Standard Days Hints, Advantages, and Disadvantages
You should always track the first day of your period on the calendar as well as on your cycle beads. This way, you can count the number of days on the calendar and the number of beads to make sure they match.
Cycle beads work best if you are in a committed relationship with a man who understands and can support you in this method. You need to discuss your plans for your fertile days: will you abstain or will you use alternate protection? Make sure you are prepared.
Make sure than nobody else, even children, move your cycle beads. Explain to children that it is not a toy.
The advantage of the Standard Days program is that it is easy to follow, unlike the math required for the rhythm or calendar method. Standard Days does not require any equipment, but has some option training and tools (the cycle beads).
You cannot use the Standard Days method until you have determined the length of your menstrual cycle. To determine this natural length, you have to be off hormonal birth controls for at least one month. For the three month injection of Depo-Provera, you have to wait three months before you can begin using the Standard Days method.
This method is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding, or perimenopausal (before menopause), because their cycles are changing. This method is not recommended for teens because their cycles might not yet be regular.
Remember that like all other fertility awareness methods, neither Standard Days nor Cycle Beads protect against sexually transmitted diseases or infections.
