Natural family planning is a term that describes several different methods of birth control. These methods rely on the fact that women can only become pregnant around the time of ovulation. During this fertile period, women display certain physical signs that signal the arrival and departure of fertility. Couples prevent pregnancy by observing these signs and then avoiding unprotected intercourse during the woman's fertile period. Natural family planning methods are also commonly known as fertility awareness methods.
Methods
Several different methods fall under the umbrella of natural family planning. The temperature method allows a woman to monitor her fertility by taking her temperature immediately upon waking in the morning. The cervical mucus method relies on tracking changes in a woman's cervical mucus. The symptothermal method utilizes both waking temperature, cervical mucus and other optional fertility signs. The calendar method, or rhythm method, requires a woman to record the dates of her menstrual cycles for six months and then use this data to determine her fertile period. The symptothermal method is generally considered to be the most reliable of these methods and consequently is usually the method that most natural family planning organizations endorse.
Users
Natural family planning methods have long been popular with couples who don't use other methods of contraception for religious reasons. Natural family planning also appeals to women who aren't satisfied with barrier methods but wish to avoid taking artificial hormones. Fertility awareness can also be useful for couples who wish to boost the effectiveness of their chosen barrier method.
Effectiveness
Natural family planning's effectiveness at preventing pregnancy is controversial. According to Planned Parenthood, out of 100 couples who don't always use the method correctly, between 12 and 25 will become pregnant in a year. The Center for Young Women's Health argues that, even with perfect use, natural family planning is only 91 to 98 percent effective. According to BBC News, however, a 2007 study conducted by researchers at a German university found that couples who used the symptothermal method perfectly enjoyed an effectiveness rate of more than 99 percent, leading researchers to conclude that properly practiced natural family planning is as effective as hormonal contraception.
Advantages
Because natural family planning does not require any medications or devices, it is completely safe and causes no side effects. Natural family planning is also very low cost and convenient once a couple becomes familiar with the rules. If a couple later decides to pursue a pregnancy, conception may be easier to attain because they will be well educated in determining the timing of ovulation.
Disadvantages
Fertility awareness-based methods are not suitable for everyone. For the method to be effective, both partners need to be completely committed to observing fertility signs and abstaining from unprotected intercourse during the woman's fertile period. This can be difficult for some couples. Because it doesn't provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections, natural family planning is generally unsuited for women who have more than one sex partner. Natural family planning may also be difficult for women who display ambiguous fertility signs as a result of medication or disease.
