CycleBeads

Last updated
A CycleBeads birth control chain, used for a rough estimate of fertility based on days since menstruation Geburtenkontrollkette.jpg
A CycleBeads birth control chain, used for a rough estimate of fertility based on days since menstruation

CycleBeads is a visual tool that was developed by the Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University. This device helps women use the Standard Days Method, a fertility awareness-based family planning method. The sole manufacturer is a US for-profit company, Cycle Technologies [1] .

Contents

The Standard Days Method is based on the fact that there is a fertile window during a woman's menstrual cycle which begins several days before ovulation and ends a few hours after ovulation. During this time a woman can become pregnant. The Standard Days Method identifies days 8-19 of cycle for women with cycles between 26 and 32 days long, as the potential fertile window. This formula is based on computer analysis of 7,500 menstrual cycles and takes into account cycle length, the timing of ovulation, the variation of the timing of ovulation from one cycle to the next, as well as the lifespan of the sperm and ovum. [2] To prevent pregnancy using the Standard Days Method and CycleBeads, users avoid unprotected sex by using a condom or abstaining during days 8-19 of the cycle.

How to Use

CycleBeads, a color-coded string of beads that represents the days of a woman's cycle, helps an individual use the Standard Days Method, by helping her track her cycle days. Starting the first day of her period, she moves a band to the red bead then to a new bead every day. The color of the bead lets her know if today is a day she is highly likely to be fertile or not. Couples use condoms or barrier methods to prevent pregnancy on fertile days.

An efficacy trial found that CycleBeads was more than 95% effective at preventing pregnancy with correct use and approximately 88% effective with typical use among women who reported recent cycles of 26–32 days. [3] While this is similar or better than the efficacy of most other Natural Family Planning methods. [4] it's perfect use is significantly less effective than many other modern birth control methods and Long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Women can use CycleBeads to plan pregnancy as well. Couples target those days where the bead colour indicates fertility is highest for intercourse to conceive a child.

Main Drawbacks

This method is not as effective for women who have cycles outside of the 26- to 32-day range. Women who are breastfeeding or have recently used contraceptive injections must wait before using CycleBeads. [5] Many natural family planning methods require male involvement. Efficacy, like all birth control, is highly dependent on continuing correct use. [6]

Considerations for Family Planning Programs

CycleBeads can be included in a wide variety of programs and offered by different levels of providers without significant additional resources. [7] It has the potential to expand contraceptive prevalence by bringing new users to family planning. [8] The method involves men and which gives programs an opportunity to develop strategies for reaching men with a variety of reproductive health messages. [9] CycleBeads are a low-cost, one-time purchase which can help address concerns about increasing costs for contraceptives. [10]

Additional Evidence

According to research studies, most women can learn to use CycleBeads in a single counseling session of about 20–30 minutes. [11] Almost all women who choose to use CycleBeads do so because it is "natural" and does not have side effects. [7] Follow up interviews with users and their partners found a high levels of satisfaction with the method among women and their partners. [7]

Origin

The original birth control necklace was invented in 1989 by the Austrian gynecologist Maria Hengstberger who developed this necklace together with local Ethiopian women and adapted it to their wishes and needs. [12] The newest and certainly most understandable model of this necklace is called "Baby Necklace", since the beads of the days of highest fertility have the shape of a baby. In 1995 the Necklace was taken over by the "Pastoral of the Child" in Brazil for joint use and further development and passed on to the Institute for Reproductive Health (IRH) at Georgetown University, for scientific research. In the form of "CycleBeads", developed and patented by IRH, the necklace is the basis of the "Standard Days Method", which has been spread worldwide by IRH. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emergency contraception</span> Birth control measures taken after sexual intercourse

Emergency contraception (EC) is a birth control measure, used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fertility awareness</span> Methods to determine menstrual phases

Fertility awareness (FA) refers to a set of practices used to determine the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. Fertility awareness methods may be used to avoid pregnancy, to achieve pregnancy, or as a way to monitor gynecological health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combined oral contraceptive pill</span> Birth control method which is taken orally

The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), often referred to as the birth control pill or colloquially as "the pill", is a type of birth control that is designed to be taken orally by women. It is the oral form of combined hormonal contraception. The pill contains two important hormones: a progestin and estrogen. When taken correctly, it alters the menstrual cycle to eliminate ovulation and prevent pregnancy.

