Natural Family Planning
What Is It?
A variety of methods to help detect when to avoid sex during the fertile days of a woman’s cycle
How Does It Work?
Users abstain from sex on fertile days to prevent egg and sperm from meeting
How Is It Used?
Meet with a qualified family planning clinician for specific details on the following: Observing and charting daily signs of fertility or ovulation (release of egg)
Basal Body Temperature Method:
- Temperature taken and charted each day
- Cervical Mucus Method: Mucus is checked for signs of ovulation
- Sympto-Thermal Method: Combines both methods above, with checking position of cervix
Effectiveness:
85%
Benefits:
- No health risks or side effects
- Can be used to determine fertile days if pregnancy is wanted
- Responsibility is shared by couple
Possible Concerns:
- Abstinence is required on fertile days
- Fertility may be difficult for some women to identify
- Records of signs have to be kept
DOES NOT REDUCE THE RISK OF HIV/AIDS OR STDs
