I want to shout this from the rooftops!
When I was first researching Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness Methods as a 21-year-old single, 99% of all blog posts I read were either targeted at married couples or newly engaged couples.
And I didn’t fit into either of those categories. Because of that, I wasn’t sure if I should start charting or wait until I got engaged someday.
As I read article upon article, I somehow learned about the book “Cycles and Spirituality” by Alison Protz, which is written for Catholic teens.
Well, I wasn’t a Catholic nor a teen, but I figured that book would be better suited for my life stage anywho. So I ordered it and when it came in the mail I read it in about a day.
And let me just tell you,
I. Loved. That. Book!
I learned how to chart and what healthy cycles look like. She taught me what cervical mucus is and how to take my basal body temperature. Additionally, I discovered how to accurately predict my period- which is so useful!
The book was a workbook with practice charts and example scenarios for me to work through. This gave me the confidence to start charting my cycle immediately. She also includes a chart that you can copy in a copier- so I made several copies of that and stuck them in a binder so I could learn how to chart.
(Eventually, I switched to the free version of the Kindara app, and now that I’m married I use the Read Your Body app.)
“Taking Charge of Your Fertility” by Toni Weschler is often pushed as the first charting book you should read- and if you’re engaged or married I agree with that recommendation
BUT if you’re single and you want to learn how to chart without having to learn the birth control rules, then “Cycles and Spirituality” is the book you should start with 😊
Or, if you want to learn more about what charting even is before you buy a book, grab your free copy of “Cycle Charting 101”
If you’re wondering “Why should I chart as a single?”, keep reading!
Or, if you prefer listening- tune into this week’s Coffee With Kara episode!
1. Charting your cycle gives you insight into your body’s 5th vital sign
Your reproductive system says so much about your overall health. It’s connected to your hormones, your gut, and many other of your body’s systems.
Charting your cycle can give you insight into your overall health.
I have friends with PCOS and endometriosis and their doctors wanted them to learn how to chart so they could see what was happening in their bodies from month to month.
2. Charting your cycle provides you with increased body literacy
Before I started charting I had no clue what cervical mucus was. I thought something was wrong with me when I saw the clear fluid each month!
Charting has taught me more about my body than I learned in high school anatomy class. (Disclaimer: I sat behind Caleb, my now husband, during that class, so it’s safe to say I was probably a little distracted LOL!)
3. Charting your cycles gives you accurate period prediction
Daily charting your basal body temperature and cervical mucus is different than inputting your period start date in an app.
YOU are interpreting real-time data.
When I was learning how to chart, the first time I was able to count ahead and think “I’ll probably start on Tuesday” and was right BLEW MY MIND!
Period prediction apps were never accurate for me since my cycle fluctuates in length each month (which is normal).
Because of that, learning how to predict it based upon my fertile signs felt so cool and empowering!
How does this work?
Well, your luteal phase is always the same length. So once you learn how to identify the start of your luteal phase you can accurately predict your period!
Bonus: Eventually you can learn to chart for non-hormonal birth control
From the research I’ve done on it, I don’t want to use hormonal birth control. I think it’s bad for my health to shut off an entire system of my body. Additionally, the abortive-back up that nearly all hormonal birth control methods have wasn’t something I could get on board with morally.
So before Caleb and I got engaged, I told him that I don’t want to ever use hormonal birth control. I asked him if he was okay with that.
He was, and that was the last big conversation I needed to have with him before I was sure that I was ready for engagement!
So once we did get engaged, I started paying closer attention to my cycles. I re-read “Taking Charge of Your Fertility.” Learning the rules for the sympto-thermal method of natural birth control was so much easier since I had already been charting for three years!
So someday if you decide you want to use a fertility awareness method as your birth control, you’ll be ready to learn the rules for your method!
Got questions?
Ask in a comment or DM me on Instagram!
Speaking of Instagram, I chat about cycles and periods daily on my account- @faithfilledfertility. If these topics interest you, come follow along!
