Natural Family Planning involves tracking female ovulation cycles and abstaining from sex to avoid pregnancy. This method implies in no way resorting to using barrier contraceptives or taking hormones.
Natural Family Planning was the contraceptive method used until the arrival of hormonal and barrier contraceptives in the 20th century. However, to this day, many couples continue to use natural contraceptive methods.
The basis for opting for them can be the financial difficulty of purchasing prophylactics or pills and medical recommendations or religious reasons.
To learn more about this subject, take advantage of the information below.
What is Natural Family Planning?
Natural family planning is the term used for natural birth control methods that do not involve any drugs or gimmicks. To prevent pregnancy, refrain from having sex during the most fertile days of the menstrual cycle, which should be determined accurately.
In addition, natural family planning requires strong commitment, cooperation, and motivation from both partners.
How effective is Natural Family Planning?
It is a myth that Natural Family Planning is ineffective. The reality is that NFP may be even more effective and safer than contraceptives. It is based, in fact, on the body’s natural processes, and, unlike artificial contraception, it works against it.
When used correctly, natural family planning can be 98-99 percent effective in delaying a pregnancy. But, of course, the Pill may be just as effective. Still, women using NFP can avoid worrying about the risks associated with the Pill, including those of breast cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, heart disease, ectopic pregnancies, and infections.
According to the World Health Organization, NFP has a potential success rate of 98.7 to 99.5%, and an overall success rate of 83-97%.
What are the Natural Family Planning methods?
The table method of calculating fertile days is not recommended for contraception as it is highly flawed.
The most reliable natural family planning method is the Symptothermal Method (also called the Mucothermal Method). It is a combination of two methods: temperature and cervical mucus observation.
To use this contraceptive method, you should track the changes in your cervical mucus and take your temperature every morning. You will use this information to determine which days you are fertile.
You shouldn’t have sex during your fertile days if you don’t want to get pregnant. Using this method, you will find that you should not have sex about 8-11 days a month.
How is the Symptothermal method used?
Observing the temperature and cervical mucus will allow you to precisely know the ovulation period. By understanding your body’s signs of fertility, you can predict when you are most likely to conceive each month.
Generally, you can have sex from the first day of your menstrual cycle (the day the bleeding starts) until you notice the first “wet” mucus. Then, avoid sexual intercourse again until you have observed 4 days of thick, consistent mucus or you realize that your temperature has been elevated for 3 days.
It is important to avoid sexual intercourse as soon as you observe the presence of watery mucus. The average lifespan of a spermatozoon is 3 days, which means it can remain active inside the body and pregnancy can occur.
When using this birth control method, remember that any illness, drugs, or alcohol can increase your body temperature. Also, be careful not to confuse watery mucus with semen.
To increase the effectiveness of this method, avoid having sex or using any other form of contraception during the first half of your menstrual cycle until your basal temperature has risen and stayed that way for 3 days.
The menstrual cycle length varies from woman to woman and can vary from month to month. Monitor your cervical mucus and temperature for 3-6 months before relying solely on natural family planning for contraception.
To prevent pregnancy during this 3-6 month period, use condoms or a diaphragm; these methods won’t affect your measurements. If you have irregular cycles, you should not use natural methods to prevent pregnancy.
In Conclusion
NFP constantly requires keeping track of the changes in the woman’s body, but the results are amazing. This method involves observing a woman’s body and adapting to its purpose, whether that be for delaying pregnancy or not. Natural Family Planning only needs a couple of minutes each day to monitor the wife’s data.
Natural Family Planning is not designed to control every aspect of married life. It encourages couples to demonstrate respect, self-control, and cooperation, which can result in positive changes in their finances and health. This can help couples to express their love in ways other than physical.
Planning, therefore, encourages romance. Several couples even say that despite the planning challenge, it is as if they enjoy a honeymoon every month. Another good thing about planning is that it is significantly cheaper than contraceptives.
Some couples even say that despite the planning challenge, it is as if they enjoy a honeymoon every month. Another good thing about planning is that it is significantly cheaper than contraceptives.
