The Camen symptothermal method to determine the fertile days naturally

Every woman, observing her own body carefully and constantly, can recognize the signs and symptoms of her own fertility.

At the moment of ovulation thanks to the action of hormones, the woman has precise signs that she can easily identify and the 3 major indicators of fertility are:

• Basal temperature
• Cervical mucus
• Cervical changes

The basal temperature

During the ovarian cycle, the temperature of the woman, resting at night, presents a trend with two distinct phases: one of lower temperature before ovulation, and one of higher temperature after ovulation.

It is progesterone that causes the temperature to rise by a few tenths of a degree. The increase in temperature is therefore a sign of an imminent or already occurred ovulation. The woman recognizes ovulation by measuring every day of the cycle, at the same time, the temperature as soon as she wakes up without getting out of bed yet.

The woman notices that, more or less in the middle of the cycle, this rises by a few tenths of a degree to remain high until the time of the next menstruation. The temperatures detected are reported on a graph that signals to the woman her fertile period.

cervical mucus

By observing the change in appearance, consistency and sensation of her own mucus , the woman can have indications on her fertility. The secretion of mucus is given by the same hormones that make the egg mature, estrogen. This fluid allows the sperm to enter easily, are nourished and allows their ascent to the uterus. The appearance, consistency and amount of this mucus changes based on hormones. At the beginning the mucus is opaque sticky and particularly dense, the days go by and it becomes more fluid, clear and abundant. With these characteristics, the latter described, ovulation is imminent.

The changes of the uterine cervix

The cervix also undergoes changes during the cycle. The cervix , better known as the “neck of the uterus” is located at the top of the vagina. In the center of the neck of the uterus there is an opening through which the menstrual flow passes and where the sperm enter. The cervix changes under the stimulus of estrogen and this changes both in consistency, position and opening.

The Camen symptothermal method

This method is based on the combination of the various signs of fertility described above, therefore: cervical mucus, basal temperature and changes in the uterine cervix.

The woman must observe all these signs correctly and report them faithfully and correctly on a card.

Observing the card, day by day we observe how the signs change.

The three signs taken into consideration at the same time help the woman because she has three indicators at her disposal which help her to identify the beginning and the end of the fertile period.

According to the Camen method, the fertile period begins on the day of the first appearance of mucus on the external genitalia. These days the cervix also has changes becoming softer, it moves up and the orifice opens a little .

In the following days, both the cervical mucus and the uterine cervix continue to undergo changes until a picture of full fertility is reached: the mucus is fluid, transparent and stringy, and the uterine cervix becomes soft, high in the vagina and open.

The basal temperature, which is measured by the woman every day, also shows a low trend up to the day of the peak.

Immediately after the day of the peak, it rises by at least a tenth of a degree and remains high until the day of the next menstruation. After three days of high temperatures, which are following the day of the peak, the fertile period is considered over.

Once the beginning and end of the fertile period have been identified, the couple who want to become pregnant know when to have intercourse that leads to an easy one. The couple who do not want to become pregnant, on the other hand, know when to abstain.

Why choose natural methods?

• After careful observation of the symptoms, the couple chooses whether or not to have sexual intercourse in the fertile period with awareness and autonomy.
• They favor dialogue in the couple, thanks to the attention that must be paid to reading the card and interpreting the symptoms.
• It’s an easy method that helps observation of one’s body and greater awareness.
• They are harmless, and have no medical contraindications.