What are FAB methods?
FAB methods help people understand how to prevent a pregnancy by not having sex during the fertile time. There are many different methods (like the Standard Days Method®, Calendar Rhythm Method, Cervical Mucous, Basal Body Temperature, TwoDay Method®, and Symptothermal Method).
With FAB methods, a person:
- identifies the most likely time to get pregnant (fertile time)
- must not have sex (abstain) or use another method of birth control during the fertile time
- needs one-to-one training to know how to use the methods the right way
How well do FAB methods work to prevent pregnancy?
- There’s about an 85% chance of getting pregnant after 1 year of having unprotected sex.
- How well FAB methods work is hard to estimate. With typical use (not following exact directions) the pregnancy rate is about 24% after 1 year.
- FAB methods don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
- Use a condom
every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, anal) to lower your risk of STIs and HIV.
FAB methods may
not work and aren’t recommended if you:
- have periods that aren’t regular
- have recently had a baby
- have conditions or factors that affect body temperature (like fever, trouble sleeping, and shift work)
- have just started having periods
- are breastfeeding
- are getting close to menopause
- have recently stopped a hormonal method of birth control
- have a lot of vaginal infections, which makes it hard to track your cervical mucous
Don’t use FAB methods if a pregnancy would:
- be hard for you
- put your health at risk because of a medical problem
Talk to your health care provider to decide if FAB methods are right for you.
What are the benefits of FAB methods?
- There are no added hormones.
- You don’t need any birth control supplies except a basal thermometer and a way to keep track of your information (like monthly charts or a calendar). FAB methods may work well if you have certain personal, religious, or cultural beliefs about birth control.
What are the disadvantages of FAB methods?
- You have to keep track
every day so you know exactly where you’re at in your cycle.
- To use these FAB methods you need to have good communication with your partner. You’ll need to talk about being abstinent or using a barrier method of birth control (like a condom) during fertile times.
Where can I get more information?
If you’re interested in FAB methods, contact the organizations below for teaching and support:
What else do I need to know about FAB methods?
- Get emergency contraception as soon as possible to help prevent pregnancy if you think you haven't followed FAB methods correctly.
- Fertility monitors (like ovulation predictor kits and electronic hormonal fertility monitors) can be used to improve FAB methods.
- FAB methods can also be used to help you get pregnant.
What else is important to know about consent, sexual activity, and birth control?
- You have the right to decide to have sex or not. Talk with your partner or partners about consent.
- There’s an 85% chance of becoming pregnant within one year, if no birth control is used for vaginal sex.
- Use a condom or barrier every time you have sex (oral, vaginal, anal). Condoms help prevent pregnancy, STIs, and HIV.
- You can lower your risk of HIV by taking an HIV prevention pill every day. Many Albertans can get it for free. Visit
HIV PrEP to find out more.
- Transgender and gender diverse people who have a uterus can use hormonal birth control. It can help prevent pregnancy and make periods lighter and less painful.
Where can I find more information?
If you have questions, need to find a sexual health clinic near you, or want more information, call Health Link at 811 anytime, day or night, to talk to a registered nurse.
