PSI

Standard Days Method & CycleBeads

The Standard Days Method (SDM) is a fertility awareness-based method that relies on a fixed "window" of fertility that makes it easy for women to know when they are likely to become pregnant. To avoid pregnancy, a woman with cycles between 26 and 32 days long should not have unprotected intercourse on cycle days 8 through 19. A color-coded string of beads, called Cycle Beads™, are used to help women keep track of the days of their menstrual cycle and see which days they are likely to get pregnant. An efficacy trial found that the SDM was more than 95% effective with correct use and more than 88% with typical use among women who reported regular cycles of 26-32 days.

PSI launched SDM in 2004 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and now distributs the product in Benin, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria and Rwanda. Since the inception of the program, nearly 100,000 units have been sold, generating about 200,000 couple years of protection. When possible, SDM is integrated into the mix of other hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methods available for woman.

SDM offers women a variety of benefits. First, it is a natural family planning method with no hormones or surgical procedures necessary. Therefore, it was has no side-effects. One package will last for years, and does not need to be refilled. Therefore, it is inexpensive in the long-term. Finally, a client does not have to a medical provider or pharmacists to receive the message, but she can find it non-specialized shops.

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Health Areas: Reproductive Health