Taking Charge of Your Fertility
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anovulation and, 122, 138
causes of, 138–39
charting, 139, 139
diagnosis of, 139, 216
diet for, 141
effects on fertility, 140, 155, 230
long-term health risks, 138
myths about, 140
symptoms of, 137–38
treatment of, 140–43, 252–53
Pooled progesterone test, 219, 233, 265
Poppema, Suzanne, 312
Postcoital tests (PCT), 21, 22, 232, 237
Postovulatory Infertile-Phase Rules, 172–75, 179, 425
Pregnancy
anovulation and, 115–16
confusing irregular cycles with, 331
symptoms of, 211
unplanned, reasons for, 14–16
Pregnancy achievement
aging and, 153–55, 222
alternative therapies for, 150–51, 220
antibiotics and yeast infections, 215
caffeine, nicotine, drugs, and alcohol factors, 214–15
charting temps during, 199–202
conditions amenable to noninvasive remedies, 216–19
diet, weight, and exercise factors, 214
drugs supporting, 243
fertility advantages of some women, 189–90
fertility truths, 188–89
frequently asked questions, 401–4
gender selection. See Gender selection
herbal supplements, 213
lovemaking vs. babymaking, 228
lubricant use and, 216
luteal phase insufficiencies, 218–19
male fertility and, 203–9
optimizing chances, 204, 212
ovulation detection methods, 192–93
ovulation predictor kits, 190–92
politics of, 17–24
role of FAM in, 194–202
sexual frequency and, 209
sexual positions during intercourse and, 216
sperm count and, 203–4, 205–8
stress reduction and, 223–26
tests and treatments for. See Tests and
treatments to achieve pregnancy
timing intercourse to optimize chances, 206–7, 209, 212
vaginal hygiene and, 215
Pregnancy tests, 210
“false negative” results, 51, 210
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), 250–51, 263–64, 468
Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), 250–51
Premarin, 332, 332n
Premature menopause, 326, 327
Premature ovarian aging (POA), 230, 269–70, 270
Premature ovarian failure (POF), 123
Premenopause, 116, 326, 461. See also Menopause
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), 317
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), 315–24
bibliography, 514–15
charting signs, 318, 318
complementary health care, 321–22
diagnosis of, 318
medical treatments, 322–23
partner’s education about, 324
self-help approaches, 319–21
support groups for, 349
symptoms of, 316
treatments for, 319–23
Preovulatory Infertile-Phase Rules, 167–71, 179, 183, 425
Primary fertility signs, 52–67. See also Cervical fluid; Cervical position; Charting of fertility signs; Waking temperature
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), 123–24, 270, 326, 327
Primordial follicles, 158, 241, 406
Probiotics, 215
Procycle PMs, 150
Profet, Margie, 46n
Profitability of contraceptive methods, 7–8
Progestational phase. See Luteal phase
Progesterone, 47, 47, 48, 407
menstrual cycle and, 150, 407, 408, 410, 411
waking temperature and, 62, 63, 195, 197
women’s fertility, importance of, 47–48
Progesterone test, 233, 237
Progesterone therapy, 219
Progestins, 322, 332
Prolactin, 116, 219
excessive, 123, 243
Prolactin test, 233
Propantheline, 217
Prostaglandins, 135, 264, 315, 323
Prostate gland, 41, 43
Psoriasis, 275
Quindlen, Anna, 14
Reflexology, 321
Reproductive anatomy
female, 34–40
male, 35, 40–43
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, 474
Rhythm Method, xviii, 3, 4, 305, 422
Rivers, Joan, 228
Robitussin, 218
Rubella vaccination, 289
Russell, Dora, 11
Safe sex, 157
Salivary ferning tests, 176, 193
Sanger, Margaret, 346–47
Scott, Hazel, 45
Screaming to Be Heard (Vliet), 316
Scrotum, 39, 41, 42
Secondary fertility signs, 68–71
Selective hysterosalpingogram, 236
Self-esteem through knowledge about your body, 342–44
Self-help therapies, for PMS, 319–21
Semen, 41, 43. See also Sperm
Semen analysis. See Sperm count
Semen emitting technique (SETs), 83, 208, 452
Seminal fluid, 42, 43, 54, 61
Seminal vesicles, 41
Seminiferous tubules, 41
Serena Canada, 473
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), 323
17-beta estradiol, 332n
Sex cells (gametes), 34, 39, 40
Sex selection. See Gender selection
Sexuality, 301–11
birth control and, 311
guy’s guide to better sex, 313–14
lovemaking vs. babymaking, 228
menopause and, 335
midcycle sexiness, 310
orgasm. See Orgasm
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), 232, 269, 297
Sexual positions, 216, 308, 310, 314
Sexual Solutions (Castleman), 307
Shannon, Marilyn, 150, 357n
Sharp pains, 69, 410
Sheehy, Gail, 328, 349
Shettles, Landrum, 464–65
Shomon, Mary, 378n
SHOW (Soft High Open Wet) cervical position, 66–67, 67, 100
Shower streams, for experiencing orgasm, 302
Silent Passage, The (Sheehy), 328, 349
Sleep
for natural hormone balance, 148
for PMS, 320
Slow Kegels, 83
Society for Reproductive Technologies, 259
