Are you tired of the pill and its hormones? Are you looking for a natural contraception that's truly reliable? Symptothermal method has an effectiveness rate of 98,2% according to the WHO., comparable to the contraceptive pill (93% in current use). But unlike it, symptothermal method does not contain any hormones, has no side effects and teaches you to understand your body.
The principle? Observe two fertility indicators daily: your basal temperature upon waking and the appearance of your cervical mucus. By combining these two data, you can accurately determine your fertile days (when you should protect yourself) and your infertile days (when you are not likely to get pregnant). The method works both to avoid pregnancy and to maximize your chances of conceiving.
⚡ The essentials to remember
What Exactly Is Symptothermal Method?
Symptothermal method is a contraction of "sympto" (for symptoms, meaning signs of fertility) and "thermia" (for temperature). It is a method of observing the menstrual cycle that combines two physiological indicators to accurately determine fertile and infertile periods.
Unlike older methods such as the Ogino (calendar method) or the temperature-only method, symptothermal analysis uses the principle of double control. By combining two independent biomarkers, it offers much greater reliability.
The two pillars of symptothermal method
1. Basal temperature (thermia) : Your body temperature upon waking, before any activity. It increases by 0,2 to 0,5°C after ovulation due to progesterone. This increase confirms that ovulation has occurred.
2. Cervical mucus (symptom) : The secretions produced by your cervix. Their appearance changes throughout the cycle: dry at the beginning of the cycle, then increasingly abundant, transparent and stringy as ovulation approaches (like egg white), before becoming thick and opaque again afterwards.
Some women add a third indicator: the position and texture of the cervix. The cervix becomes higher, softer, and more open during the fertile period. But this indicator is optional; the first two are sufficient.
Symptothermal Method and Contraception: Proven Effectiveness
We said it in the introduction, but it's so important that we'll repeat it: symptothermal method is not a rough and ready method. Its effectiveness has been scientifically validated by several rigorous studies.
The benchmark study, published in 2007 in Human Reproduction, followed 900 German women over 17,638 cycles. The results are clear: with perfect use (total abstinence during the fertile period), the Pearl Index is 0,4. With typical use (use of condoms during the fertile period), it rises to 1,8 over 13 cycles.
💡 What this means in concrete terms : Out of 100 women using symptothermal method correctly for 1 year, fewer than 2 will get pregnant. It is comparable to the IUD and much better than the pill in actual use.
Please note: These figures only apply to users trained in the method. Self-teaching without support can significantly reduce effectiveness.
How It Works: The 4-Phase Cycle
To understand symptothermal method, you first need to understand how your menstrual cycle works. A typical 28-day cycle is broken down into several phases, but for symptothermal method, we think more in terms of fertility.
The principle of symptothermal method is that you are fertile from the appearance of cervical mucus (usually 5-6 days before ovulation) until 3 days after the temperature rise that confirms ovulation. The rest of the time, you are infertile.
Symptothermal Method for Getting Pregnant
While symptothermal method is best known as a natural method of contraception, it's equally effective at maximizing your chances of conceiving. By pinpointing your fertility window, you know exactly when to have intercourse to maximize your chances of pregnancy.
How to use symptothermal method in baby planning
Your most fertile days are:
The day of the peak of mucus : When it is most stringy, transparent and abundant (like raw egg white)
2-3 days before the peak : When the mucus becomes stringy and you feel a sensation of humidity
The day after the peak : Just before the temperature rises
The advantage of symptothermal method over ovulation tests? It costs nothing once you have your thermometer, and it gives you a comprehensive view of your cycle that can help identify potential fertility problems (anovulatory cycles, short luteal phase, etc.).
The Materials Needed: Thermometer and App
Symptothermal method requires almost no hardware investment. Here's what you need to get started.
1. A basal thermometer (€15-30)
Essential criterion : It must display 2 decimal places (e.g. 36,78°C and not 36,8°C). Accuracy is crucial because temperature variations are minimal.
Available types :
- Classic digital basal thermometer (the most economical, €10-15)
- Connected thermometer type Femometer, Oura (automatic synchronization with the app, €30-80)
- Gallium thermometer (more accurate but more expensive and takes a long time to read, €20-30)
2. An application or a paper chart
To record your daily observations and view your symptothermal curve.
Recommended applications :
- Symptoms (free for 30 days then paid, rigorous Sensiplan method)
- moonly (intuitive interface, guided learning)
- Read Your Body (based on the American textbook method)
- myNFP (very complete, German)
⚠️ Important : Not all cycle tracking apps are suitable for symptothermal method. Avoid apps that "predict" your ovulation without actual observation (Flo, Clue in free mode, etc.). They are not reliable for contraception.
