FAQs

FAQs

• Why Sensiplan and not NFP?

  When we talk about Sensiplan, we are referring to the symptothermal method developed by the NFP working group, which has been scientifically monitored since 1981. This means that Sensiplan combines intensive body awareness with fertility observation. In addition to family planning options, Sensiplan also offers girls and women of all ages insight into their bodies and their own fertility. Cyclical signs such as changes in basal body temperature, cervical mucus, cervix, midcycle pain, breast symptoms, and bleeding patterns are observed. The combination of observing the symptoms of cervical mucus or cervix (sympto) and body temperature (thermal) also gives the method its name: symptothermal method.

• Do I even need to learn Sensiplan? My cycle app shows me when I'm ovulating...

  Even with a very regular cycle, external influences such as illness, stress, etc. can cause ovulation to shift. It is therefore negligent to entrust your safety to an algorithm based on a calendar method or similar. The market for cycle apps is very diverse and there are significant differences in quality. Depending on whether the app is to be used purely for cycle monitoring or for contraception, these differences must be taken into account. There are a few cycle apps that use a symptothermal method as their basis. It is important to note that there are no studies to verify the algorithm used, so no statement can be made about the underlying reliability. The NFP working group has developed an app based on the Sensiplan rules and is having it certified as a Class IIb medical device; a preliminary version is available in the App Store. Only the Sensiplan app guarantees that the standardized, scientifically verified rules and algorithm are stored.

• Is this also possible with an irregular cycle?

  Yes. Self-observation can help you identify the reasons for the irregularities. You will learn how your body reacts to various influences and be able to determine when ovulation or menstruation occurs. However, a delay in ovulation can lead to a longer fertile phase and thus a longer phase during which intercourse is not possible. It is then a matter of acceptance whether you as a couple want to use Sensiplan.

• I'm still breastfeeding—can I use Sensiplan?

  Yes. However, it makes sense to schedule a personal appointment with a Sensiplan counselor if you are still breastfeeding. Breastfeeding affects a mother’s fertility, which returns only gradually. Women who use Sensiplan during this time know how long they remain infertile after giving birth, when ovulation resumes, when cycles return to normal, and when family planning becomes necessary. A special cycle chart is provided for support. In addition to fertility signs, the chart records breastfeeding patterns and the child’s eating habits.

• Can I start using Sensiplan immediately after stopping the pill?

  Yes. Of course, it varies greatly from person to person when your cycle will stabilize again after stopping the pill. The Sensiplan rules will also support you during this phase of your life. It is important to assume that you will be fertile in the first cycle after stopping the pill.

• Can ovulation be pinpointed to the exact day?

  No, it can’t be pinpointed to the exact day, but ultrasound scans and hormone tests can narrow it down fairly accurately. That’s why we identify a fertile window, for which your temperature and cervical mucus provide important clues. However, ovulation can be accurately determined retroactively based on the necessary characteristics.

• Do I always have to measure at the same time?

  Especially in the first few cycles, it is important to note the time of measurement as well as the temperature value, because you need to find out for yourself to what extent the different measurement times affect your temperature curve. For many women, deviations of plus/minus one and a half hours from the usual measurement time are insignificant. For some, however, even smaller differences in measurement time are noticeable. There are also women for whom it does not matter at all when they take their temperature.

• Which factors influence safety?

  Your safety depends largely on you and your behavior as a couple. How strong is your motivation as a couple to actually avoid pregnancy? Most unintended pregnancies occur because the rules aren’t followed and intercourse takes place during the fertile window. Many take a chance “just this one time,” knowing that the likelihood of getting pregnant isn’t quite as high at the start of the fertile window. The probability of pregnancy increases the closer you get to ovulation. After ovulation, the probability of conception drops rapidly and is zero during the established high-temperature phase. Whether you are in agreement during this phase and whether you can communicate openly and honestly about your sexuality and family planning are further aspects that are crucial for safety. The basis for ensuring high safety is that you are able to correctly determine the fertile window. This is only possible if you have mastered the Sensiplan guidelines. The most effective way to learn these guidelines is to be introduced to the method by trained Sensiplan counselors. Alternatively, you can learn the guidelines through standardized e-learning and, if necessary, seek supportive counseling from a Sensiplan counselor.

• What are the reasons for menstrual cramps?

