1. Birth Control Made Natural
There are several options for women who want to try natural birth control techniques. The rhythm method is one of the oldest forms of natural birth control, but also one of the least effective. The Standard Days Method, which involves a woman counting the days of her period to know which days are safe to have sex and which ones aren't, is one of the easiest, least expensive and most effective of the natural family planning practices. Other methods include the ovulation method, the sympto-thermal method, fertility computers and basal body temperature charting.
2. Consult a Doctor or Natural Family Planning Expert
Most natural forms of birth control require training and practice before you can use them as viable methods of preventing unwanted pregnancies. Your health care provider can provide you with more information on the various types of natural family planning available, as well as, train you in the proper practice of whatever method you choose. There are also natural family planning experts that train couples on proper techniques for natural birth control methods. Contact your local pregnancy resources center to find experts in your area.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
Perfect practice of natural birth control techniques is shown to have the same effectiveness of other forms of birth control. If, however, you aren't practicing this form of birth control correctly and consistently, your chances of getting pregnant greatly increase. Natural birth control methods work best when a woman is in a long-term committed relationship. Both partners have to be involved for behavioral methods of birth control to work. The cooperative nature of natural birth control methods mean no one partner is solely responsible for pregnancy prevention.
4. Benefits Abound
Natural forms of birth control have many advantages over other methods of contraceptives. First and probably most important, there are no chemicals, drugs or hormones to be taken and the methods are relatively low in cost compared to more traditional methods of birth control. They are non-invasive, as no surgery is required to make these methods work and women will have a better understanding of their body and how it works after learning and practicing natural birth control techniques. Also, natural birth control practices can be used if a couple is trying to conceive or prevent a pregnancy.
5. Drawbacks Also Exist
The biggest drawback of natural birth control methods is they don't protect against sexually transmitted disease. So, it is important to use condoms if you aren't in a long-term committed relationship. Also, some of the natural birth control options can seem complicated and time consuming, such as basal body temperature charting. This method requires a woman to take her temperature at the same time every day and chart it accordingly, so it discourages some couples from trying natural birth control or giving up once they start.