The Pearl Index, also called the Pearl rate, is the most common technique used in clinical trials for reporting the effectiveness of a birth control method. It is a very approximate measure of the number of unintended pregnancies in 100 woman-years of exposure that is simple to calculate, but has a number of methodological deficiencies.

Calendar-based methods are various methods of estimating a woman's likelihood of fertility, based on a record of the length of previous menstrual cycles. Various methods are known as the Knaus–Ogino method and the rhythm method. The standard days method is also considered a calendar-based method, because when using it, a woman tracks the days of her menstrual cycle without observing her physical fertility signs. The standard days method is based on a fixed formula taking into consideration the timing of ovulation, the functional life of the sperm and the ovum, and the resulting likelihood of pregnancy on particular days of the menstrual cycle. These methods may be used to achieve pregnancy by timing unprotected intercourse for days identified as fertile, or to avoid pregnancy by avoiding unprotected intercourse during fertile days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menstrual cycle</span> Natural changes in the human female reproductive system

The menstrual cycle is a series of natural changes in hormone production and the structures of the uterus and ovaries of the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible. The ovarian cycle controls the production and release of eggs and the cyclic release of estrogen and progesterone. The uterine cycle governs the preparation and maintenance of the lining of the uterus (womb) to receive an embryo. These cycles are concurrent and coordinated, normally last between 21 and 35 days, with a median length of 28 days. Menarche usually occurs around the age of 12 years; menstrual cycles continue for about 30–45 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ovulation</span> Release of egg cells from the ovaries

Ovulation is an important part of the menstrual cycle in female vertebrates where the egg cells are released from the ovaries as part of the ovarian cycle. In human females ovulation typically occurs near the midpoint in the menstrual cycle and after the follicular phase. Ovulation is stimulated by an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH). The ovarian follicles rupture and release the secondary oocyte ovarian cells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hormonal intrauterine device</span> Intrauterine device

A hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), also known as an intrauterine system (IUS) with progestogen and sold under the brand name Mirena among others, is an intrauterine device that releases a progestogenic hormonal agent such as levonorgestrel into the uterus. It is used for birth control, heavy menstrual periods, and to prevent excessive build of the lining of the uterus in those on estrogen replacement therapy. It is one of the most effective forms of birth control with a one-year failure rate around 0.2%. The device is placed in the uterus and lasts three to eight years. Fertility often returns quickly following removal.

Natural family planning (NFP) comprises the family planning methods approved by the Catholic Church and some Protestant denominations for both achieving and postponing or avoiding pregnancy. In accordance with the Church's teachings regarding sexual behavior, NFP excludes the use of other methods of birth control, which it refers to as "artificial contraception".

Basal body temperature is the lowest body temperature attained during rest. It is usually estimated by a temperature measurement immediately after awakening and before any physical activity has been undertaken. This will lead to a somewhat higher value than the true BBT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lactational amenorrhea</span> Post-partum infertility due to breast feeding

Lactational amenorrhea, also called postpartum infertility, is the temporary postnatal infertility that occurs when a woman is amenorrheic and fully breastfeeding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hormonal contraception</span> Birth control methods that act on the endocrine system

Hormonal contraception refers to birth control methods that act on the endocrine system. Almost all methods are composed of steroid hormones, although in India one selective estrogen receptor modulator is marketed as a contraceptive. The original hormonal method—the combined oral contraceptive pill—was first marketed as a contraceptive in 1960. In the ensuing decades, many other delivery methods have been developed, although the oral and injectable methods are by far the most popular. Hormonal contraception is highly effective: when taken on the prescribed schedule, users of steroid hormone methods experience pregnancy rates of less than 1% per year. Perfect-use pregnancy rates for most hormonal contraceptives are usually around the 0.3% rate or less. Currently available methods can only be used by women; the development of a male hormonal contraceptive is an active research area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comparison of birth control methods</span>