  Menstrual cramps are caused by contractions of the uterus as it sheds its lining. Prostaglandins, the body’s own chemical messengers, trigger these contractions. Severe pain can have various causes, such as endometriosis or fibroids. With Sensiplan, you’ll get to know your cycle better and be able to recognize patterns, which can help with treatment.

• What does NFP mean?

  Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for methods that involve observing and interpreting bodily signs. There are various methods, such as temperature measurement, the calendar method, the Billings method, and many others.

• What is 'Mittelschmerz' midcycle-pain?

  Midcycle pain is a one-sided, pulling, or stabbing pain in the lower abdomen that can occur around the time of ovulation. About 30% of women experience it. It can serve as a helpful additional indicator of the fertile phase, but it is not, on its own, a reliable sign of ovulation. In Sensiplan, it is recorded as an observation but is not used in the evaluation.

• What is the Pearl Index?

  Definition Pearl Index : The Pearl Index indicates how many unintended pregnancies occur when 100 women use a specific contraceptive method for one year (one woman-year corresponds to 12 cycles). Some studies also use 13 cycles per woman per year. The effectiveness of a family planning method depends on two factors: the method itself and how reliably it is used. A distinction is therefore made between method effectiveness and user effectiveness. If a couple strictly follows the rules, the pregnancy rate with Sensiplan is extremely low. It is 0.4 (Pearl Index). Thus, when used correctly, the method effectiveness of Sensiplan is comparable to that of the pill and is accordingly recommended in the current medical “Guideline on Non-Hormonal Contraception.” The user effectiveness of Sensiplan is 1.8 (Pearl Index).

• Which thermometers are suitable for measuring body temperature with Sensiplan?

  Human body temperature ranges from 36 to 42°C. There are essentially three technologies available for determining the exact temperature value: Liquid measurement Electronic measurement Radiation measurement A prerequisite for all three technologies is the installation of a so-called “maximum device.” This means that the highest temperature value measured over a certain period of time remains displayed even if the instrument is removed from the measurement site. 1. Liquid-in-glass thermometers Liquid-in-glass thermometers are designed such that the measuring liquid is contained in a reservoir and expands into a connected capillary tube when heated. A temperature scale is located next to the capillary tube for reading the measurement. A so-called “maximum device” prevents the measuring liquid from flowing back into the capillary tube as it cools. For this reason, liquid thermometers must be “shaken back” after measurement. A gallium alloy, for example, serves as the measuring liquid. Petroleum or alcohol cannot be used as measuring fluids because, on the one hand, it is not possible to prevent the fluid from flowing back when it cools using a “maximum device,” and on the other hand, these fluids are subject to a high evaporation rate when heated. A typical characteristic is high resistance to aging, allowing for very precise temperature readings. A disadvantage is the comparatively long measurement time. This, in turn, is related to the poor thermal conductivity of the glass casing material. Mercury thermometers were withdrawn from the market following an EU decision in 2009. 2. Electronic Thermometers Electronic thermometers feature a measuring tip, a start button, and a digital display. The measuring tip contains a thermistor, which changes its resistance when heated. At the same time, a voltage is applied via the battery, and the measured value is converted into a digital display. A key advantage is the short measurement time. A disadvantage is the inconsistent measurement accuracy, which depends on the components used. In addition to manufacturing quality, the adhesive used to secure the thermistor and its thermal conductivity play a particularly significant role. For measuring basal body temperature, it is recommended to use only instruments explicitly designed for this purpose, which are manufactured with the appropriate care and using high-quality materials. 3. Infrared Thermometers (a) Ear Thermometers Unlike digital thermometers, ear thermometers feature an infrared sensor, a start button, and a digital display. The sensor detects the heat radiated by the body. Similar to electronic thermometers, the measured value is converted and displayed as a digital number. An advantage is the very short measurement time of about one second. A disadvantage is that reliable temperature readings can only be expected if the thermometer is positioned correctly in the ear and the ear canals are clean. Based on experience, it is recommended to take several measurements and use the highest value. Ear thermometers are not suitable for Sensiplan. (b) Forehead thermometers Forehead thermometers function similarly to ear thermometers, but they attempt to measure temperature through the skin’s surface. An advantage is the short measurement time; a disadvantage is the film of moisture on the forehead caused by sweating during a feverish rise in temperature, which can impair measurement accuracy. These thermometers are also unsuitable for Sensiplan.