Taking charge of your fertility : the definitive guide to natural birth control, pregnancy achievement, and reproductive health

Offers a natural alternative to ineffective procedures and a biologically proven method of fertility control for avoiding or achieving pregnancy.;Through the -- Use of a 28-Day Model 356 -- F Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 364 -- G. The Difference Between Natural Methods of Birth Control 375 -- H. Optional Coverline 376 -- I. Drugs That May Affect Your Fertility Signs or Cycle 378 -- J. Interesting Terminology in Women's Health 383 -- K. Fertility Abbreviations 386 -- L. Sniglets 392 -- M. Fertility-Related Resources 398 -- N. Recommended Books 404 -- O. To Physicians and Other Medical Professionals 407 -- Glossary 413 -- Bibliography 430 -- Index 443 -- Master Charts 459. Machine generated contents note: Acknowledgments xiii -- Preface to the Revised Edition xvii -- Introduction xix -- Part One rS BREAKING FERTILE GROUND: TOWARD A NEW WAY OF THINKING I -- 1. Fertility Awareness: What You Should Know and -- Why You Probably Don't 3 -- 2. Taking Control of Your Reproductive Health 11 -- Part Two ea & REDISCOVERING YOUR CYCLE AND YOUR BODY 31 -- 3. There's More to Your Reproductive Anatomy Than Your Vagina 33 -- 4. Finally Making Sense of Your Menstrual Cycle 44 -- 5. The Three Primary Fertility Signs 52 -- 6. How to Observe and Chart Your Fertility Signs 69 -- 7. Anovulation and Irregular Cycles 103 -- Part Three b% NATURAL BIRTH CONTROL 115 -- 8. Practicing FAM Responsibly 117 -- 9. Natural Birth Control Without Chemicals or Devices 122 -- 10. Shortcuts: Minimum Charting with Maximum Reliability 136 -- Part Four 6b4 PREGNANCY ACHIEVEMENT 141 -- 11. Maximizing Your Chances of Getting Pregnant 143 -- 12. Practical Tips Beyond Fertility Awareness 169 -- 13. Lovemaking Versus Babymaking 183 -- 14. What Next? Tests and Treatments That May Be Necessary to -- Achieve Pregnancy 188 -- Part Five BEYOND FERTILITY: PRACTICAL BENEFITS OF -- CHARTING YOUR CYCLE 219 -- 15. Maintaining Your Gynecological Health 221 -- 16. Appreciating Your Sexuality and Nurturing Your Relationship 236 -- 17. Choosing the Sex of Your Baby 243 -- 18. Premenstrual Syndrome: It's Not All in My Head? 252 -- 19. Demystifying Menopause 260 -- 20. Enriching Your Self-Esteem Through Knowledge -- About Your Body 275 -- Epilogue to the Revised Edition: -- The Women's Health Movement and the Missing Piece of the Puzzle 278 -- APPENDIXES 289 -- A. Troubleshooting Your Cycle: Expecting the Unexpected 291 -- B. Using FAM for Birth Control During Special Circumstances -- (Stress, Breastfeeding, Premenopause, etc.) 333 -- C. Using FAM While Nursing Your Baby 341 -- D. The Contraceptive Effectiveness of Natural Birth Control 347 -- E. The Menstrual Cycle: A Summary of Events. Through the -- Use of a 28-Day Model 356 -- F Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 364 -- G. The Difference Between Natural Methods of Birth Control 375 -- H. Optional Coverline 376 -- I. Drugs That May Affect Your Fertility Signs or Cycle 378 -- J. Interesting Terminology in Women's Health 383 -- K. Fertility Abbreviations 386 -- L. Sniglets 392 -- M. Fertility-Related Resources 398 -- N. Recommended Books 404 -- O. To Physicians and Other Medical Professionals 407 -- Glossary 413 -- Bibliography 430 -- Index 443 -- Master Charts 459. This new edition for the twentieth anniversary of the groundbreaking national bestseller provides all the information you need to monitor your menstrual cycle—along with updated information on the latest reproductive technologies Are you unhappy with your current method of birth control? Or demoralized by your quest to have a baby? Do you experience confusing signs and symptoms at various times in your cycle? This invaluable resource provides the answers to your questions while giving you amazing insights into your body. Taking Charge of Your Fertility has helped literally hundreds of thousands of women avoid pregnancy naturally, maximize their chances of getting pregnant, or simply gain better control of their gynecological and sexual health. Toni Weschler thoroughly explains the empowering Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), which in only a couple of minutes a day allows you to: Enjoy highly effective and scientifically proven birth control without chemicals or devices Maximize your chances of conception before you see a doctor or resort to invasive high-tech options Expedite your fertility treatment by quickly identifying impediments to pregnancy achievement Gain control and a true understanding of your gynecological and sexual health This new edition includes: A fully revised and intuitive charting system A selection of personalized master charts for birth control, pregnancy achievement, breastfeeding, and menopause An expanded sixteen-page color insert that reflects the book's most important concepts Six brand-new chapters on topics including balancing hormones naturally, preserving your future fertility, and three medical conditions all women should be aware of *The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health* The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). Fertility Awarenes simply means of understanding human reproduction. It is based on the observation and charting of scientifically proven fertility signs that determine whether or not a woman is fertile on any given day. The three primary fertility signs are waking temperature, cervical fluid, and cervical position (the last one being an op-tional sign that simply corroborates the first two). FAM is an empowering method of natural birth control or pregnancy achievement, and it is an excellent tool for assessing gynecological problems and understanding your body. How often have you heard that a menstrual cycle should be 28 days and that ovulation usually occurs on Day 14?