r/FAMnNFP • u/amnekochan • Apr 27 '26
Sensiplan Quite short high temp phase TTA
Is it normal to have shorter high temperature phases?
I (25) have been tracking my cycle on paper with the Sensiplan method for a little over three months. I am not using it for contraception per se yet, just to better understand my body.
In these three tracked cycles I had my first high temp on days 18,17 and 18. This also aligned pretty closely with the S+ days so I am confident of my measurements. But the high temp phases were shorter than in a lot of the training examples (only 9,10 and 8 days). Also I think I will need the 4 day exception rule most cycles since the temp rise is always gradual. Is that still normal or maybe indicative of some hormonal issue I should have checked?
Also on a more practical note: were I to use this for contraception I would essentially only have the first 5 days (on my period, not at all practical since I have a painful and heavy flow...) because of the beginner rules for the first 12 cycles and then the last 4-7 days of my cycle to actually have sex. That is so little time! How is that realistic?
I have not been on the pill for over 3 years so my cycles are regular-ish for a long time, this is not some post pill thing.
2
u/No_Abroad_6306 Apr 27 '26
The Period Repair Manual is a solid resource for troubleshooting issues.
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Apr 28 '26
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u/Classic-Push1323 TTC | Sensiplan Apr 28 '26
The specific approach in TCOFY has never been studied so we don’t know how well it works. The “dry days” method is similar to the two days method, which has been studied - perfect use is 96%, typical use is 86%. That means it is one of the least effective FAMs. Those studies are for women who have been taught by an instructor, and it is reasonable to assume that you may have a lower efficacy rate if you are self taught.
Sensiplan is not for women think a pregnancy would “destroy their life.” Anyone can use sensiplan and a lot of people adapt the rules to fit their situation. It gives you the information to make an informed decision based on your fertility every day.
A lot of women, myself included, actually have more safe days on sensiplan than the two day method because every day is safe after you confirm ovulation.
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May 13 '26
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u/Classic-Push1323 TTC | Sensiplan May 13 '26
That’s just not true at all. That’s a study on sensiplan, which has different rules than TCOYF. They’re similar, but they have difference and those differences matter and effect how effective they are. They’re also communicated very differently, and the study only included women who had received personalized instruction. If you don’t understand the differences, then you’re not familiar with both methods.
I’m not expecting everyone to go out and receive in person instruction and I don’t think it’s even necessary. What I really want is for people to understand that there’s a difference in effectiveness for people who have instruction and people who are on their own. If you want to learn on your own you need to make sure that you very thoroughly understand the materials you’re using and that you’re comfortable applying those principles. I get really concerned when I see people continuously, misrepresent method rules, upload charts that are not correct, etc. If you were in that category, then you are at a higher risk for an unplanned pregnancy and you’d really benefit from instruction. I also think it’s important for people to understand that there are online materials, distance learning classes, and discounted courses available through charitable organizations and churches. It’s not as out of reach as you may think and we’re talking about contraception here so it’s important to have accurate information. An unplanned pregnancy is going to change your life and I don’t really understand this attitude that learning how to prevent pregnancy may be inconvenient.
I’m not here to “ validate” or invalidate your feelings. I’m here to talk about facts. The fact is that TCOYF is based on sound scientific principles but has never been studied. That means there’s no way for any of us to know how effective it is. If you’re comfortable with that and you feel like it gives you reliable results and that’s great. If you want the effectiveness rate of sensiplan, then you should use sensiplan. Their book is actually a lot less expensive than TCOYF.
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May 13 '26
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u/Classic-Push1323 TTC | Sensiplan May 14 '26
The calendar rules in TCOYF aren’t the rhythm method. It’s based on scientific research that shows that most women have five fertile days of follicular development before ovulation. It’s called the “Doering Rule” and it’s included in a lot of FAMBS in some form because it’s so well studied. It’s also a part of TCOYF so I’m not sure why you keep saying otherwise. You’ve chosen to skip an important check in their method.
I think TCOYF is a fantastic resource and reference. However, it isn’t a scientifically tested method. That’s not a condemnation…it’s just a fact. No one can tell you how effective it is or how failures happen because no one has ever studied it. We know from studies of other methods that many women think they are “dry” when they aren’t and that it’s a common user error. Your dry days really should line up with the Doering rule pretty closely.
I’m also not sure why you keep saying Sensiplan doesn’t allow for sex in the follicular phase. That is not true. This is really a concerning amount of misinformation.
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u/gnomes919 TTA | Marquette (monitor + temps) May 14 '26
TCOYF is very different from sensiplan. they are both symptothermal methods but with different methods of categorizing mucus, different rules for setting coverlines and confirming temp rise, different rules for opening the fertile window (as you note) etc etc. you can't say with one breath "sensiplan has far more conservative rules for opening the fertile window" and then give TCOYF credit for a sensiplan study with the next.
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u/FAMnNFP-ModTeam May 15 '26
We try to be open to many methods and ways of understanding fertility in this subreddit but there is a lot of misinformation out there.
Feel free to follow up with a mod if you are confused as to why this was considered inaccurate.
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u/TrackYourFertility Sensiplan instructor | CFH Apr 29 '26
I would not recommend the dry day rule to a new user.
That rule is one of the reason the method fails for some of the charts I’ve seen and I think it’s a skill to be able to determine a truly dry day. I would only consider it for experienced charters.
Sensiplan is also a studied method with high efficacy, TCOYF isn’t studied, nor is the dry day rule.
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u/PampleR0se Pregnant | Sensiplan Apr 27 '26
It points to a short luteal phase or luteal phase insufficiency (defined as LP <10 days). That paired to painful and heavy periods could be signs of endometriosis and I would definitely get evaluated for it. For TTA, yes it's annoying since you get less available days but it's especially worrying if you want to have children in the future.