Introduction to the fixed-day method

The fixed-day method is based on established research in reproductive physiology and on statistical analyzes. The fertile window (the days of the menstrual cycle during which a person may become pregnant) begins about five days before ovulation and lasts up to 24 hours after ovulation. This is because sperm remain viable in the female reproductive system for up to five days and the egg can be fertilized up to 24 hours after ovulation. As a result, the fertile window lasts about 6 days per cycle.

However, during a given cycle, the potential fertile days may vary due to the fact that the exact moment of ovulation may vary from cycle to cycle. Ovulation typically occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle (+/- 3 days).

Researchers at the Institute for Reproductive Health identified this expanded potential fertile window using computer simulation that took into account the probability of pregnancy, the probability of ovulation occurring at different days in the cycle, and the variability in cycle length from woman to woman and cycle to cycle. cycle. Their analysis revealed that avoiding unprotected sex on days 8-19 of the cycle offered maximum protection against pregnancy while minimizing the number of days needed to avoid unprotected sex.

People with menstrual cycles of 26 to 32 days can use CycleM and the fixed-day method to prevent pregnancy by avoiding unprotected sex during the 12 fertile days identified by the method, on days 8 to 19 of the cycle.

Efficacy of the fixed-day method

In efficacy studies conducted in several countries, the researchers found that the fixed-day method was more than 95% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly and 88% effective with typical use. This means that when the family planning method is used correctly, fewer than 5 in 100 people who follow their cycles consistently and do not have unprotected sex on days 8 to 19 of the cycle will become pregnant during the first year of the fixed-day method. In typical use, when the method is sometimes used incorrectly or inconsistently, 12 out of 100 people will become pregnant.

To read the original research article, click here: Effectiveness of a new family planning method: the fixed-day method. Based on this research, CycleM compares favorably with other contraceptive options both in terms of correct use efficiency and typical use efficiency

Implications for the use of this natural family planning option, If a person does not want to become pregnant, they must use a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, or not have sex on days 8 to 19 of the cycle. On the other hand, if a person wants to become pregnant, those are the days when pregnancy is most likely. The CycleM platform and its mobile applications, USSD and SMS are based on the fixed-day method to allow correct and efficient use of this method.

Efficacy of the fixed-day method

CycleM uses the fixed-day method and is almost 95% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly and 88% effective with typical use. This means that when used correctly, fewer than 5 in 100 people who follow their cycles consistently and do not have unprotected sex on days 8 to 19 of the cycle will become pregnant during the first year of use. When it is sometimes used incorrectly or inconsistently, 12 out of 100 people will become pregnant.

What about other ways to prevent pregnancy?

There are other methods based on fertility knowledge that can be used to prevent pregnancy. These methods usually require monitoring of fertility symptoms, particularly cervical mucus and basal body temperature. These methods are effective with correct and consistent use, but less effective with typical use. They also require daily action and usually require a course from a certified method instructor.

The fixed-day method and the necklaces of the cycle have been designed to facilitate awareness of fertility. They eliminate subjective observations and detailed follow-up, which can be subject to error. The method has been designed to be easy to teach and use so that it can be used immediately without prolonged training.