Curious about the Standard Days Method of NFP

[Diotima]

I am currently using the Billings method to avoid. In the Billings method, the presence of any cervical fluid (or even just “wet,” “slippery” sensations) requires abstinence. Because of the stringent rules, we have been intimate only a handful of times since our 15-month-old was born. I even weaned him a week ago in hopes that the charts would become normal and my body would stop making so much fluid–but so far, it hasn’t helped.

So I want to switch methods. Problem is, the sympto-thermal method wasn’t much better (my temps were all over the place), Creighton is supposed to be similar to Billings (so I don’t see how that would be better either), and there are no Marquette instructors in my city.

I talked to my doctor about my NFP difficulties, and she said that since my cycles are always 27 to 30 days long, I might be a good candidate for the Standard Days method. I looked into it, and there is actually some research backing it up:

cyclebeads.com/research

Of course, it doesn’t work if you have irregular cycles, short luteal phase, etc., but I don’t think any of those things apply to me. It does require a lot of abstinence, but it’s better than NOTHING, which is what we’ve got now.

Does anyone have any experiences with this method?

 

[NFPWife]

Of course, it doesn’t work if you have irregular cycles, short luteal phase, etc.,

As an NFP promoter and teacher, I never recommend the Standard Day Method. You’ve already outlined the reasons (above.) My opinion on their research is that it’s highly skewed because only women with “typical” cycles were included in their research. To me, the standard day method looks a lot like the calendar method put onto some beads. (Do they think Catholic women will go for it if they make it resemble a Rosary??)

If you’re finding other methods too challenging, the standard day method is fine if you don’t expect a high degree of efficacy. Women used the calendar method for generations, many with moderate to high levels of success in avoiding pregnancy.

One thing to note, the Marquette Method (the method we practice) has an online learning component.

One question, are you able to confirm peak with the Billings Method? Once you confirm peak, the entire luteal phase should be available. If you’re saying you have a “normal” length luteal phase, I can’t put together how those days aren’t “usable.” A typical luteal phase is 11-16 days past peak. If yours is typical, you should have those days at your disposal.

 

[7armyrugrats]

It is what my mom used. She had six children in 18 years, and planned all of us to be born exactly when she wanted us. The first four are all close in age, and then she has a seven year gap between those four and me. My younger brother was born two years after me. It worked very well for her. My parents initially wanted 10 kids when they married. After the first four their finances were unable to feed more so mom went back to work and they saved up until they could afford more. Of course not many methods were available in the 60’s and 70’s so I’m not sure if she would have used anything else if she could have. Probably she wouldn’t though because it worked so well for her. It was the method she taught to me long before it was necessary for me to use anything, she just felt it was important information to have. That way I could learn to track my cycle and understand why my stomach cramps were so horrible two weeks before I would start. It meant I was ovulating. I realize it does not work for everyone and it isn’t very scientific, but for someone with very steady regular cycles it is highly effective. All you need is a calendar to mark you days, no other charts/devices necessary. Mom used the kitchen calendar. I remember her writing NO in red ink on the days in the middle of the month and thinking that it was her way of telling us not to ask her for anything. I remember clearly the day I realized what it was she really meant by that and wishing I could unthink that realization. My mom was 28 days like clockwork, never changing. She knew exactly when each if us were conceived. If you are like that, I would at least try it. Not nearly as much unnecessary abstinence.

 

[agapewolf]

I am currently using the Billings method to avoid. In the Billings method, the presence of any cervical fluid (or even just “wet,” “slippery” sensations) requires abstinence. Because of the stringent rules, we have been intimate only a handful of times since our 15-month-old was born. I even weaned him a week ago in hopes that the charts would become normal and my body would stop making so much fluid–but so far, it hasn’t helped.

So I want to switch methods. Problem is, the sympto-thermal method wasn’t much better (my temps were all over the place), Creighton is supposed to be similar to Billings (so I don’t see how that would be better either), and there are no Marquette instructors in my city.

I talked to my doctor about my NFP difficulties, and she said that since my cycles are always 27 to 30 days long, I might be a good candidate for the Standard Days method. I looked into it, and there is actually some research backing it up:

cyclebeads.com/research

Of course, it doesn’t work if you have irregular cycles, short luteal phase, etc., but I don’t think any of those things apply to me. It does require a lot of abstinence, but it’s better than NOTHING, which is what we’ve got now.

Does anyone have any experiences with this method?

Actually, Creighton can be way better for you. Creighton looks at very specific details of cm, beyond fertile and infertile-- to possibly tell if there are health issues, or a condition that is causing constant mucous, etc.

 

[UnCatholicBride]

What were you using to track your temps (paper or software?) I highly recommend the Fertility Friend website- out of all of the free software available, it really does the best job of p(name removed by moderator)ointing ovulation and predicting your future cycles. Since you say you’ve got regular cycles, it would surprise me if you were not ovulating.

I’m not a huge Creighton fan as a stand-alone method- but they do discuss the cervical mucous patterns in much more depth than just about any other NFP program. If you combine the in-depth analysis of your cervical mucous with charting your temps on F.F. I think you might actually be able to see the pattern after a couple of months.

