Birth Control Method
Natural Family Planning
Description
Fertility awareness, or natural family planning, is based on a woman's individual
ovulation cycle. With a clinician's help, a woman charts out her menstrual, fertile
and infertile days, avoiding intercourse during fertile times. Different forms of
natural family planning include the Sympto-Thermal Method, the Ovulation Method,
the Calendar Method (a.k.a., the rhythm method), the Lactational-Amenorrhea Method
(breastfeeding) and withdrawal.
How It Works
Fertility awareness methods each have one thing in common: they rely on the
physiology of a woman's body, rather than on drugs, hormones or barrier methods.
However, each method is slightly different: the Sympto-Thermal Method involves
charting a woman's body temperature to determine fertile and infertile days; the
Ovulation Method requires a woman pay attention to her menstrual and ovulation
cycle, using her body's moisture and dryness to determine infertile days; the
Calendar Method, formerly known as "the rhythm method," relies on a woman
counting backwards from the last day of her period to determine the most
advantageous times to have intercourse; the Lactational-Amenorrhea Method,
which involves prolonging breastfeeding as a means for preventing ovulation;
and withdrawal, also known as coitus interruptus, the often-ineffective
practice of withdrawing the penis prior to ejaculation.
Should You Use It?
Natural family planning (NFP) is the only completely natural form of contraception
other than abstinence. While many people prefer this natural, mutual method of
preventing pregnancy, couples who use this method improperly are more likely
to get pregnant than those who misuse artificial methods. Couples who use this
method seem to like it -- most users of these methods tend to be very loyal,
continuing to practice NFP longer than users of any other method. If you want
to use fertility awareness as a method of contraception, you should first
confer with a trained counselor, clinician or family planning specialist.
Effectiveness
Failure rates for each natural family planning method are as follows: Sympto-Thermal
Method, 15%; the Ovulation Method, 20%; the Calendar Method, 18%; the
Lactational-Amenorrhea Method, 6%; and withdrawal, 20%.
STI Protection
The fertility awareness method does not prevent the transmission of sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Advantages
- Very inexpensive.
- No artificial devices or drugs required.
- No harmful side effects.
- Teaches women more about their bodies.
Disadvantages
- Requires the participation and cooperation of both partners.
- Most methods have a high failure rate when used incorrectly.
- Couples should see a trained counselor before using NFP methods.
Where to Buy It
One of the biggest advantages to fertility awareness is that it doesn't require
that you purchase anything prior to beginning it. Computerized fertility programs
are available to make temperature and ovulation charting easier, and you might
want to pick up a Basal thermometer; otherwise, all you'll need to do is visit a
family planning clinician for some good advice and training.
Follow Up
When you are ready, using fertility awareness methods is an excellent way to get
pregnant. However, don't just "reverse" whatever you are doing to prevent
pregnancy -- see your doctor again for a quick consultation.
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