cycle charting

The practice of observing, recording & interpreting bodily signs associated with the menstrual cycle. These signs include waking body temperature taken orally under the tongue every morning & cervical fluid observed on toilet paper after wiping across the vaginal opening. These signs are recorded in a simple chart - hence why this practice is often called cycle charting.

Cycle charting can yield health insights & allow people who menstruate to identify the days during their cycle when unprotected sex could lead to pregnancy. If they're trying to avoid pregnancy they can use barriers (condoms or a diaphragm) on those days & enjoy deliciously natural sex on all other days of their cycle. This is called the sympto-thermal fertility awareness method. It's 99.6% effective with perfect use & is *not* the same as the old-fashioned calendar rhythm method. It's currently being embraced by lots of crunchy people who aren't wanting to use hormonal contraception. It's secular & pro-choice.

Cycle charting is also not the same as period tracking. Period tracking is simply noting the days of menstruation. This information can be used to guesstimate approximately when your next period might be due but it can't give insights into your overall cycle nor can it be used to avoid pregnancy effectively.

Since coming off the pill I've become totally obsessed with cycle charting! I love being more in touch with my body and being able to avoid pregnancy without having to use condoms every day of my cycle.