Throw in some ovulation prediction strips (you can get them much cheaper than the Clear Blue Easy ones if you look on amazon) once you know your typical cycle, and you’ll be golden!

 

[The_Bucket]

Yeah you might want to investigate methods that include provisions for the basic infertile pattern (BIP) that isn’t all just dry. STM, Creighton, etc.

 

[Xantippe]

You’ve weaned so recently that I wouldn’t expect any results yet. If you can, give it another two months of Billings for things to straighten out.

Weaning is actually a TERRIBLE time to shift to the Standard Days Method, as I would expect that you are going to have a couple months of hormonal weirdness.

Best wishes!

 

[The_Bucket]

Yeah, as far as I’ve experienced, there’s basically nothing you can do as far as making everything come back online as it was pre-pregnancy.

My younger daughter’s 11 months old and nurses only 2-3 times a day… wife’s cycle still hasn’t returns. FUN TIMES FOR ME!

Well, I mean there was the 8 months of pregnancy (when my wife wasn’t feeling too icky) and the 5 postpartum months of LAM (I’m subtracting the first 4-6 weeks after c-section for obvious reasons) so maybe I shouldn’t complain too much.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

Actually, Creighton can be way better for you. Creighton looks at very specific details of cm, beyond fertile and infertile-- to possibly tell if there are health issues, or a condition that is causing constant mucous, etc.

I agree! I learned Creighton post partum, while I was nursing. It is very similar to Billings, that the chart is almost the same. I think Billings is adequate when there aren’t any health issues, Creighton is more specific in dealing with types of mucus, and what they mean.

 

[Maine52]

I am currently using the Billings method to avoid. In the Billings method, the presence of any cervical fluid (or even just “wet,” “slippery” sensations) requires abstinence. Because of the stringent rules, we have been intimate only a handful of times since our 15-month-old was born. I even weaned him a week ago in hopes that the charts would become normal and my body would stop making so much fluid–but so far, it hasn’t helped.

So I want to switch methods. Problem is, the sympto-thermal method wasn’t much better (my temps were all over the place), Creighton is supposed to be similar to Billings (so I don’t see how that would be better either), and there are no Marquette instructors in my city.

I talked to my doctor about my NFP difficulties, and she said that since my cycles are always 27 to 30 days long, I might be a good candidate for the Standard Days method. I looked into it, and there is actually some research backing it up:

cyclebeads.com/research

Of course, it doesn’t work if you have irregular cycles, short luteal phase, etc., but I don’t think any of those things apply to me. It does require a lot of abstinence, but it’s better than NOTHING, which is what we’ve got now.

Does anyone have any experiences with this method?

I don’t know about the Standard Days Method, but I want you to be aware that you can learn about and use Marquette through an online system even if there are no instructors in your area. I personally like the method, use the online system, and have never seen an in-person instructor, as there are none in my area either.

 

[1ke]

standard days = no way

I don’t see why anyone would with a serious reason to avoid would use this method. It is calendar rhythm under a new name.

I know post partum cycle/fertility signs can be frustrating, but switching to SD is no answer.

 

[Diotima]

I don’t know about the Standard Days Method, but I want you to be aware that you can learn about and use Marquette through an online system even if there are no instructors in your area. I personally like the method, use the online system, and have never seen an in-person instructor, as there are none in my area either.

Thank you, that is very helpful. Do you have to pay for the online system? Do you get to email/chat with an instructor?

Weaning is actually a TERRIBLE time to shift to the Standard Days Method, as I would expect that you are going to have a couple months of hormonal weirdness.

Thank you, Xanthippe. I wasn’t aware that weaning might disrupt my cycles, since they have been regular for a few months now. So I guess it’s not a good time to switch methods . . . I’ll just try to be patient!

Actually, Creighton can be way better for you. Creighton looks at very specific details of cm, beyond fertile and infertile-- to possibly tell if there are health issues, or a condition that is causing constant mucous, etc.

Thank you AgapeWolf, Mary Gail, Bucket, and the others who commented on Creighton. I suppose it might be a better method if it doesn’t just assume that all mucus is fertile mucus. I am just so tired of trying to learn different methods, and Standard Days sounded so easy . . .

What were you using to track your temps (paper or software?) I highly recommend the Fertility Friend website- out of all of the free software available, it really does the best job of p(name removed by moderator)ointing ovulation and predicting your future cycles. Since you say you’ve got regular cycles, it would surprise me if you were not ovulating.

I just used the paper charts in Sheila Kippley’s book. Does the Fertility Friend software only use temperatures, or does it use other data points as well?

One question, are you able to confirm peak with the Billings Method? Once you confirm peak, the entire luteal phase should be available. If you’re saying you have a “normal” length luteal phase, I can’t put together how those days aren’t “usable.” A typical luteal phase is 11-16 days past peak. If yours is typical, you should have those days at your disposal.

I confirmed peak on the last cycle, but the luteal phase was not available because it was not dry enough.

