Natural family planning involves natural methods for couples to gauge the best times for sexual intercourse, whether they want to have a child or are trying to avoid pregnancy. The effectiveness of these methods depends on your ability to recognize body changes during ovulation, when an egg is released from an ovary during a woman's menstrual cycle. Ovulation marks the most likely time for you to become pregnant, and the signs that accompany it can be subtle, requiring training and diligence in charting. These methods have no physical side effects, but some issues must be considered if you choose them for birth control.
Types
There are three types of natural family planning, or NFP. The mucus method is based on the characteristics of your cervical mucus throughout your menstrual cycle. When you ovulate, your mucus discharge is clear, stretchy and thin. The symptothermal method requires you to chart your daily basal body temperature, which is your temperature upon awakening in the morning, before getting out of bed. Just before and during ovulation, the temperature rises slightly, approximately 0.9 degrees, according to Family Doctor. The third type is the rhythm method, which relies on calendar days to determine fertility. The rhythm method counts day 14 as ovulation day. This method is the most unreliable, as many women are not perfectly regular with their monthly cycles; they may menstruate on day 27 one month and day 32 the next.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be a devastating side effect if a couple does not wish to get pregnant for personal, financial or physical reasons. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, one in four couples who use NFP become pregnant. ACOG stresses the importance of using natural methods exactly as outlined or the likelihood of pregnancy rises. An unwanted pregnancy can result in marital difficulties, stress-related health problems, financial strains and emotional hardships. Many children have been born under the stigma of being called an accident. Though parents may tell the story in a humorous manner, the child may feel unwanted, knowing he was not planned for. This can be a lifelong factor in a child's self-worth.
Loss of Spontaneity
These methods of NFP are all based on timing. This takes away from the spontaneous pleasure of intercourse--making love when the feelings of intimacy are present, the physical urge is strong or when romance sweeps you off your feet and lands you in the bedroom. The closeness that intercourse can bring is placed on hold. When the timing is right for sex, these feelings of love, desire and intimacy may not be present. Planning when you are going to have intercourse may be exciting as you anticipate and prepare for it, or it may take the fun and joy out of it for many people.
Times You Can't Use NFP
It is unreliable to count on temperature increases as an effective way of birth control if you are experiencing illness, thyroid issues or any other conditions that increase your natural thermostat. NFP is also unreliable if you have irregular periods, spotting during your cycle, vaginitis or cervicitis--inflammation of vagina and cervix--or if you take antibiotics, thyroid medication or antihistamines. These medications alter natural vaginal secretions and make reading them impossible.
