NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING

Natural family planning is a way for a couple to prevent pregnancy without using drugs, chemicals, or devices. It is a method of birth control accepted by most religions. It is also a good way for a woman to become familiar with her menstrual cycles, and her body. This method of birth control is about 80 percent effective.

There are several methods that can be used in natural family planning. They are all based on finding out when the woman is likely to ovulate. Ovulation is when the ovary puts out an egg. The most likely days to get pregnant are about 7 days before ovulation, until 1 or 2 days following ovulation. These days are the "unsafe" days.

If the couple chooses not to have sex during the unsafe days, this is called periodic abstinence. This used to be called the "rhythm" or "safe period" method. The fertility awareness method (FAM) includes withdrawal or using barrier contraceptives during the unsafe days. Barrier contraceptives include condoms, vaginal pouches, diaphragms, and cervical caps. Periodic abstinence and fertility awareness methods require knowing, or charting, the unsafe days.

The most familiar method of periodic abstinence is the rhythm or calendar method. This method is probably the least safe of all the methods. Each woman's cycle varies month to month, so it makes it hard to know which days are "safe." With this method the woman must write on the calendar the days her periods start and end. This has to be done several months before the safe times can be calculated. The more the cycle varies, the more unsafe days there are.

The temperature method requires the woman to take her temperature every morning before she gets out of bed. It usually goes up about ½ a degree on the day she ovulates. After keeping track of her temperature for several months, it is possible to know when ovulation is likely to occur.

In the cervical mucus method a woman has to check the cervical mucus every day. Normally it is cloudy and sticky. When a woman ovulates, the mucus becomes clear and slippery, similar to a raw egg white.

The best method is the symptothermal method, which means it includes looking at symptoms and temperature. In this method the woman watches for symptoms that occur with ovulation, such as breast tenderness; vaginal spotting; thin, slippery mucus (cervical mucus method); and abdominal cramps. In addition, the temperature method is also used.

In recent years, new family planning methods have been developed. The most accurate one is a simple urine test that can be done daily in the home. A dip-stick measures the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. This hormone has a surge 28 to 36 hours before ovulation. Researchers found this test very accurate in predicting ovulation. This method also reduces the number of days abstinence is required. However, other tests on saliva were only accurate 30 percent of the time. The saliva methods should not be used for natural family planning.

Advantages to natural family planning:

it is safe
costs nothing, except for books or counseling about the method
a woman learns a lot about her body cycles and changes
can help plan and prevent pregnancies
partners are encouraged to work together and develop better communication
enjoyment and spontaneity of sex; not having to use barrier methods or devices
no medicines or devices to cause health risks, such as birth control pills or IUD
acceptable to most religions and
there are no medicines, chemicals, or devices necessary

Disadvantages to natural family planning:

a complete understanding of the method is required
self-discipline is needed to chart signs of fertility and to observe the rules
it cannot be used for several months while gathering baseline information
it restricts spontaneous sex
up to 15 days a month may be unsafe for sex
self-control is required on those days a woman may be fertile
there is a higher risk of pregnancy than other birth control methods
some women cannot use it, especially if periods are irregular, and
it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases

Natural family planning requires very careful record keeping, a lot of planning, and commitment. The male partner must be involved, and willing to observe periods when sex is unsafe. It is not a safe or good method to use for people with more than one sex partner.

There are classes available for couples who choose to use natural family planning methods. This form of birth control should not be attempted until both partners have had the class, and are comfortable with following it.

For more information on family planning, contact your healthcare provider or the following organizations:

National Women's Health Information Center sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services at www.4woman.gov or call (800) 994-WOMAN
EngenderHealth, a non-profit organization dedicated to making reproductive health care accessible to women and men around the world, at www.engenderhealth.org

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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