Soy-based products, for menopause, 330
Sperm, 34, 43, 51
artificial insemination at home, 244–45
gender selection and, 465
survival inside woman, 40, 42, 43, 55, 57, 59, 164–65, 403
Sperm analysis. See Sperm count
Sperm antibodies, 258
Spermatids, 258
Sperm clumping (agglutination), 254
Sperm count, 42, 43, 203–4, 205–8
heat-related concerns, 42, 221
infertility and, 208
low, 43, 204, 204n, 205–7, 207, 215, 229, 255
normal, 43, 205, 208
pregnancy achievement and, 205–8, 221–22
tests to determine fertility, 254
treatments for low, 255–58
Sperm DNA integrity assay (SDIA), 254
Sperm ducts, damaged, 256
Spermicides, 12, 15, 164, 421
Sperm penetration assay, 254
Sperm washing, 245, 247
Spina bifida, 214
Spinal cord defects, 147, 214
Spinnbarkeit, 55
Spotting. See Bleeding; Ovulatory spotting
Sterilization, 394, 414, 421
Steroids, 258, 266
Stone, Elizabeth, 212
Stress
anovulation and
, 121, 173, 223, 373
effects on fertility of, 403
waking temperature and late period, 64–65
Stress reduction
for natural hormone balance, 148
for PMS, 320
for pregnancy achievement, 223–26
Surgery
for breast cancer, 289
corrective procedures, 246
diagnostic procedures, 234
for endometriosis, 136, 273
for male infertility, 256
ovarian, 126, 131, 157, 226
for PCOS, 142–43
scheduling best time for, 289
Swollen vulva, 68, 70
Sympto-Thermal Method, 166, 415n, 416n, 423, 426
Synarel, 136
Tamoxifen, 217
Tampons, scented, 215
Teenage girls, unplanned pregnancies, 14n
Temperature (Thermal) Shift Rule, 174–75, 177, 179, 182, 424
Temperature taking. See Waking temperature
Testes (testicles), 41, 42
Testicular failure, 257–58
Testicular mapping, 257
Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), 257
Testicular sperm extraction (TESE), 257
Testosterone, 40, 335
Testosterone supplementation, 335
Testosterone test, 233
Tests and treatments to achieve pregnancy, 229–59
assisted reproductive technologies, 243–45, 246–51, 259
diagnostic procedures, 233–36
female infertility treatments, 242–53
fertility workup for men, 254–59
fertility workup for woman, 156–57, 230–41
inappropriate use of, 21–22, 23, 25
male infertility treatments, 255–58
physical and emotional ramifications of, 25
timing issues, 21–22
Texting as foreplay, 303
Thalidomide, 13
Thermal shift, 53, 94–95, 380, 435, 439
Thermal Shift Rule, 174–75, 177, 179, 182, 424
Thermometers, 92
Thyroid problems, 122, 149–50, 156, 217, 300
Thyroid Solution, The (Arem), 378n
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test, 233
Time-zone travel, and charting waking temperature, 96
Toxoplasmosis, 264
Traditional Chinese medicine, 150, 220, 321
Tranquilizers, 323
Trans fats, 141, 147
Travel
anovulation and, 119
waking-temperature charting and, 96
Treatments to achieve pregnancy. See Tests and treatments to achieve pregnancy
Triphasic pregnancy pattern, 200, 202, 367, 387
Trotula, 464
Tubal perfusion pressure (TPP) measurements, 236, 274
Tubal scarring, 128, 136, 235, 246
Tuboscopies, 235
Twins, 47–48, 48n, 400
Two Day Method, 422
Ulcerative colitis, 275
Ulcer medications, 215
Ultrasound, 234, 237, 262
Unchanging Day Rule, 452, 454, 463
Unplanned pregnancies, reasons for, 14–16
Urethra
female, 34, 37, 38
male, 41, 42
Urinary tract infections (UTIs), 37
User failure rate, 14–16, 414, 414n
Uterine abnormalities, 265, 297, 533
Uterus, 36, 39
Vacations. See Travel
Vaccinations, 289
Vagina, 36, 37, 38, 39
Vaginal dryness, 168, 330–31, 334, 335
Vaginal infections, 37, 280–82
avoidance of, 282
birth control with FAM and, 175
cervical fluid and, 280–82, 375
IUDs and, 15
symptoms of, 281–82
Vaginal lips, 37, 38, 68, 79
Vaginal moisturizers, 216
Vaginal sensation, 54, 55, 56, 58
Vaginal sprays, 215, 280
Vaginismus, 285
Vaginitis, 281
Vanishing twin syndrome, 48n, 400
Varicoceles, 256
Vas deferens, 40, 41, 42n, 256
Vegetable oils, 147
Vestibulitis, 285
Vibrators, 303, 304, 309
Vitex, 146, 213
Vliet, Elizabeth, 316
Vollman, Rudi F., 406n
Vulva, 38, 39
swelling before ovulation, 68, 70
Vulvodynia, 285
Waking temperature, 62–65
anovulation and, 195, 196
birth control with FAM and, 172–75
charting. See Waking-temperature charting
doctors’ inappropriate focus on, 20–21
factors increasing, 63
fertility factors detected through, 195–99
menopause and, 337
ovulation and, 62, 63
Pill and, 104
potential problems. See Waking temperature, problem situations
pregnancy achievement and, 195–202
progesterone and, 62, 63
stress and late period, 64–65
Waking temperature, problem situations, 377–88, 431–41
absence of biphasic temperature patterns, 63n
ambiguous thermal shifts, 380
below coverline well after ovulation, 382
dip before the rise, 381
drop after either 18 high temperatures or a positive pregnancy test, 388
drop day before period begins, 383
drop in temperature day 2 of thermal shift (fall-back pattern), 439
