Practicing NFP When You’re Sick

For educational purposes only. This is not medical advice, and I am not a doctor. Information is deemed reliable but subject to errors or omissions. Information is sourced from the SymptoPro Instructor Training Manual.

An illness like a cold or the flu is something everyone has to deal with from time to time. The only good think about being sick is that it forces you to rest and reflect. As I’m writing this, I’m currently recovering from a cold, and I was thinking about how being sick has affected my charting habits. If you’re wondering how you should approach charting when you’re under the weather, here is a quick guide.

Hormone Disruptions

Being sick is a stressor and therefore can affect your hormones. Many women may notice that their ovulation is delayed if they were sick during their follicular phase. It is important to make a note on your chart the days that you are sick. If your period arrives later than usual, you won’t be surprised, as you’ll be able to tell if ovulation was delayed due to your illness.

Temperature Disturbances

If you have a fever or are taking medications to reduce a fever, then it is likely that your temperature readings are disturbed. On your chart, put a parentheses around these temperature points, and write “illness” on your chart. Basal body thermometers can pick up on a fever, which is another benefit of taking your temperature every day.

What do you do if you’re sick during the time you expect a fertility-related temperature rise? It depends—this would be a good time to reach out to your instructor. It may be prudent to wait until your symptoms have subsided to mark high temperatures on your chart. It’s still a good idea to crosscheck temperature with your cervical mucus observations as well.

Cervical Mucus

If you’re experiencing congestion or a runny nose while you are sick, you may find yourself wondering if your cervical mucus has also changed. It’s possible! Certain medications can impact your cervical mucus. Antihistamines can often cause dryness, whereas expectorants can cause cervical mucus to thin and be more viscous. I recommend continuing to chart your cervical mucus, but if you take any medication, write that on your chart.

NFP in Practice

Remember that women’s bodies can respond to illnesses differently. It’s OK if you stop charting for a while when you’re sick. The important thing is to focus on resting. Talk to your partner about how your illness may affect your charting for this cycle, and ask him for his support.

Be sure to consult a physician for any medical concerns. Get well soon!