5. Times of infertility
a) Light and Very Light flow days of the menstrual flow when no mucus is present.
On the light and very light days the majority of the endometrial tissue and fluid has been shed, and now there are only traces left to be discharged. These traces will not produce a lubricative sensation unless cervical mucus is present. If the sensation is lubricative and/or mucus is present during the light and very light days of the menstrual flow you are considered fertile. Mucus may be present on the light and very light days of the menstrual flow in short cycles.
b) All dry days except those within a count of 3.
If you are avoiding pregnancy, intercourse in the pre-ovulatory phase of the cycle should occur nights only, as you need the whole day to determine whether or not you are dry.
Intercourse every other night is a conservative approach to take until you are confident in eliminating seminal fluid from your observations. Seminal fluid, which is present following intercourse, can be eliminated with the Semen Elimination Technique (see Chapter 7). Once you are successful at eliminating seminal fluid every dry night pre-ovulation can be used for intercourse. In the post-ovulatory phase of the cycle use nights only for intercourse until you become confident in determining that ovulation has passed. Once you are confident in determining that ovulation has passed than intercourse can occur at anytime of the day. Discuss with your HRHP the details of how best to approach these rules for your situation.
c) The days following your third normal high temperature until menstruation.
When your temperature shifts and remains high for three consecutive normal high temperatures (no false highs dues to stress or illness) you can reliably assume that ovulation has occurred. You are considered infertile from the morning of the 3rd normal high temperatures until menstruation. The day of the 3rd high temperature there should be no Peak mucus present and you should be in your count of 3. If there has been a disturbance that make you suspect the temperatures might not be normal, rely on mucus observations alone to determine fertile and infertile days, until temperatures return to normal. Disturbances that can alter temperature are: mild infection, vomiting, travel, cold/flu, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, fever, anxiety, alcohol consumption, toothache, sunburn, electric blanket, eating of allergic foods, some medications, and activity before taking your temperature. If your temperatures are confusing, mucus observations will be your guide.