18 or more high temperatures after ovulation, 386
erratic temperatures, 434
fever, 175, 397, 440
higher-or lower-than-average temperatures, 378
high temperatures during period, 377
no thermal shift, 431
outlying temperatures, 94, 432
rise in spurts (stair-step pattern), 438
rise of 1/10th degree at a time (slow-rise pattern), 436
10 days or fewer of high temperatures above coverline, 384
two levels of high temperatures after ovulation (triphasic pattern), 387
weak thermal shift whose 3rd temp does not reach 3/10ths above coverline, 435
Waking-temperature charting, 89–98, 108–9
benefits of taking daily, 89
charting procedures, 91, 108
coverline, 93, 109, 174–75, 203
Daylight Saving Time change and, 96
fertility factors detected through, 195–203, 231
frequently asked questions, 397
gender selection and, 472
indicating conception and preventing unnecessary interventions, 199–202
length of cycles, prediction of, 97, 98
menopause and, 337, 340
minimum charting rule, 182
night-shift work and, 96
outlying temperatures and, 94, 432
pregnancy achievement and, 194–203
Rule of Thumb, 94
sensitive body and, 90
special circumstances, 96
temperature-taking procedures, 89–90, 108
thermal shift patterns, 94–95
thermometers for, 92
time-zone travel and, 96
waking-up time, 397
Water retention, 68
Weight issues
anovulation and, 120–21
pregnancy achievement and, 214
Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Labs Are Normal? (Kharrazian), 150
Withdrawal method of birth control, 42
Womb. See Uterus
Women’s health movement, 345–53
birth control and, 346–48
childbirth issues, 348
Fertility Awareness Method and, 346, 350–52
high-tech fertility procedures and, 349–50
menopause and, 349
Yeast infections, 215
Yoga, 216, 320
Yogurt, 215
Zoladex, 136
Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT), 246n
Master Chart Options
The two pages that precede this overview are the two classic master charts for Birth Control and Pregnancy. For the most part, one of these will meet your needs perfectly. Still, I would encourage you to visit TCOYF.com to skim through all eight charts that I have designed, to see if one is more appropriate for your particular situation. Their specific purpose is noted in tiny bold print in the bottom right corner of each chart, and include the following:
Birth Control (temps below 97) Pregnancy (temps below 97)
Birth Control with Examples Pregnancy with Examples
Birth Control (Internal/External) Pregnancy with Tests and Treatments
Birth Control (Celsius) Pregnancy (Celsius)
If you would like to observe your signs to simply keep track of your general health, you will probably want to use the classic birth control chart, since it’s the most basic. Regardless, if you choose to use either of the two master charts in front of this page, enlarge them by about 125%. Then before you copy the newly enlarged one, list the various signs you would like to color code in the narrow rows at the very bottom, such as breast tenderness, headaches, or cramps.
If possible, though, I suggest you print out the chart you prefer to use directly from the website. They will be cleaner, the exact size you want, and most importantly, capable of being modified to suit your own needs, such as adding or omitting various rows or changing terminology. Below is an example of the type of terms you may prefer to use to describe the three categories of cervical fluid, all listed below the standard ones I use in the book:
If you choose to fill in your charts by hand as opposed to using the app available at the website, I recommend keeping them organized in a 3-ring binder with your most recent on top, using a plastic sheet cover after each cycle is complete.
In addition, you might want to keep 3 sheets in the inside cover of the notebook: a copy of your master fertility chart, your master annual exam form, and a color-coding key of the signs you plan to record in the narrow columns at the bottom of the master chart. Keeping all your charts in chronological order is a great way to get an overview of your reproductive health over time, and could be an invaluable resource for your doctor, if and when problems or changes arise.
Finally, every year when you have your annual exam, copy the master annual exam form onto the back of the chart in which you have your appointment. It’s available here and, of course, at TCOYF.com. Happy Charting!
Professional Praise
“Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a fantastic book, loaded with practical and beautifully presented information that will transform and empower every woman’s relationship with her fertility. I recommend it to women of all ages.”
—Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women’s Bodies,
Women’s Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause