From about the age of fifty most women are infertile. The change from fertility to infertility is usually gradual, occurring over a number of years. During this time menstrual cycles often become extremely variable in length and mucus episodes less frequent.

If you've stopped hormonal contraception you may not show signs of fertility for some weeks or months until your own hormones return to normal function. You may have regular bleeds but not observe the normal mucus changes indicating fertility.

After giving birth, most women experience a period of natural infertility that can last for many months if you breastfeed. The Billings Ovulation Method® enables you to recognise the months of infertility. So you can enjoy your sexual relationship without worrying about the effects on your milk and your baby of the synthetic hormones in chemical contraceptives.

There are just four simple rules of the Billings Ovulation Method® to prevent pregnancy which you can apply in all circumstances and at all stages of your reproductive life

Fertility control should be reliable, harmless, immediately reversible, and inexpensive. It shouldn't detract from the pleasure of sex, and it should encourage a good emotional and sexual relationship between partners. Many women find the various methods of contraception available today to be unsatisfactory or unacceptable because they fail to tick one or more of these boxes. Find out how the Billings Ovulation Method® ticks your boxes!

The Billings Ovulation Method® chart of a 28-year-old woman showed several months of abnormal cycles, with excessive thick and sticky mucus and no obvious changing pattern suggestive of ovulation. In one cycle, she experienced fertile symptoms followed immediately by bleeding, then fertile symptoms again. Her Billings Ovulation Method® tutor referred her to her GP for investigation.

A small amount of blood in your cervical mucus may be harmless, caused by hormone fluctuations, or even the implantation of an embryo if you have conceived. But sometimes it may indicate cervical or uterine polyps, or fibroids. There are also a number of cancers of the reproductive system that can affect your patterns of cervical mucus and menstrual cycle. It's important to discuss with your doctor any spotting or blood in the mucus that is a change from your usual pattern, or changes in your normal menstrual flow.

Inflammatory processes of the reproductive system are the second most frequent cause of infertility. They are usually secondary to genital tract infections (often caused by STIs). If you have learned to chart your cervical mucus patterns you will quickly be able to recognise an abnormality and seek treatment promptly, which may prevent fertility disorders. For example, you may see a small amount of blood in your cervical mucus, or experience a continuous discharge alongside an ovulatory pattern of mucus.

Testimonies from satisfied couples who have learned the Billings Ovulation Method®
Some people have been given pseudonyms to protect their privacy, others were happy to use their own names.

The Billings Ovulation Method™ is used by millions of women around the world. It was developed by Drs John and Evelyn Billings, validated by eminent international scientists and successfully trialled by the World Health Organisation. By learning to identify your natural signals of fertility, you can use the Billings Ovulation Method™ to become pregnant or avoid pregnancy and to safeguard your reproductive health.