 

[Xantippe]

Diotima said:

“Thank you, Xanthippe. I wasn’t aware that weaning might disrupt my cycles, since they have been regular for a few months now. So I guess it’s not a good time to switch methods . . . I’ll just try to be patient!”

I don’t know for sure, but it is a transitional time, and if there were going to be any anomalies, that’s when I would expect them.

 

[Diotima]

It is what my mom used. She had six children in 18 years, and planned all of us to be born exactly when she wanted us. The first four are all close in age, and then she has a seven year gap between those four and me. My younger brother was born two years after me. It worked very well for her. My parents initially wanted 10 kids when they married. After the first four their finances were unable to feed more so mom went back to work and they saved up until they could afford more. Of course not many methods were available in the 60’s and 70’s so I’m not sure if she would have used anything else if she could have. Probably she wouldn’t though because it worked so well for her. It was the method she taught to me long before it was necessary for me to use anything, she just felt it was important information to have. That way I could learn to track my cycle and understand why my stomach cramps were so horrible two weeks before I would start. It meant I was ovulating. I realize it does not work for everyone and it isn’t very scientific, but for someone with very steady regular cycles it is highly effective. All you need is a calendar to mark you days, no other charts/devices necessary. Mom used the kitchen calendar. I remember her writing NO in red ink on the days in the middle of the month and thinking that it was her way of telling us not to ask her for anything. I remember clearly the day I realized what it was she really meant by that and wishing I could unthink that realization. My mom was 28 days like clockwork, never changing. She knew exactly when each if us were conceived. If you are like that, I would at least try it. Not nearly as much unnecessary abstinence.

Thank you for that story. A lot of people malign the “bad old days” of the rhythm method, but it must have worked for some people, or else they wouldn’t have bothered with it!

 

[NFPWife]

I confirmed peak on the last cycle, but the luteal phase was not available because it was not dry enough.

Whichever system you land with, Xantippe is correct. Weaning is a major transition and your fertility and cycles can be impacted.

To this confirmation of peak, were you instructed in the Billings method by a local instructor you can contact? Once peak is confirmed, with the shift to dry or not slippery (and you’re confident it was peak) the following days don’t have to be dry. You’ll have wetness from intercourse that isn’t treated in the manner of the BIP prior to peak. You’ll also have the thinning of the cervical mucus prior to menstruation and you’ll notice some wetness or “not dry” then; often with a few strings to it. I think this is a good situation for a chart review and some extra support.

If you switch methods, you’ll want support as well. This is a tricky time.

 

[rjg99a]

Ok, I am not very familiar with the Creighton or Billings method, but I have been charting my cycles for years on Fertility Friend.

Honestly, I would NOT suggest using a “standard days” method. Even if your cycles are mostly regular within a few days, your ovulatory or lutual phases may not be textbook still. I know for me, before my daughter, my lutual phase was typically 14 days. After weaning, it extended to 16 days. Had I been using some sort of “standard days” calendar, I would have mis-judged my ovulation day.

Pardon me if this is a dumb question, as I don’t know exactly what Billings teaches, but there are different kinds of cervical mucus - does Billings teach which kind are fertile and which aren’t? I know for myself, I can have some sort of cervical mucus for over a week and a half before I actually ovulate. That would be a lot of days of unnecessary abstaining!

Do you use opks?

 

[rjg99a]

Does the Fertility Friend software only use temperatures, or does it use other data points as well?

Fertility Friend uses temperatures, cervical mucus, cervical position, and opks. You can also use saliva/ferning detectors, if you use those. You don’t have to do all the methods at once, but the more you (name removed by moderator)ut, the more accurate your charts can be. When I first started using FF, I temped, charted mucus and used opks. After awhile, I gave up on temping and just charted mucus and opks.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Pardon me if this is a dumb question, as I don’t know exactly what Billings teaches, but there are different kinds of cervical mucus - does Billings teach which kind are fertile and which aren’t?

It does. My instructor was very keen on showing me pictures of all types of mucous so I can learn to tell it apart.

 

[Diotima]

It does. My instructor was very keen on showing me pictures of all types of mucous so I can learn to tell it apart.

That’s interesting. My instructor specifically told me not to inspect it, and to put a white baby sticker for any mucus observed. I wonder if there is a lot of individual variation in how Billings is taught.

 

[NFPWife]

That’s interesting. My instructor specifically told me not to inspect it, and to put a white baby sticker for any mucus observed. I wonder if there is a lot of individual variation in how Billings is taught.

Here’s what’s typically done in Billings, the difference between fertile and infertile mucus is taught during general instruction. For the first three cycles putting a white baby for any observed mucus PRIOR to peak is the standard. After that, the woman starts differentiating between fertile and infertile mucus and charting accordingly.

Diotima, have you considered adding an additional confirmation of peak like an OTC urine ovulation predictor (if you have a Dollar Tree near you, they’re $1 a piece there) or checking your saliva for ferning? I think that could give you peace of mind that you’ve confirmed peak and, once confirmed, you could use all the days post peak.