Natural Family Planning

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a highly effective means by which couples can determine times of fertility and infertility to enable them to make informed reproductive choices. It is NOT the “old calendar rhythm method,” which is no longer being taught. There are different forms of natural family planning — the Sympto-Thermal Method, the Billings Ovulation Method, and the Creighton Model, to name a few — but they all teach couples to look for the natural signs of fertility and infertility that women exhibit during their menstrual cycle.

Why does the Pregnancy Counseling Center encourage the use of Natural Family Planning?

1. It’s effective. Studies have shown that it can be 96-99% effective in helping couples avoid a pregnancy. That’s as effective as the Pill, and MORE EFFECTIVE than barrier methods such as the condom or diaphragm.

2. It’s healthy and safe. Most artificial forms of contraceptives carry some significant health risks: developments of allergies, headaches, weight gain, decreased sex drive, increased risks of certain cancers, strokes, even death. NFP does not use powerful, unnecessary hormones to prevent or delay pregnancy, like the Pill, the Patch, or Depo-Provera. Rather, women simply learn to recognize the signs of fertility and infertility that their bodies normally exhibit during the menstrual cycle.

3. It can be used at any stage of a woman’s reproductive life. NFP can be used for women who are breastfeeding, premenopausal, or have irregular cycles. It can be used to avoid OR to achieve a pregnancy.

4. It’s inexpensive. Condoms, birth control pills, and other forms of contraceptives can end up costing a lot of money over the course of one year. Once a couple learns natural family planning, however, they can use the method throughout their entire reproductive lives. Couples who suffer from infertility have found some forms of natural family planning much more effective, safer, and cheaper than artificial reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination.

5. It keeps couples close. NFP requires good communication between the couple. Couples who use NFP tend to have very low divorce rates.

Do you have questions about Natural Family Planning?
We would be happy to answer your questions! You may email us at NFP@pregnanthelp4u.org

Want to learn more?
More information about Natural Family Planning can be found online:

The California Association of Natural Family Planning has excellent information about the various types of natural family planning methods. They have an “Ask the Expert” column, and lists of teachers in California to help you get started learning NFP. Their website is www.canfp.org

You can also find out more about the different types of NFP methods at the following links:

For the Creighton Model: www.popepaulvi.com
For the Sympto-Thermal Method: www.ccli.org
For the Billings Ovulation Method: www.boma-usa.org
For the Family of the Americas: www.familyplanning.org
For Northwest Family Services: www.nwfs.org

The Pill

THESE DO NOT PROTECT AGAINST  SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Most birth control methods do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), nor is there any birth control that is 100% reliable in preventing pregnancy.

THE PILL:
The pill is a tablet containing two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.  It acts in three ways:
1.) Stops ovulation each month
2.) Thickens the secretions around the cervix making it more difficult for the sperm to get through.
3.) Thins the lining of the womb so that it is less receptive to the fertilized egg.

MINI-PILL:
Contains only one hormone, progesterone, but it works similar to and has the same side effects as the birth control pill which contains both progesterone and estrogen.

You may have more serious side-effects if you have:
Obesity
Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Past history of phlebitis (vein inflammation)
Being immobile for a period of time, especially when having surgery
Family history of thrombosis or similar illness

Family history of breast cancer
Being a smoker

History of migrane headaches

Side Effects:
Headache
Nausea
Breast Tenderness

Weight Gain

Supressed immune system

Serious Side Effects:
Deep vein thrombosis
Heart Attack
Stroke
Pulmonary embolism
Endometrial interference
Liver Damage/liver cancer
Breast cancer

Cervical cancer
Infertility

CALL 911 OR CONTACT YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF:
You experience any of the following:  Shortness of breath; sudden abdominal, arm, or chest pain; severe headache; sudden vision changes (blurred or seeing double); skin or eye jaundice; depression; leg pain or swelling.

Condoms

Most birth control methods do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), nor is there any birth control that is 100% reliable in preventing pregnancy.


WHAT ARE THEY?
A condom is a device usually made of latex, or more recently polyurethane, that is used during intercourse.  It is placed on a man’s penis and physically blocks the ejaculation from entering the woman’s urterus.  Condoms do not provide protection against STDs that are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact (for example: HPV and herpes).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the manufacture and sale of condoms in the United States.  The recommended label for condoms includes a pregnancy rate for each year of use of 14% for condoms used “typically” and 3% if they are used exactly as directed every time without fail.

RISKS:
Condoms can break, crack, slip, leak, and be applied too late.  Heat can damage them (example: hip pocket, wallets, glove compartments and vending machines).

Condoms do not provide complete protection from STD’s or pregnancy.  STD infections can occur in either males or females whether or not a condom is used.

The Contraceptive Patch and
Intra-Uterine Device

THESE DO NOT PROTECT AGAINST  SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES


Most birth control methods do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), nor is there any birth control that is 100% reliable in preventing pregnancy.


INTRA-UTERINE DEVICE (IUD)

The IUD is an object that is placed inside the uterus by a physician

HOW DOES IT WORK:
Does not prevent ovulation.  It’s presence in the uterus and the hormone progesterone it releases alters the fluids in the womb and the lining of the womb.  The presence of the IUD irritates the lining of the womb thus making it inhospitable to a new human life. The newly conceived baby cannot attach to the wall of the womb and is aborted.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Septic abortion – infection that can cause high fever, endometriosis and other complications
Continuation of pregnancy – dangerous for baby and mother
Ectopic pregnancy – this may be fatal if not discovered in time
Pelvic Infection
Imbedding in uterine wall
Perforation of uterine wall or cervix
Perforation of  urinary bladder
Spontaneous abortion
Backache
Copper toxicity (if IUD is made out of copper)
Anemia
Pain during ovulation
Risk of infertility

THE CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH

Acts in a similar way to the pill.  Releases a combination of estrogen and progesterone through the skin.  The Food and Drug Administration has cautioned women that the patch carries a higher risk of blood clots than birth control pills.

You may have more serious side-effects if you have:
Obesity
Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Past history of phlebitis (vein inflammation)
Being immobile for a period of time, especially when having surgery
Family history of thrombosis or similar illness

Family history of breast cancer
Being a smoker

History of migrane headaches

Side Effects:
Headache
Nausea
Breast Tenderness

Weight Gain

Supressed immune system

Serious Side Effects:
Deep vein thrombosis
Heart Attack
Stroke
Pulmonary embolism
Endometrial interference
Liver Damage/liver cancer
Breast cancer

Cervical cancer
Infertility

CALL 911 OR CONTACT YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF:
You experience any of the following:  Shortness of breath; sudden abdominal, arm, or chest pain; severe headache; sudden vision changes (blurred or seeing double); skin or eye jaundice; depression; leg pain or swelling.

Depoprovera

Most birth control methods do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), nor is there any birth control that is 100% reliable in preventing pregnancy.



WHAT IS IT:
Injectable method of birth control.  It is a long acting man-made hormone

DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE

SOME SIDE EFFECTS:
Thrombosis (heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism)
Excessive Bleeding
Temporary or permanent sterility
Potential damage to future children
Increase risk of cervical or breast cancer
Headaches
Irregular cycles
Abdominal discomfort
Anxiety
Nervousness
Adrenal Gland suppression
Weight Gain
Mental depression
Allergic reaction
HOW IT WORKS:
1. Stops ovulation

2. Thickens the secretions around the cervix making it more difficult for the sperm to get through

3. Thins the lining of the womb so that it is less receptive to the fertilized egg