Comments on: Natural Family Planning

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:45:13 +0000

I follow NFP, and although I may be higher than “average” intelligence, it really is pretty straigh-forward once you go through the class. You take your temperature in the morning, track in on a chart and pay attention to your mucus. Once you track a cycle or two (which you can receive help on if you do the class) it’s pretty easy from there.

Not to mention it’s a lot healthier for you than putting all those hormones in your body. If you are trying to get pregnant, NFP says nearly all couples get pregnant within 3 months of following the guidelines. There is also a focus on nutrition, if there are problems with your temperature, mucus, or cycle. I had an issue that was corrected with adding certain nutrients to my diet – a problem my Dr. told me to not worry about until I wanted to get pregnant, then they could put me on Clomid.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 08:45:50 +0000

Jim

I don’t think I was suggesting anyone follow my quick summary of the rules, I was merely reporting on the recent research results on the subject from the Heidelberg team, but thanks for your comment, hopefully your links will provide useful information for visitors with an interest in NFP.

By: Jim Van Damme

Jim Van Damme — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:26:19 +0000

Several peer-reviewed studies on methods of modern NFP have verified the effectiveness. Some go back 20 years. Check out http://nfpsite.aldred.org/effect.html. In fact, some pills lately have had reduced effectiveness because of harmful side effects of higher dosages of artificial hormones.
I’d advise not following Mr. Bradley’s quick summary of the rules below, but reading a book or going to a class. It will become clear how to chart, find fertile times, and the scientific background. BTW there are several types of NFP and many providers. See nfp.freehostia.com for info and resources on all methods.

By: DV82XL

DV82XL — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 20:28:42 +0000

So a way to beat the house in Vatican roulette is it?

Sounds a bit complex for the average couple. Good science if the results hold. However they are extraordinarily good, to the point that I would like to see some verification.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:09:07 +0000

STM identifies the beginning and end of a woman’s fertile period based on body temperature and cervical secretions. The first fertile day is when the woman first identifies either: 1) first appearance or change of appearance of cervical secretion, or 2) the sixth day of the cycle. After 12 cycles, this second guideline is replaced by a calculation that subtracts seven days from the earliest day to show a temperature rise in the preceding 12 cycles, in order to identify the first fertile day. The woman is then in her fertile period. The fertile phase ends after the woman has identified: 1) the evening of the third day after the cervical secretion peak day, and 2) the evening when the woman measures the third higher temperature reading, with all three being higher than the previous six readings and the last one being 0.2 degrees C higher than the previous six.

It’s rather complicated and it’s quite a wonder that success rates reported are so high, much easier to pop the pill. But for women and coupled who want to avoid hormonal contraception and are willing to do the science, it seems like an entirely viable method.