Fertility Awareness & Natural Family Planning
What it is . . .
Also known as 'fertility awareness', Natural Family Planning is a method of birth control that uses the menstrual cycle to predict your most fertile time of the month - that is when you are most likely to get pregnant.
How it works . . .
Fertility awareness birth control methods are based on the fact that:
- sperm may live in a female reproductive tract for up to 7 days
- the female egg lives for only a day
- fertilization may occur even days after intercourse
- 'safe days' occur 2 days after ovulation and continue until your next period
Who shouldn't use it . . .
- if you have a partner who is not willing to cooperate
- if you do not have regular, steady monthly cycle
- you are not willing to invest the time/effort required to learn about fertility awareness methods
What are the side effects . . .
There are no side effects.
Effectiveness rates. . .
The Natural Family Planning method may be trickier than some methods of birth control.
Typical use: 85%
Perfect use: 95%
Where to get it . . .
There are several methods of determining which are the most fertile days of your cycle. Talking to your doctor
about what method that is best suited for you, including:
Calendar Rhythm Method: Requires that you keep track
of your cycle for a few months to determine your own individual pattern
of ovulation. The pattern will help you keep track of when is most
'dangerous' to have sexual intercourse.
Basal Body Temperature Method: Involves keeping track of your body temperature so that you can tell when you are ovulating. Body temperature rises two days after ovulation.
Ovulation Method: Requires you to check your cervical mucus to determine the time of ovulation.
Symptothermal Method: A combination of the first two methods.
Ovulation Predictor Kits: Available at the drugstore, these kits are used to test your urine to identify hormones that indicate ovulation is about to occur.
Cost . . .
Generally there is no extra cost to this method except for ovulation kits which are approximately $50 per month.