IRH contributes to a range of health initiatives and is dedicated to helping women and men make informed choices about family planning. In particular, it offers options for simple, effective fertility awareness-based methods (FAM). As part of Georgetown University, IRH conducts research to develop fertility awareness-based methods of family planning and tests them in real-world settings. Translating complex concepts of fertility research into simple and practical guidance for service providers and couples is the Institute's hallmark. The Institute has developed three fertility awareness-based methods of family planning - the Standard Days Method®, TwoDay Method® and Lactational Amenorrhea Method - that are practiced in over 30 countries around the world. The Institute also creates programs to foster fertility awareness among young adolescents (ages 10 to 14) in the context of self-worth and respect for others, and to reduce stigma and discrimination to improve HIV and AIDS prevention and care.
Through conducting research and implementing evidence-based practices into programs, IRH strives to: expand choice by increasing access to fertility awareness-based methods of family planning worldwide; empower women by helping them learn about and take charge of their reproductive and sexual health - from very young adolescents to adults; and involve communities in reproductive health interventions that improve women's health.
Specialties
Reproductive Health, Family Planning, Research-to-Practice, Scale up, HIV/AIDS, Youth, Standard Days Method (SDM), CycleBeads, TwoDay Method (TDM), Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
