News/Blog

CycleBeads are available from Benin to Belgium, from East Timor to Ecuador, and from Uganda to the United States. Women in over 50 countries use this natural family planning option to plan or prevent pregnancy. 

How do they get them? CycleBeads are available throughout much of the world through healthcare providers, educators, retailers, NGO’s, Ministries of Health and of course... online! 

Posted in: Natural Birth Control, CycleBeads, International Family Planning

Thanks to all who participated in our survey! We got great feedback and found a few new words used to describe CycleBeads. Interestingly, the words most commonly used to describe this family planning method are "non-hormonal", "prevent pregnancy" and "natural". Of course there are a lot of other terms too -  "cool", "fun", and "girl power" being among our favorites! We've tried to capture most of the feedback in this picture and for the next week, we'll use it as our Facebook banner too!  

Posted in: CycleBeads

We've been thinking a lot about the words we use most often when talking about this family planning option - effective natural family planning, birth control, plan pregnancy, prevent pregnancy naturally, etc. etc. etc. Sometimes we realize we're talking to ourselves. We'd like to hear from you! Tell us what words you use most often when describing CycleBeads in the short survey below. We'll turn your words into works of art!

Posted in: CycleBeads

Sometimes we get so caught up in all of the warnings and potential risks that we forget that sex can be fun and healthy! Sexual activity has a number of health benefits that may surprise you. Check out the top 5 health benefits of having sex and why getting intimate once or twice a week may keep you from getting a cold!

Posted in: Womens Health

Using a condom correctly is difficult according to a recent study in the journal Sexual Health. Led by the Kinsey Institute Condom Use Research Team, the study compared 50 research articles across multiple countries and found that incorrect use of condoms is prevalent and causing unintended pregnancies and infections.

Posted in: Birth Control Effectiveness, Contraceptive Options, Research

Natural family planning, fertility awareness, natural birth control, FAB, FAM - chances are you have heard these terms thrown around and may only have a vague idea of what they mean. All of these are terms used to describe basically the same thing - a set of practices that enable a woman to plan or prevent pregnancy by identifying when she is fertile during her cycle.

Some people consider "natural family planning" to be a term specific to family planning methods that are advocated by the Catholic Church. And a few go even further and define it as a way only to conceive children. But most people consider natural family planning to be a broader term that can be used interchangeably with fertility awareness, natural birth control, etc.

So what are the different natural family planning methods?

Posted in: Birth Control Options, Fertility Awareness, Natural Birth Control

We are thrilled to be launching iCycleBeads™ Online and our redesigned website! iCycleBeads Online is the only web app in the world based on the Standard Days Method® of family planning. A user receives a private internet account where she can easily track the days of her cycles, know if she is on a day when pregnancy is possible or not, determine that her cycles are in range and continue to be in range for using this natural family planning method effectively, and maintain her cycle history. To use iCycleBeads Online a woman tracks the date her period starts each month; she is not required to track other in-depth fertility symptoms for use.

Posted in: CycleBeads, Technology, Birth Control Options, mHealth, Fertility Awareness, Natural Birth Control

In a recent TEDTalk, Melinda Gates eloquently outlined why contraception should not be considered a "controversial" topic and the importance of giving people everywhere access to a full range of family planning options.  Thank you Ms. Gates, for your willingness to lend your voice to this important issue... And of course, we were thrilled that CycleBeads were included among the full range of family planning options!

Posted in: Contraceptive Options, CycleBeads, International Family Planning, Womens Health, Education

Studies show that while the pill is the most commonly used contraceptive method in many countries*, a significant percentage of women discontinue its use, primarily due to side effects and health concerns. Women who discontinue using a contraceptive method put themselves at risk of an unintended pregnancy and need to be counseled or educate themselves on effective, viable birth control alternatives.

Posted in: Birth Control Side Effects, Natural Birth Control, Womens Health

When Guli Fager started her job as a sexual health educator for university students in Texas, she was shocked to learn how little they knew.  While most students had basic knowledge about contraception, they had minimal understanding of reproductive processes and sexual health issues.  Her concern grew when she realized that not only were the students generally uninformed, they were often misinformed.  She decided to focus on the question, “What is healthy sexual health development?” and how could she convey this question and the answers to the students through programs at the university health center.

Posted in: Education, Womens Health