The Symptothermal method of fertility tracking is simply a series of 3 separate methods of tracking fertility that when put together, combine a more accurate way to track fertility the natural way.
The 3 methods are are the temperature method, the mucus method, and the calendar method.
Temperature method
Every morning when you first wake up, before getting out of bed, talking, eating, drinking, or smoking, you take your temperature with a basal thermometer. These can be found at most pharmacies and are more accurate than a regular thermometer. Chart your results each day to form a pattern.
Your temperature changes throughout the menstrual cycle. The first half (afround your period) will be very low, this means your estrogen is up, and you may be able to conceive. The second half of your menstrual cycle, the temperature will go up; after about 3 days of higher temperatures, you're no longer fertile. The higher temperature will remain until just before your next period. Every woman is different, so charting daily will help you see a pattern.
If your temperature remains high around the time of your next expected period, it could mean that you're pregnant. Basal temperature is the fastest way to predict pregnancy. But you could also simply be late, and your temperature may go down before it actually starts.
Fertility can start when temperature drops just before your period and ends after 3 days of higher temperatures.
Mucus Method
Tracking your mucus levels and type of mucus (dry, tacky, wet and slippery, creamy, etc) can be a very effective way of predicting fertility. Write down your daily mucus levels and types to form a pattern.
The rise in amount of mucus as well as it being wet and slippery like raw egg that can stretch between your fingers can indicate ovulation.
Fertility can occur 2-3 days before the wet and slippery mucus and may last for 3 days after the slippery mucus.
Calendar Method
First step is to keep track of your periods; note when they start and how long they last. The longer you keep track of this, the better results you will get from this method.
Find the shortest cycle in your record and subtract 18 then use that number and count from day 1 of your current cycle (the first day of your period; not including spotting before your period starts) and mark the date with an X. This is your first possible fertile day
Find the longest cycle in your record and subtract 11 then use that number and count from day 1 of your current cycle and mark the date with an X. This is your last possible fertile day.
Make sure to circle the first day of your cycle each month and note when it ends.
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When using these 3 methods together, it is easiest to predict when your fertile days are, or should be. Any days considered to be fertile that fall on the same days in all 3 of these methods are your best chance at getting pregnant if that is your goal. These methods can also be used together to prevent pregnancy if that is your choice. Be sure to always use the same basal thermometer for the basal temperature, and try to take it at the same time each day if you can....but be sure you sleep at least 6 hours without being interrupted, and that will ensure more accuracy.
There are also phone apps that can help you track your periods, when you engage in intercourse, your temperature, symptoms, and any pills you may be taking. You can use these also to note when you're under a lot of stress, when you've been sick, or not sleeping well, or anything else you think may be relevant to the process.
It is best to be at a healthy weight when you start trying to get pregnant, and when you're trying to get pregnant it's always a good idea to get prenatal vitamins to get the right amounts of folic acid and other important vitamins built up into your system to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
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