There are a few stores/ web stores that inspire me. You know, they don’t just sell or feature cute stuff; they just embody beautiful, lovely and creative. One of them is the online community Etsy. Though there are definitely less lovely things on Etsy, there are some really fabulous finds. Well, I typed “natural family plannning” in the ‘ol search engine, and found this.
Now, there’s a debate about whether or not menstrual beads (Cycle Beads) are good for the NFP movement because they are essentially a modern, slightly modified version of the Rhythm method, or so I’ve heard (I’ve not taken the class). Anyone who’s a little familiar with the contemporary NFP movement knows that people’s stereotype of the Rhythm method is one of the biggest things holding back progress in the wider culture.
Yet, despite this, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence (and I believe a study or two–does anyone know where to find them?) that menstrual beads work, and work well. They’re marketed largely in developing countries because of lower literacy levels (no charts) and little expense (pennies apiece at cost), but somehow it’s caught on here as well. What’s your thought? Yay or nay?
Whatever your thought is, I give a yay to Etsy.
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Thank you for sharing this. This is the first time I’ve made my way over to Etsy, and there are some cool items to be found there! We also have no experience with the cycle beads, and I’m curious to learn more about how they do or do not complement the modern NFP charting methods.
Georgetown has done a lot of research on what they call the “Standard Days Method.” http://www.irh.org/RTP-DevTest-SDM.htm
I think that if I had regular cycles and found charting to be a burden that I would give it a try. Ideally all women should have the highest understanding of fertility possible, but cycle beads seem like a great first step. The pro-contraception side does not reject condoms just because they are less effective than the pill and I see no reason for cycle beads to be ignored simply because they are less effective than STM.
I’m of similar opinion, Rae. If SDM/ Cycle Beads were a terrible choice or too ineffective to use, I don’t think Georgetown would have a whole center/ research project devoted to it.
Mixed feelings here… I have heard people say they work, but I’ve also heard people say that the Rhythm Method works for them… and that’s not something I would recommend when TTA. I don’t think its wrong to use them… but I wouldn’t recommend it without stressing that its no where near as accurate as charting.
There are excellent teaching materials for the method at the Georgetown site. A person can learn to teach the method via the site in 2 hours. Georgetown studies show it to be 95% effective, I believe. So, yes, it’s easy and can work very well for women who have regular cycles. It can be taught quickly. Women can always be encouraged to return for more instruction if cycles become irregular. It does not necessarily involve much more abstinence than symptom based methods of NFP.
As an instructor trained in the STM and Standard Days Method, I definitely encourage STM and/or mucus alone over the SDM, however.
Thanks for the testimony about SDM, with an honest comparison of it versus STM/ ovulation methods. Besides the curiosity of finding menstrual beads on Etsy, the hyperbolic criticism of SDM elsewhere (http://jocelynstorm.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/organic-birth-control/) is what prompted my inquiry regarding Cycle Beads. Good balanced response, Batrice.
I don’t know much about SDM. Reading how the beads work on Etsy, I would become pregnant every month using this method. I have very regular cycles, but I have very long cycles (upper 30s to lower 40s days long).
However, it did say that it would only work with women who have 26 – 32 days in their cycle. Which is not me. Sounds like it it cannot be used as a general method for all women.
That would be me too… Mine are on average 35 days (but have been up to mid 40′s).
Jeanne,
1) Etsy directions do not qualify as NFP instruction. I might suggest a dialogue with someone trained like Batrice (previous comment) to get a full understanding of what may or may not be best for you. 2) You could be correct about your particular situation with much longer than normal cycles; and 3) Though I’ve posted this item from Etsy as a social interest piece, it’s not a claim that menstrual beads are to be used as you say, “a general method for all women.” It works for some, but not all. It takes discernment and professional advice for sure.
I definitely see how this could work for many women… and certainly its not an unreasonable failure rate if women are aware of it. My concern would be regarding the return of fertility after childbirth, when most women’s cycles will not be in a range that would work for cycle beads. Wouldn’t it be easier to have already learned at least a mucus only method? Or else what does one do if one hasn’t learned any other NFP instruction after having a baby?
I realize I need to go read Georgetown’s website and see what they say about that, and so I will.