FAM Acronyms and Definitions
There are a lot of acronyms out there, here’s your cheat sheet!
When I first joined the Fertility Awareness community, I was so confused by all of the acronyms. Seriously, there are abbreviations for everything! It can be SO confusing- check out the cheat sheet below and save it in your favorites so you always know what we’re talking about!
| FAM | Fertility Awareness Method | There are a few different methods that fall under the “FAM” umbrella; Billings, Symptothermal, Symptohormonal, TCYOF, etc |
| TTA | Trying to avoid (pregnancy) | This is an important one! In reality, your feelings about having a baby can range, but generally people will put themselves in the TTA or TTC categories. |
| TTC | Trying to conceive | See above. |
| BBT | Basal body temperature | This is an important distinction from your regular temperature. Fever thermometers won’t work for charting with FAM, you need a thermometer BBT specific. |
| CM/ CF | Cervical mucus/ cervical fluid | Many instructors use CM and CF interchangeably. CF became a thing when people thought mucus was too gross of a word. Women are slowly taking the term back! |
| POC | Point of Change | POC is the first day that you chart a change in cervical mucus from dry (G) to non-peak or peak (ES or EL). |
| PIV | Penis in vagina (sex) | While sex can be done many different ways, this is an important distinction as some couples refrain from going PIV during their fertile days while others go PIV with a barrier method. |
| UP | Unprotected (PIV sex) | People will talk about when they go UP during their cycle, they aren’t actually going anywhere! |
| LH | Luteinizing Hormone | The Luteinizing Hormone is a hormone that is heightened when you are about to ovulate. LH strips can be dipped in urine to detect the amount of LH your body is producing in order to help pinpoint and confirm ovulation. |
| CD | Cycle Day | When talking about your chart writing out CD 2 is a lot easier than saying “Cycle Day 2” and lets others know where you are at in your cycle instead of using the date. |
| TCYOF | Taking Charge of Your Fertility | This book is extremely popular in the community and is a method of FAM. |
Did I miss any that you’re dying to know? Reach out and let me know!