Cervical Mucus Method
A woman makes observations of cervical mucus seen on toilet paper. She is most fertile when cervical mucus is clear, stretchy, and lubricative in sensation (like raw egg whites).
Types
- Creighton
- Billings
- Two Day Method
NFP Methods
Explore each approach — from cervical mucus to basal body temperature to hormone testing — and find the method that's right for you.
There are multiple types of Natural Family Planning methods including the cervical mucus method, sympto-thermal, and sympto-hormonal. Explore more about each type and see which method is best for you!
The Methods
Each NFP method uses different biological markers to identify fertile and infertile phases of your cycle.
A woman makes observations of cervical mucus seen on toilet paper. She is most fertile when cervical mucus is clear, stretchy, and lubricative in sensation (like raw egg whites).
Types
A woman tracks her basal body temperature every morning (or uses a device to track average temperature while sleeping). Ovulation is indicated when basal body temperature spikes by 0.5–1.0°F and remains elevated through the luteal phase.
Types
Much like an at-home urine pregnancy test, this method uses urine ovulation tests to track hormones through the cycle. A surge in LH (luteinizing hormone) indicates ovulation has occurred.
Types
Find Your Fit
If you like having a fairly consistent morning routine and can be consistent with waking up at the same time every day, then the typical basal body temperature or sympto-hormonal methods may be right for you. They require checking your basal body temperature or LH urine test at the same time every morning. Although they require consistency with making observations every morning, they only require you to make one observation per day (unlike the cervical mucus methods).
| Method | Primary marker | Observations per day | Requires same wake time? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical Mucus | Cervical mucus quality & sensation | Multiple (each time you use the restroom) | No |
| Sympto-Thermal | Basal body temperature (BBT) | One (morning temp) | Yes — ideally same time daily |
| Sympto-Hormonal | LH hormone (urine test) | One (morning urine test) | Yes — same time for accuracy |
Not sure where to start? A good first step is to speak with a certified NFP instructor or your healthcare provider to find the method that fits your health, lifestyle, and goals.
Go Deeper
Dr. Regan has written in-depth guides on each method to help you understand the science and practicalities.
The three main NFP methods are the cervical mucus method (observing cervical mucus changes), the sympto-thermal method (tracking basal body temperature), and the sympto-hormonal method (using urine tests to track hormones like LH).
It depends on your cycle, routine, and goals. Methods that rely on basal body temperature or a morning urine test suit people with a consistent wake time and just one observation a day; the cervical mucus method involves observations throughout the day. A certified NFP instructor or your healthcare provider can help you choose.
Yes — the NFP apps and monitors featured in our Resources (such as Natural Cycles, Tempdrop, Mira, and Inito) are HSA/FSA eligible.
It is recommended to learn your chosen method from a certified NFP instructor or a knowledgeable healthcare provider, who can help you chart accurately and interpret your signs correctly.
Ready to take the next step?
Browse our curated resources — including HSA/FSA-eligible apps and fertility monitors — or head to the blog for physician-written guidance on choosing and learning your method.
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