Glossary
Glossary
A daily practice of reading your body – observing, recording and interpreting bodily signs associated with the menstrual cycle according to evidence-based guidelines – often initially accompanied by learning support from a certified educator or handbook.
These bodily signs (such as cervical fluid, waking body temperature and urinary hormone tests) – also sometimes known as indicators or biomarkers – can offer real-time insights into your unique menstrual cycle patterns, fertility, health and wellbeing.
The same thing as fertility awareness. Those who practice fertility awareness record their observations in a “chart” (whether paper or digital app) so this practice is often known as menstrual cycle charting.
Those days of a menstrual cycle when sex could possibly lead to pregnancy.
An umbrella term used to describe a variety of ways of charting your menstrual cycles.
Each method has its own set of indicators and evidence-based guidelines for identifying the open / close of the fertile window.
FABMs that combine cervical fluid and/or cervix observations (the sympto part) with basal body temperature readings (the thermal part).
Single-check methods rely on cervical fluid or cervix observations alone to open the fertile window. Examples include Justisse and The Well.
Double-check methods add a cycle-based calculation as a conservative buffer to open the fertile window (if the calculated first fertile day comes before the first observation of cervical fluid in a menstrual cycle). Examples include Sensiplan and SymptoPro.
FABMs that combine cervical fluid observations (the sympto part) with urinary hormone tests (the hormonal part). They may also sometimes incorporate basal body temperature readings.
Examples with luteinising hormone (LH) tests include FEMM.
Examples with the Clearblue fertility monitor which tracks changes in estrogen and LH include Marquette and Boston Cross Check.
FABMs that rely on cervical fluid observations alone. Examples include Billings and Creighton.
A term used on this site to refer to menstrual cycles that are typically 24-38 days long (with confirmed ovulation if charting). Please note that educators who are listed only for regular cycles may not be specialised in supporting those with irregular menstrual cycles / other circumstances.
A term used on this site to describe polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) / long menstrual cycles (more than 38 days) / irregular menstrual cycles (length varying by more 9 days over the course of a year). It can be especially helpful to get personalised learning support from a certified educator in these circumstances.
The time after giving birth possibly including breastfeeding. Those who are charting postpartum may experience a long wait for the return of their fertility and/or irregular cycles. It can be especially helpful to get personalised learning support from a certified educator during this time.
The time around / leading up to menopause (final menstrual period). Those who are approaching menopause may experience irregular cycles. It can be especially helpful to get personalised learning support from a certified educator during this time.
A term used on this site to denote teaching in a framework that doesn’t have any connection with religion. However spiritual themes (for example feminine, lunar, ecological, ancestral) may be lightly referenced or offered.
A term used on this site to denote educators who report having been trained to engage in practices that promote a culture of safety and empowerment for those who have experienced trauma including sexual abuse.
This institute teaches a cervical fluid / mucus-only method within a Catholic framework.
The method has simple guidelines that are well suited for those with irregular menstrual cycles and throughout the life course including during the postpartum time (after giving birth) and leading up to menopause. Educators are available worldwide.
More information here.
This institute teaches a sympto-hormonal (Clearblue monitor) method within a Catholic framework. It also includes waking body temperature as an optional cross-check. The method is very versatile with different possible combinations of biomarkers!
This method is especially popular among those who are charting postpartum (after giving birth). It can be used throughout the life course.
More information here.
This institute teaches a double-check sympto-thermal method within a Catholic framework.
This method may be particularly suited for those with fairly regular menstrual cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here.
This institute teaches a cervical fluid / mucus-only method within a Catholic framework.
The method includes standardised and detailed cervical mucus codes that can be used to inform restorative reproductive healthcare using NaPro Technology.
More information here.
This institute teaches a double-check sympto-thermal method with a secular ethos.
This method may be particularly suited for those with fairly regular menstrual cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here in French.
This institute teaches a sympto-hormonal (LH) method with a Catholic background.