3. Optional: Connected bracelet or symptothermal device
New devices automate temperature taking during the night:
- Ava (bracelet that measures several parameters, €200-300)
- temp drop (temperature sensor to be worn on the arm, €150)
- OvuSense (vaginal sensor, very precise but intrusive, €200)
These devices can make the practice easier but are absolutely not essential. A simple €15 thermometer is more than enough.
How to Practice Symptothermal Methods Daily
Let's get practical. Here's how to incorporate symptothermal method into your daily routine, step by step.
The Morning Ritual (2 minutes)
Step 1: Take your temperature
As soon as you wake up, BEFORE getting up, speaking, or moving. Place the thermometer under your tongue or in your vagina (more accurate). Wait for the beep. Record the temperature in your app or on your chart.
Step 2: Observe your mucus
In the bathroom, check the appearance of your mucus (at the entrance to the vagina or on toilet paper). Note its color, texture, quantity, and sensation (dry, moist, wet, lubricated).
That's it. Two simple steps that take less than 2 minutes. In the evening, record your observations on your symptothermal chart if you didn't do so in the morning.
🚫 The golden rules for a reliable temperature
- Take it at a fixed time (± 30 min tolerance)
- After at least 3 hours of consecutive sleep
- Before any activity (getting up, talking, eating, drinking)
- Always in the same place (mouth OR vagina, don't change)
- Note any disruptions (alcohol, illness, late bedtimes, stress)
How to Learn Symptothermal Method (Training)
It can't be stressed enough: symptothermal method is something you learn. You can't just start out by reading an article (even this one) and expect to achieve the same 98,2% effectiveness as advertised. The studies that validate this effectiveness involve trained users.
It usually takes 3 to 6 cycles to fully master the method. During this time, you should continue to use your usual contraception or condoms.
The different options for training
Training with a certified instructor (recommended)
Price: €150-300 for 3 to 5 personalized support sessions over several cycles. The instructor analyzes your curves, answers your questions, and corrects you if necessary. This is the safest option.
Where to find an instructor: Serena Quebec, Eden Fertility, symptothermie.pro, Magic Ovaries
Free online training
Some organizations offer free online learning modules. These are less personalized but accessible to everyone.
Examples: Sympto (30 days free with tutorial), Seréna Québec (free resources)
Reference books
For rigorous self-learners. Be careful: a book alone is not enough; you must supplement it with an application that verifies your interpretations.
Recommended books
- Female cycle and natural contraception by Audrey Guillemaud
- Complete symptothermal method (free manual from the Sympto Foundation)
- Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler (English reference)
Workshops and discussion groups
Some associations organize group workshops that are less expensive than individual consultations (€50-100). You learn in a group and share your experiences.
If you want to become a symptothermal method trainer, you should know that there are certified training courses (Seréna, Eden Fertilité, Sensiplan) which generally last 6 to 12 months and cost between €1500 and €3000.
Comfortable Protection During Your Period
Whether you practice symptothermal method or not, our Period Panties offer you reliable and ecological protection to experience your period peacefully.
Symptothermal Curve: Understanding and Interpreting
The symptothermal chart is your primary visualization tool. It allows you to see at a glance where you are in your cycle and whether you are fertile or infertile.
A typical curve looks like this: in the first part of the cycle (follicular phase), the temperature is low and relatively stable. Then, suddenly, it rises by 0,2 to 0,5°C and remains high until the next period. This rise confirms that ovulation has occurred.
The 3 basic rules for interpreting your curve
Rule 1: Start of the fertile phase
You become fertile from the first day you observe cervical mucus (regardless of its quality). This is the warning signal: protection is necessary from that moment on.
Rule 2: Mucus peak
The last day when your mucus is very stringy, clear, and abundant is called "peak mucus." Ovulation usually occurs within 24-48 hours.
Rule 3: End of the fertile phase
You become infertile again on the evening of the 3rd consecutive day of high temperature AFTER the mucus peak. This is the rule of double checking: mucus + temperature must confirm the end of fertility.
In symptothermal method for pregnancy, the curve also allows you to identify possible problems: anovulatory cycles (no rise in temperature = no ovulation), luteal phase too short (less than 10 days between ovulation and menstruation = possible progesterone deficiency), etc.
Symptothermal Method: Advantages and Disadvantages
Like any contraceptive method, symptothermal method has its strengths and limitations. Here's an honest overview to help you decide if it's right for you.
✅ Benefits
❌ Disadvantages
Symptothermal Method and Special Situations
Can symptothermal method be used in all situations? Not always. Some contexts require adaptations or make the method less reliable.
