Natural contraception is a form of birth control in which you use signs from your own body to determine when you are fertile. Also referred to as the fertility awareness method or natural family planning, the method requires commitment and diligence, but offers several benefits over other forms of birth control.
How It Works
Natural family planning requires you to identify the day that you ovulate. After ovulation, an egg can live for 12 to 24 hours. Because sperm can live in your body for as long as five days, you should also consider yourself fertile for five days before ovulation. If you use natural family planning, you must either abstain from intercourse during your fertile phase or use a barrier method such as condoms.
Types
Your body produces several symptoms that indicate ovulation has occurred or is about to occur. The Billings ovulation method, also called the cervical mucus method or the ovulation method, involves examining changes in your cervical fluid to determine the date of ovulation. For several days before ovulation, vaginal secretions increase and progress from a milky, sticky substance to a clear, stretchy fluid.
The basal body temperature method involves taking your temperature every morning. The day after ovulation, increases in the hormone progesterone should cause a slight increase in basal body temperature. Because this increase is noticeable only after ovulation has occurred, the basal body temperature method should not be relied on as a means of identifying the fertile phase, but can be used to confirm other methods.
Changes in cervical position can also indicate ovulation. During your fertile phase, the cervix rises and becomes softer. You can observe these changes by inserting a clean finger into your vagina. Try to check your cervix around the same time every day, and in the same position, either squatting or standing with one leg raised.
Benefits
Practicing fertility awareness allows you to avoid the risks and side effects associated with other forms of birth control such as hormonal methods or intrauterine devices. The fertility awareness method is also free. Natural family planning may also help you gain a better understanding of your body and your overall gynecological health. Natural contraception may also be a suitable method for you if you have religious objections to other forms of birth control.
Effectiveness
According to the Feminist Women's Health Center, between 2 and 20 percent of women using natural family planning methods for one year will become pregnant. Factors that may influence the effectiveness of natural family planning include your own dedication to the process, the length of time you have been practicing natural contraception and the regularity of your menstrual cycle.
Considerations
Natural family planning requires a daily commitment to observing changes in your body and must be practiced diligently in order for it to be effective as a means of birth control. Natural contraception does not prevent against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. You may wish to chart your symptoms for several months in order to gain a better understanding of your cycle before using natural family planning as your primary form of contraception.
