Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Using the trainer’s document Standard Days Method, make a short presentation of the
method.
[Note: keep the presentation as simple as possible, without too many details that could
overloaded participants]
‣ How many beads do you have?
32 beads
‣ What this might mean?
Women having menstrual cycles longer than 32 days cannot use the SDM/Cycle Beads.
Invite participants to observe that a dark brown bead is on each cycle and ask them to
count the number of beads between the first day (menstruation) and this bead. Ask:
‣ How many beads there are before the dark brown bead?
26 beads
‣ What this might mean?
Women having menstrual cycles shorter than 26 days cannot use the SDM/Cycle Beads.
Explain how the beads are used:
• On the first day of your period, move the ring to the red bead. Also mark that day
on your calendar.
• Every morning move the ring to the next bead. Always move the ring in the
direction of the arrow, from narrow to wide end. Move the ring even on days
when you have your period.
• If you forget whether you moved the ring, check in your calendar when your
period began. Count the days since your period began and move the ring the same
number of beads starting with the RED bead.
• When the ring is on a BROWN bead you can have sexual intercourse. These are
days when pregnancy is very unlikely.
• When the ring is on a WHITE bead day, avoid unprotected sex. These are days
when you can get pregnant if you have unprotected sex.
• The day your next period starts, move the ring to the RED bead again. Skip over
any remaining beads. Your period signals that a new cycle has started.
• Contact your provider if you start your period before you put the ring on the
DARK BROWN bead. Also contact your provider if you have not started your
period by the day after you put the ring on the last BROWN bead. In these
situations it is possible that this method may not be appropriate for you.
[Note: demonstrate CycleBeads using while you explain these, and invite participants to
do the same]
83
RFHI Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 5: SDM