Natural family planning can help you avoid pregnancy without any side effects or long term effects. However, this method is not one of the reliable methods of birth control. Read on to learn about family planning through natural birth control.Natural contraception can help women avoid pregnancy provided they are aware of their ovulation cycle and fertile days. This includes recognising the signs and symptoms of fertility during the menstrual cycle. This helps women plan or avoid pregnancy.
There are many aspects of
natural birth control methods. The most effective method is to recognise the signs and symptoms of fertility that rise and fall with the natural hormonal changes that occur within each menstrual cycle.
Natural Contraception Facts
Have a quick look at the natural birth control facts.
- Depending on the methods used and how the instructions are followed, natural contraception can help avoid pregnancy up to 99%.
- If instructions are not followed properly, the chances go down to 75%.
- There are no physical side effects or any long term effect. So, you can use the method to plan or avoid pregnancy.
- You need to keep a record of the signs and fertility signals of your body on daily basis and it takes about 3 – 6 menstrual cycles to recognise them.
- You should also be aware that the fertility signs vary during illness, stress or travel.
- If you want to have sex during prime fertility days, you will have to take help of artificial contraceptive methods.
How Natural Contraception Methods Prevent Pregnancy
The aim of natural contraception is to
prevent pregnancy by avoiding sex during woman’s fertile period. This family planning method helps you assess your fertile days so that you can avoid pregnancy by not having sex during these days.
Though, it is important that you get proper instruction and training so that you are sure about the instructions included in this method, three fertility indicators are mentioned here to increase efficiency of the natural family planning for you.
Calculating Ovulation
Menstrual cycle starts from the first day of your period and lasts the day before your next period starts. Usually the length of this cycle is 24 to 35 days. It may be longer or shorter depending upon the physical fitness of a woman. Normally, the length of the cycle is 28 days.
Ovulation occurs roughly halfway through a woman’s menstrual cycle. It can be around 10 to 16 days before the start of your next period. Since the ovulation varies in women, it is important you take into account the uncertainty over when you ovulate.
Make sure your calculations are as precise as possible because a sperm lives in a woman’s body up to 7 days and a sperm needs an egg to fertilise so that pregnancy happens. A woman may experience few days of wet sensation in her vagina where she also feels or sees mucus. This clears away after ovulation and the vagina feels drier after that.
Most Fertile Days
The
fertile days start from the first day of experiencing mucus or wetness in vagina to the time mucus has dried up. Only when a woman’s menstrual cycle does not follow a specific pattern, finding ovulation days is more difficult. Just like other family planning methods, proper coordination, motivation, intention and cooperation between the partners is very important for effectiveness and success of this method.
Methods of Natural Birth Control
Have a quick look the common natural birth control method used for planning or avoiding a pregnancy.
Temperature Method
In the temperature method a woman takes her basal body temperature every day immediately after waking up in the morning. If there is a rise in temperature, it means that ovulation has passed. If the waking temperature is higher for three consequent days it confirms the passing of ovulation days and arrival of less fertile days.
Lactation Amenorrhea Method
A woman, who has just given birth to a child and is breastfeeding exclusively, can make use of this lactation amenorrhea method. This method is said to be highly effective for six months after childbirth. Also, it is effective only if the menstrual cycle of the woman has not returned to normal till that time.
Withdrawal Method
In this method the man withdraws his penis before ejaculation while having sex. Since this method is risky and requires patience, you need to talk to your partner beforehand. Also, this method is not very effective because there may be sperms in pre-ejaculation which may lead to pregnancy.
Abstinence
In abstinence, many couples avoid vaginal intercourse in order to prevent
unwanted pregnancy. This method has minimal risk and there are no physical side effects also.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural Birth Control Methods
Have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of natural birth control methods.
Advantages
- There are no side effects.
- Acceptable to all religions and culture.
- No involvement of physical or chemical products.
- It enhances closeness and trust between couples.
Disadvantages
- Does not protect from STIs.
- Cannot have sex for up to 16 days in some months.
- Keep daily records.
- Some factors disrupt fertility signs.
- It is not one of the reliable methods of contraception.
- If period is missed, possibility of pregnancy cannot be ruled out.
It needs commitment and practice to use natural contraception effectively because you need to follow the instructions very carefully. To reduce your risk of accidental pregnancy, it is advisable to gather details about natural family planning from a suitable teacher and follow the instructions and advice properly and accurately.
What is natural birth control method? How to calculate ovulation for natural family planning? What are the various ways to track the most fertile days of the month? Discuss here. 
