Fertility awareness can be an effective method of birth contol of women know how to do it right. During this time women must avoid having sex or either use another kind of method such as a condom or a diaphragm. This must be done 8-16 days before the menstrual cycle.

While fertility awareness works for women that are trying to become pregnant, it is not best for women that are trying to prevent pregnancy for happening. There are certain methods used during fertility awareness to help women with knowing when they should or should not have sex.

Effective fertility awareness methods:

- The calendar method has been used for generations. It involves guessing when the period might end and when it would start. it also involves documenting the exact day of when the period started and ended.

- Standard days method is for women who cycle for around 26-32 days.

- Basal body temperature method.

- Cervical mucus method.

- Hormone monitoring.

Sometimes some methods might need to be combined together so talking with either a therapist or doctor can help with clarification on what methods should be used.