Symptothermal method in breastfeeding
Yes, it's possible, but it's more complex. Breastfeeding suppresses ovulation for several months (lactational amenorrhea), then cycles gradually return, often chaotically at first.
How to do : Observe only cervical mucus at first (no temperature as it is disturbed). When you see fertile mucus, count 3 days after the peak before becoming infertile again. Specific training recommended.
Symptothermal method with irregular cycles (PCOS, etc.)
Yes, unlike calendar-based methods, symptothermal method works with irregular cycles. You observe what is happening in real time, not a prediction based on previous cycles.
The catch: The fertile window will be longer (because it is difficult to know when ovulation will occur), so more days of protection are needed. In women with severe PCOS, mucus may be constantly present, making interpretation very difficult.
Stopping the pill and symptothermal method
You can start symptothermal method as soon as you stop taking the pill, but expect irregular cycles for 3 to 6 months while your body returns to its natural rhythm.
Tip: Continue using condoms for the first 3 post-pill cycles, giving you time to observe how your new cycle works.
Pre-menopause and symptothermal method
Yes, symptothermal method is still relevant in premenopause. Cycles become irregular, but you can still ovulate. Monitoring allows you to determine whether you are still fertile or not. This is particularly useful for avoiding unwanted late-term pregnancy.
🌿 7 100% Natural Contraception Methods →
Symptothermal Method VS Other Natural Contraceptions
Symptothermal method isn't the only natural contraceptive method. How does it compare to others?
Symptothermal method is clearly the most reliable natural method thanks to its double control. Other methods based on a single indicator are more prone to error.
🚫 Hormone-Free Contraception Methods →
Symptothermal Method: User Reviews
The theory is all well and good, but what do women who practice symptothermal method on a daily basis think? The feedback is generally very positive, with a few nuances.
What users love
- Hormonal freedom : "I've got my libido back, my mood is stable, I no longer feel like a zombie on hormones."
- Knowledge of self : "I finally understand my body, I know why I have more or less energy depending on the time of my cycle."
- Autonomy : "I no longer depend on a doctor to renew a prescription or on a pharmacy"
- Efficiency : "It really works if you're rigorous, I have no fear of getting pregnant."
What they find difficult
- The constraint of waking up : "Having to set an alarm for 7am on Sunday morning is a pain."
- Learning : "The first 6 months, I was lost, I didn't understand anything about my curves."
- The period of abstinence : "10 days a month where we have to protect ourselves, sometimes the timing is bad."
- Lack of understanding : "My gynecologist thought I was crazy when I told him I was stopping the pill because of that."
The overall satisfaction rate is high: a German study shows that 91% of symptothermal method users say they are satisfied after 1 year of practice, compared to 68% for the pill.
Frequently Asked Questions About Symptothermal Method
Symptothermal Method, For Whom?
Symptothermal method is an ultra-effective (98,2%) natural contraceptive method that reconnects you with your body. It requires discipline, a learning curve of 3 to 6 cycles, and ideally training with a certified instructor. But in exchange, you get hormone-free, side-effect-free, free, and environmentally friendly contraception.
It is particularly suitable for women who want to regain control of their fertility, who have difficulty tolerating hormones, who are planning a baby in the short to medium term, or who are looking for a healthy alternative to traditional contraceptives. However, it requires the involvement of your partner and is not suitable if you are looking for a "zero effort" solution.
If you're unsure, start by observing your cycle for 2-3 months without using it as contraception. You'll see if you like the method and if you're ready to commit. And remember: training with a professional makes all the difference.
Sources & Scientific References
This article is based on scientific studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals.
- Frank-Herrmann P, et al. (2007). The effectiveness of a fertility awareness based method to avoid pregnancy in relation to a couple's sexual behavior during the fertile time: a prospective longitudinal study. Human Reproduction. DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dem003
- Freundl G, et al. (1988). Effectiveness and acceptability of the symptothermal method of natural family planning in Germany. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9378(11)90580-8
- Rice FJ, et al. (1981). Effectiveness of the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning: an international study. International Journal of Fertility. PMID: 6118343.
- Peters A, Mahdy H. (2023). Symptothermal Contraception. Stat Pearls. NCBI Bookshelf
- World Health Organization. Natural family planning methods: effectiveness and acceptability. WHO Technical Report Series.
- Smoley BA, Robinson CM. (2012). Natural family planning. American Family Physician. PMID: 23157145
Footnotes : DOI and PubMed links provide direct access to original scientific publications.
Medical Warning: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or training in symptothermal method. Consult a healthcare professional or certified instructor before using this method as contraception.