Many of its educators offer additional guidelines for sympto-thermal charting with waking body temperature.
This institute also supports restorative reproductive healthcare by medical practitioners using insights from menstrual cycle charts.
More information here.
This institute teaches a double-check sympto-thermal method with a secular ethos. It is connected with the UK’s National Health Service.
This method may be particularly suited for those with fairly regular menstrual cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here.
This institute teaches a cervical fluid / mucus-only method within a secular framework.
There are also sympto-thermal guidelines for those who wish to chart their waking body temperature alongside cervical fluid.
The method includes standardised and detailed cervical mucus codes that can be used to inform holistic approaches to reproductive healthcare.
More information here.
This Latin American institute teaches a single-check sympto-thermal method (inspired by the Taking Charge Of Your Fertility handbook) in Spanish within a secular framework.
Latinoamérica Fértil (LAFER) educators complete a supervised practicum and are also trained as gyneco-ecological herbal practitioners.
More information here.
This institute teaches a sympto-hormonal (Clearblue monitor) method within a Catholic framework. It also includes waking body temperature as an optional cross-check. The method is very versatile with different possible combinations of biomarkers!
This method is especially popular among those who are charting postpartum (after giving birth). It can be used throughout the life course.
More information here.
This is a sympto-thermal method with a secular ethos taught by Dr Kerry Hampton in Australia.
It may be particularly suited for those with fairly menstrual regular cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here.
This institute teaches a double-check sympto-thermal method with a secular ethos.
This method may be particularly suited for those with fairly regular menstrual cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here.
This institute teaches a double-check sympto-thermal method with a lightly Catholic background. Many of its educators work within a secular framework.
This method may be particularly suited for those with fairly regular menstrual cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here.
This institute teaches a double-check sympto-thermal method with a Catholic background.
This method may be particularly suited for those with fairly regular menstrual cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here.
This institute teaches a double-check sympto-thermal method within a Catholic framework.
This method may be particularly suited for those with fairly regular menstrual cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here.
This institute teaches a double-check sympto-thermal method within a Catholic framework.
This method may be particularly suited for those with fairly regular cycles who are looking for high effectiveness when avoiding pregnancy.
More information here.
This institute teaches a single-check sympto-thermal method within a secular framework.
Attention is often given to holistic ways of supporting hormonal health and well-being.
More information here.
Note: The Well was formerly called Grace Of The Moon.
Doula Canada’s Fertility Support program trains doulas to provide support through all aspects of a fertility journey.
This includes basic single-check sympto-thermal method principles per the Taking Charge Of Your Fertility handbook. The program focuses on fertility awareness charting alongside preconception health support.
Participants in the program are required to complete a practicum with two clients (8+ hours each) one of whom must be a 2+ cycle fertility awareness charting client.
More information about the training can be found here.
Self-taught practitioners are those who have chosen to develop their knowledge, skills and expertise outside of a formal training program or certification framework.
Self-taught practitioners typically draw from in-depth reading of various materials and resources, embodied experiences of fertility awareness charting, conversations with and mentorship by other educators / practitioners, and learning from diverse training workshops / circles. They may refer to others for any questions that fall outside of their expertise.
Self-taught practitioners are listed in this directory with a note about their background under their bio text. Please consult this to learn more about their unique journey into fertility awareness support and consider whether they might be a good fit for you.
A series of learning sessions (the format and overall duration can vary) to support you to develop a menstrual cycle charting practice.
$ = Up to $225
$$ = $226-349
$$$ = $350 and more
All prices expressed in US$
$ = Up to $50
$$ = $51-99
$$$ = $100 and more
All prices expressed in US$
Educators appearing in the lower pricing bracket may be based in countries where the cost of living is relatively low and/or may be offering more compact learning packages.
Educators appearing in the higher pricing bracket may be based in countries where the cost of living is relatively high and/or may be offering more extensive learning packages.
Many educators offer payment plans, sliding scales, etc ♡
