Clinical tests

One day after ovulation starts the totally infertile phase which lasts until next menstruation. The Pearl-Index is therefore 0,0: better than any ?pill?. During the first 5 preovulatory days, the Pearl index is 0,2. According to women who have more preovulatory days after day 5, the Pearl index is 0,8 which still competes with the best hormonal contraception. As a consequence, there is not straightforward answer to the question of contraceptive effectiveness. This methodological effectiveness depends in the last run on the couple's competence to observe abstinence during the fertile days or to use the condom properly.

The overall contraceptive effectiveness is indicated with a Pearl index of 0,5 according to standard reader « Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe », B. Uhl, 3. Ausgabe, 2006, page 474 (Thieme Verlag).

The effectiveness of the sympto.ch-systems depends on different factors:

A) Theoretic and practical effectiveness (called methodological effectiveness) of the classic, manual STM: See list below.
B) Effectiveness of sympto-engine and its user friendliness. sympto.ch has integrated the symptothermal laws which have been verified through more than hundred thousands of cycles over the last 20 years. However, sympto.ch has tested the trickiest and rare cases. These test cycles can be published for those persons who can document a scientific interest. Ever since 2006 there has been none unwanted pregnancy with sympto within serval thousands cycles. This unique result is also du to the fact that the sympto users are followed on their message box by a symptothermal counselor. Concerning the user friendliness, see sympto easy.

A) Here below the most recent clinical studies, the WHO studies of the eighties are completely outdated.

1.sympto Fertility Management Programme, ongoing study, info@symptotherm.ch
2.Frank-Herrmann,P., Heil,J., Gnoth,C. et al (2007) The effectiveness of a fertility awareness based method to avoid pregnancy in relation to a couple's sexual behaviour during the fertile time: a prospective longitudinal study. Hum.Reprod., 22, 1310-1319.
3.Frank-Herrmann P., Gnoth, C., Baur, S, Strowitzki T, and Freundl, G. Determination of the fertile window: Reproductive competence of women - European cycle databases. Gynecol.Endocrinol. 20(6), 305-312. 2005. Ref Type: Journal (Full)
4.Frank-Herrmann P., Strowitzki T, Wischmann T, Gnoth, Ch, and Freundl, G. Fertility Awareness in der Hormonsprechstunde - ein Pilotprojekt an der Universität Heidelberg. Forschung für die Frau in einer neuen Welt(Deutsche Ges. für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe), PB.11.08. 9-12-2002. Springer. Ref Type: Art Work
5.Frank-Herrmann,P., Freundl,G., Gnoth,C. et al (1997) Natural family planning with and without barrier method use in the fertile phase: efficacy in relation to sexual behavior: a German prospective long-term study. Adv.Contracept., 13, 179-189
6.Freundl, G. The effectiveness of NFP, demonstrated on two ongoing studies, the German and the European study. IV. Symposium Internacional sobre Regulacion Natural de la Fertilidad (Asociasion Espanola de Profesores de Planificacion Fam. Nat.), 57-64. 1994. Universidad de Barcelona. Ref Type: Art Work
7.Freundl,G. (2000) Natürliche Familienplanung und "nicht-hormonale Kontrazeption". Gynäkologe, 33, 679-688.
8.Freundl,G. (2004) Natürliche Familienplanung. In Bender,H., Diedrich,K., and Künzel,W. (eds), Klinik der Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe. Urban & Fischer, München , Jena, pp. 163-172
9.Freundl,G. (1998) Kontrazeption per Computer. Hormonmesssystem Persona-- Studienergebnisse in Deutschland. (Contraception per computer. Hormone system persona--results of studies in Germany). Fortschritte Der Medizin, 116, 47-48
10.Freundl,G., Frank-Herrmann P., Godehardt,E. et al (2003) Die Effektivität von Zyklusmonitoren zur Bestimmung des fertilen Fensters . Geburtshilfe.Frauenheilkd., 63
11.Freundl,G., Godehardt,E., Kern,P.A. et al (2003) Estimated maximum failure rates of cycle monitors using daily conception probabilities in the menstrual cycle. Hum Reprod., 18, 2628-2633
12.Freundl,G., Suberg,D., Flynn,A.M. et al. (1984) [Natural family planning (symptothermal method) and objective ovulation parameters--a pilot study] Naturliche Familienplanung (symptothermale Methode) und objektive Ovulations parameter--eine Pilotstudie. Geburtshilfe. Frauenheilkd., 44, 368-374
13.Gnoth, Ch, Godehardt, D, Godehardt, E., Frank-Herrmann P., and Freundl, G. Kumulative Schwangerschaftswahrscheinlichkeit in natürlichen Zyklen: eine prospektive Studie. Forschung für die Frau in einer neuen Welt (Deutsche Ges. für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe). 9-12-2002. Berlin, Heidelberg, Springer Verlag. Ref Type: Art Work
14.Raith,E., Frank,P., and Freundl,G. (1999) Raith-Paula,E., Frank-Herrmann P., and Freundl,G. (eds), Natürliche Familineplanung heute mit ausführlicher Darstellung der Zykluscomputer. Springer, Berlin, 1-273
15.Sottong,U., Bremme,M., and Freundl,G. (1992) Lactational amenorrhoea and lactational anovulation in 109 breastfeeding women. Advances In Contraception, 8, 269-270
16.Sottong,U., Fortrie,C., Bremme,M. et al (1998) Kontrazeption in der Stillzeit Wie werden natürliche Methoden akzeptiert und angewandt? Sexualmedizin, 20, 244-250
17.Zinaman,M. and Stevenson,W. (1991) Efficacy of the symptothermal method of natural family planning in lactating women after the return of menses. Am.J.Obstet.Gynecol., 165, 2037-2039