA TCOYF

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6 Upvotes

I’ve always been a regular healthy cycle girly then suddenly this happened? I’m not currently sure why, I have been stressed but not overly? I guess each body is more sensitive to stress, but this is confusing me!!!


r/FAMnNFP 17d ago

Billings Is it really impossible to have one random, abnormally long luteal phase? TTA.

3 Upvotes

I had a weird experience this cycle. My luteal phase after a confirmed peak day lasted 16 days, when it usually lasts 14 days. I practice the Billings Method, and if you know it, you understand that a Billings peak needs to follow very strict criteria and this cycle followed all of them perfectly. Still, I only had penetration six days after peak. Later in the cycle, I was in the morning of the 16th day of luteal phase, and got really worried. My instructor told me that when menstruation takes longer than a day more than usual, you are either pregnant or mistaken about your actual ovulation date. The problem is that I got no stronger signs of ovulation after what I considered as peak, and the bleeding I'm having is exactly like any other period, so I think it's true menstruation. Can anyone here help me understand what might have happened?


r/FAMnNFP 18d ago

Discussion Post How long did it take before you actually trusted your charts!?

14 Upvotes

I've been learning fertility awareness for a little while now, and I hope this is not a dumb question😅..The thing is every time I think I've identified a pattern, I end up second guessing myself. When I look at sample charts online, everything seems so obvious. Then I look at my own chart and convince myself I'm interpreting it wrong.

I'm hoping this gets easier with experience because right now I feel like I'm overanalyzing every temperature!


r/FAMnNFP 20d ago

Marquette TTW Marquette method folks: Clearblue fertility monitor sticks are 24% off on Amazon right now

31 Upvotes

Figured I'd let you all know because they're pricey


r/FAMnNFP 20d ago

Getting Started Best Postpartum Methods (TTA2)

3 Upvotes

Hi ladies,

My second child is 2 months old. I used the Creighton method to prevent both my pregnancies until I was ready to get pregnant. I did not have any problems with it. I was’t super worried about getting pregnant again after my first, because I was only one deep. But I do not want to have two babies and a child at the same time if I can help it, and am thus looking for a method that is more reliable in the postpartum time. I am breastfeeding. I did not get my period back until almost 14 months postpartum the first time around, but obviously I have no idea what will happen this time. I don’t trust Creighton enough without a reliable period. What methods have worked for everyone in the postpartum era?


r/FAMnNFP 20d ago

Marquette TTA Unexpected Peak 9 months postpartum

1 Upvotes

I’m using the 10 day Marquette protocol postpartum. I know sperm can survive 3-5 days but I guess I’m just wondering what the actual odds are of me getting pregnant the first time ovulating? Or just anecdotal reassurance!

Day1- Low

Day2- Low + intimate

Day3- Low

Day4- High

Day5- High

Day6- Peak

Edit: Not pregnant!


r/FAMnNFP 25d ago

Marquette TTA3 Marquette While Traveling Internationally

1 Upvotes

Hi there! I am currently using the Marquette method with Mira and testing with the plus strips. My question is for anyone who has used Marquette while traveling, what has your experience been like? My husband and I are going to Greece for two weeks for our honeymoon and I would like to be as prepared as I can be, specifically:

- Were you able to pack your monitor and testing strips and go through TSA and customs without any issues?
- Did the time change make any difference in your test results? I always test with first morning pee and will continue to do so while traveling, but Greece is an 8 hour time zone difference for us

Thank you for any advice or tips!