There are many methods of birth control that vary in requirements, side effects, and effectiveness. As the technology, education, and awareness about contraception has evolved, new contraception methods have been theorized and put in application. Although no method of birth control is ideal for every user, some methods remain more effective, affordable or intrusive than others. Outlined here are the different types of barrier methods, hormonal methods, various methods including spermicides, emergency contraceptives, and surgical methods and a comparison between them.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are methods of birth control that provide effective contraception for an extended period without requiring user action. They include hormonal and non-hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal hormonal contraceptive implants. They are the most effective reversible methods of contraception because their efficacy is not reliant on patient compliance. The failure rates of IUDs and implants is less than 1% per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birth control</span> Method of preventing human pregnancy

Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth control only became available in the 20th century. Planning, making available, and using human birth control is called family planning. Some cultures limit or discourage access to birth control because they consider it to be morally, religiously, or politically undesirable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intrauterine device</span> Form of birth control involving a device placed in the uterus

An intrauterine device (IUD), also known as an intrauterine contraceptive device or coil, is a small, often T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are a form of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).

James Boyer Brown MSc (NZ) PhD (Edin) DSc (Edin) FRACOG, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne.

Women's reproductive health in the United States refers to the set of physical, mental, and social issues related to the health of women in the United States. It includes the rights of women in the United States to adequate sexual health, available contraception methods, and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. The prevalence of women's health issues in American culture is inspired by second-wave feminism in the United States. As a result of this movement, women of the United States began to question the largely male-dominated health care system and demanded a right to information on issues regarding their physiology and anatomy. The U.S. government has made significant strides to propose solutions, like creating the Women's Health Initiative through the Office of Research on Women's Health in 1991. However, many issues still exist related to the accessibility of reproductive healthcare as well as the stigma and controversy attached to sexual health, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Natural Cycles is a mobile app designed to help women track their fertility. The app predicts the days on which a woman is fertile and may be used for planning pregnancy and contraception. It was developed by scientist Elina Berglund, who founded the company with her husband, Raoul Scherwitzl.

The TwoDay Method is a Fertility awareness method used to either avoid or achieve pregnancy.

References

  1. Weis, Julianne; Festin, Mario (30 March 2020). "Implementation and Scale-Up of the Standard Days Method of Family Planning: A Landscape Analysis". Global Health, Science and Practice. 8 (1): 114–124. doi:10.9745/GHSP-D-19-00287. PMC   7108942 . PMID   32033980.
  2. M. Arevalo et al. "A fixed formula to define the fertile window of the menstrual cycle as the basis of a simple method of Natural Family Planning," Contraception 60 (1999);357-60.
  3. M. Arevalo et al. "Efficacy of a new method of family planning: the Standard Days Method," Contraception 65 (2002) 333-338.
  4. R. Hatcher, ed. et al. Contraceptive Technology, 18th edition, 2004
  5. J. Cachan and R. Lundgren. "Reference Guide for Counseling Clients in the SDM," 2003.
  6. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JYXUA8I4-tc/TEDEvt4oL1I/AAAAAAAAACA/pJ8UoLquhsU/s1600/CroppedEfficacyComparison.jpg [ bare URL image file ]
  7. 1 2 3 J. Gribble, et al. "Being strategic about Contraceptive Introduction: The Experience of the Standard Days Method", Contraception 77 (2008); 147-154.
  8. J. Gribble. "The Standard Days Method of Family Planning: A Response to Cairo," International Family Planning Perspectives 29 (2003).
  9. "Being Strategic about Contraceptive Introduction: The Experience of the Standard Days Method", Contraception 2008
  10. J. Gribble et al. "Mind the Gap: responding to the funding crisis in family planning," Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Care 30 (2004); 155-157.
  11. E. Pinto, et al. "Introducing the Standard Days Method in CEMOPLAF," Final Report, 2003.
  12. "Rain Tools". aktionregen.at (in German). Retrieved 2018-07-12.
  13. "Rain Tools". aktionregen.at. Retrieved 2018-07-12.