This thought-provoking summary tells the story of how three different fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) — the Sympto-Thermal Method , the Lactational Amenorrhea Method, and the Marquette Model — met the needs of two couples. Read more in this interview conducted by Catherine Cahill.
As the end of 2021 draws near, we are grateful for every gift that makes possible the work of FACTS to educate medical professionals about fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) and their applications in family planning and women’s health. This month, we feature someone who felt so strongly about the mission of FACTS that she became a monthly donor as a student. Learn more about Bailey Limyansky in this blog feature!
For many years, clomiphene citrate was the recommended first-line agent for ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Yet, the 2019 meta-analysis study summarized in this research post provides further evidence that letrozole, or clomiphene plus metformin, can now be recommended as a first-line treatment for ovulation induction in most women with PCOS. Read more!
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition with specific criteria that can present with subtle findings early on. The significance of sporadic anovulation in eumenorrheic women remains unclear. In this study, the authors aimed to assess whether sporadic anovulation was associated with clinical evidence of hyperandrogenemia. Read more in this review of the research!
This interview with three different users of fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) brings into the discussion something too often neglected: the needs and goals of the women seeking care. Calley Gober, a fourth-year medical student, interviewed these women while on the FACTS elective. Beyond sharing their stories, she provides information about the Sympto-Thermal Method, other FABMs, and the essential role of FABM instructors.
The luteal phase is the consistent, post-ovulatory phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle. A normal luteal phase reflects proper functioning of internal hormones, which can be measured through serum and urinary testing. A study by Alliende et al published in Frontiers in Public Health in 2018 studied the luteal phase in healthy fertile women. Their research and findings were summarized by Estefan Michael Beltrán while on the FACTS elective.
At FACTS, we take every opportunity to express our gratitude for their generosity. This month, we feature a couple who has actively supported the work of FACTS from the very beginning. Santiago and Melissa Solares have used and taught the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) through the Couple-to-Couple League (CCL) for years, and have come alongside the mission of FACTS with wholehearted dedication. We are grateful for their contributions to our elective and for their consistent support as monthly donors of FACTS.
According to the CDC website, approximately 14% of women ages 15 to 49 were using the pill between 2017 and 2019. It is important to know what biomarkers will be affected after stopping oral contraceptives, and for how long these changes will affect menstrual cycle charting. Dr. Grace Strella summarized the research from the study study by Nassaralla et al is titled, “Characteristics of the menstrual cycle after discontinuation of oral contraceptives.” Before this research was published in 2011, no studies had assessed cervical mucus quality upon discontinuation of oral contraceptives (OCPs). Read more!
As with so much in medicine, the management of miscarriage must go beyond meeting medical needs to caring for the human being who experiences this significant loss. Dr. Abigail Finder was in her last year of medical school when she interviewed Maria, a woman who has experienced miscarriage more than once. The interview highlights the advantages of such a compassionate, medically sound, and holistic approach in the care of these families.
This summary of research by Dr. Emily Endres offers hope for women, couples, and families who have suffered through recurrent miscarriages. Read more about the largest study to date to assess the role of progesterone in the early stages of pregnancy.