Interview: Symptothermal Method, an Alternative to Hormonal Contraception

The recent announcement of the start of tests of the contraceptive pill for men has given much to talk about, as it would be the first oral contraceptive for men to hit the market. Meanwhile, more and more women's movements are speaking out against hormonal contraception and its possible side effects. .

Despite this, little is said about non-hormonal contraception methods. Of these, the most complete is the symptothermal method, which combines the observation of symptoms with temperature measurement. According to data from the World Health Organization, its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy is even greater than that of condoms, although it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. With correct and consistent use, its effectiveness is less than one pregnancy per 100 women in one year.

At Latinamerican Post, we speak with Carolina Saldarriaga, certified educator of the Symptothermal Method, creator of Son Tus Reglas, and member of Sintotermicas en Red , the network of Latin American educators of the symptothermal method.

Latinamerican Post: Why learn the symptothermal method?

Carolina Saldarriaga: Far beyond being a contraceptive or a tool to plan pregnancy, the symptothermal method is an excellent way of keeping a very careful and accurate record of our state of hormonal health, because it is based on reading objective fertility signs that our body sends us and they change according to the body's levels of estrogen and progesterone, and other hormones involved. So, they allow us to have a good idea of how our menstrual health is and therefore our general health, since this is largely controlled by our hormone levels.

Learning the symptothermal method is also to regain power over our bodies, to stop handing over our power to third parties. It is definitely not for everyone, but it is knowledge that should be had in a basic way because that is how we understand how our body works. This should be a right, but also an obligation, because it leads us to make more informed decisions, even if those decisions include taking hormonal contraception at some point. In this way, we will be able to really know the pros and cons, and not make decisions for lack of options but because we really know them all and choose based on what is best for us.

LP: How effective is the symptothermal method and what are its scientific bases?

CS: The method is up to 99.6% effective if learned correctly, this means learning it with an educator certified by an accredited institution. There are different accredited institutes. The best known are Justisse, Symptopro, Renafer and FEMM , in which I trained. The effectiveness of the method depends a lot on the user, it is an active method, not a passive one. A passive method is for example an IUD or a T that you put in and forget. In this case, it is up to you to make your records and observations correctly, and to analyze and apply the rules well so that the method is effective.

LP: Who does this method work best for? Can anyone practice it, even if their cycles are irregular?

CS: The symptothermal method works for any woman who has a cycle. In other words, it does not work for those who are taking contraceptives, because they are not ovulating and, therefore, we are not going to see the fertility biomarkers. For the rest, it can be practiced by anyone who has regular or irregular cycles or a condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, but it will depend more on the commitment.

We recommend you read: Opinion: Contraceptive pill for men, will it really arrive?

You have to understand that there is a learning curve, a time. I like to say that it's like learning to drive, you don't learn with a manual. There is a bit of theory to understand but you also have to put it into practice. It also requires the commitment to take the course with someone certified, which also implies an economic investment, but if you put it on a scale it is cheaper than taking contraceptives for years. On the other hand, if it is someone who has a partner, it is also important that the partner agrees. With the symptothermal method, fertility becomes an issue for two. It is no longer only the woman's responsibility as has traditionally happened, but it is a much more shared responsibility. However, it is also important to understand that this method, like any other contraceptive method except condoms, does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. If there is no stable partner, it is always important to use a condom to protect our cervix and health in general.

LP: How do you learn this method and how much preparation is needed?

CS: Using the symptothermal method requires a learning process. On the other hand, not everyone is simply avoiding or seeking pregnancy. There are also midpoints. Yes, it is important, especially if we are seriously avoiding pregnancy, to learn it properly with a certified educator. She is going to teach a course, which will be different depending on the educator and the school with which she has been certified. In general, it requires a theoretical learning process and daily observations and records of the biomarkers must be made. There is talk of at least 3 menstrual cycles of learning process to really graph correctly, make observations of cervical fluid correctly, understand and apply the rules well. This is the minimum time before starting the method as a contraceptive. Once learned, it is not forgotten and that knowledge remains forever.

LP: Tell us a little more about the synthetic networks, how was it born? What is your mission and what has been your impact in Latin America?

CS: Sintotermicas en Red was born two years ago. There was a synchronicity and several of us started teaching the method in Latin America at the same time. We met through Instagram and we realized that it was important to join efforts. In addition, we have a school called SER, where we offer courses on the menstrual cycle, fertility, and health in general.