Natural Family Planning (NFP)

Natural Family Planning is a method of avoiding pregnancy without using any contraception, in other words couples using this method avoid intimacy and intercourse at the time of women's menstrual periods that are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. NFP excludes the use of birth control, as well as all orgasmic acts outside of those ending in unprotected vaginal intercourse with the user's spouse.

Currently, there are two methods of natural family planning. The first is the ovulation method. In this method, the days just before and just after ovulation are determined by checking the woman's cervical mucus. When a woman is most likely to become pregnant, the cervical mucus is stretchy, clear and slick. Some people say that the cervical mucus during this time looks and feels much like an uncooked egg white.

The second method is called the symptothermal method. With this method, the woman takes her temperature each day with a special thermometer and writes it down on a chart. At the time of ovulation, a woman's temperature will rise slightly. The woman also checks the consistency of her cervical mucus. She may also notice other changes, such as pain in the area of the ovaries, bloating, low backache and breast tenderness. In both methods, couples use a special chart to keep track of the changes in the woman's body.

Besides that there are no side effects associated with NFP. NFP has none of the side effects associated with hormonal methods and spermicides, nor the need for specific action in preparation for each act of intercourse required by barrier methods.

Natural Family Planning methods can be free or very low-cost. Some methods encourage the use of a thermometer and/or photocopied charts, which can be obtained relatively inexpensively. Some couples choose to use software or to use other devices such as a string of beads for counting the days. These methods can be very effective if the couple receives the training from a specialist and carefully follow the instructions. However, if a couple doesn't follow the instructions completely, these methods will be much less effective. In practice, these methods may not be as reliable as other forms of birth control. But, it is important to note that NFP does not protect against sexually transmitted disease.