Whenever the topic of NFP as a method of avoiding pregnancy comes up in conversation, people who are uneducated about it generally like to throw around a lot of misconceptions that make it seem less appealing. I wish to not only dispel some of these myths, but to give truths to anyone who is interested in learning about NFP. Let's call this NFP in a nutshell.
So what are some common misconceptions?
1. It isn't reliable
This is probably the biggest one that scares people away. And if it were the truth, I couldn't blame them. However, when used correctly, many NFP methods are actually just as effective as artificial forms of birth control (sometimes even more effective). Keep in mind, NFP is not the same as the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). Both are natural methods of avoiding pregnancy via knowing a woman's fertility signs, however with NFP, couples abstain during fertile times while FAM allows for barrier methods such as condoms during fertile times. These statistics apply to NFP, as FAM adds a small level of unreliability. With NFP, when couples abstain during fertile times, there is literally no way for a sperm to meet a viable egg, as intercourse is not happening. This is not the case with FAM.
Contrary to popular belief, NFP is not the rhythm method. The rhythm method assumes each woman has a 28 day cycle and ovulates on day 14. Because every woman and her body is different, this leads to a lot of unplanned pregnancies and also gives NFP a bad name. The rhythm method only relies on a calendar whereas NFP relies on the signs a woman's body gives when she is fertile. MANY medical statistics show NFP to be unreliable because it is very often is bundled with the rhythm method.
Here are a few more links to back up the reliability of NFP:
http://www.creightonmodel.com/effectiveness.htm
http://www.boma-usa.org/faq.php?page=6
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070221065200.htm
2. It's a hassle
I won't pretend learning NFP is as easy as snapping your fingers. However, once you chose a method that works for you and your spouse (more listed later in this post), it truly becomes second nature, which I can attest by experience. By educating yourself in your chosen method and with a few months of practice, not only does it become second nature, it becomes empowering. I personally feel very self-aware when I am able to pinpoint when my ovulation day is coming and sure enough, that is when it happens.
3. You can't do NFP if you have irregular cycles.
This could not be further from the truth. I personally have had cycles that range anywhere from 30 days to 35. When trying to conceive the child I am currently pregnant with, my average ovulation day was cycle day 17 on any given cycle. With that cycle, I actually ovulated on day 21. By knowing the signs of my body approaching ovulation (or lack thereof in this case), I knew that I would be ovulating later. Because I was so in tune with my body, we were still able to time our "lovin' time" appropriately and conceived our daughter. The bonus to knowing my cycles was that her due date is much more accurate than the week earlier the doctors wanted to pinpoint because my last menstrual period said so.
If your cycles are extremely sporadic, the other bonus to NFP is that, with the help of medical professionals, you will likely be able to diagnose the underlying cause of the irregularities using your charts. With the proper diagnosis, treatment can be possible.
4. It doesn't work while I am breastfeeding/postpartum
NFP methods actually have a specific postpartum protocol that give women the tools to understand the return of their cycles after giving birth. An instructor in your chosen method will be able to guide you through the process.
5. I have PCOS/endometriosis/another reproductive condition that won't work with NFP
Many women feel they NEED to be on the pill in order to treat PCOS or other reproductive conditions and also to avoid pregnancy. Like mentioned above, the beauty of NFP is that it can often help diagnose the underlying cause of things like PCOS, therefore knowing how to treat it, rather than just put a metaphorical bandaid on it to cover up the symptoms via artificial birth control. With the help of a Napro doctor, a woman can chart her cycles to find out any underlying causes of any reproductive issues and treat them.
6. It takes the spontaneity out of sex
A woman is actually only able to theoretically conceive 6 days out of any given cycle due to the lifespan of sperm as well as her egg once it is released. In using NFP properly, couples are expected to abstain during those times. While the idea of required abstinence during any given cycle has some couples running the other way, just keep a few things in mind. Firstly, the other 3-4 weeks of a woman's cycle is WIDE open for intercourse at any time. And without having to worry about pills or condoms, it's actually more spontaneous. It can be quite the mood killer to stop mid-canoodling and say, "honey, can you grab a condom" and take the few seconds to put it on properly. Secondly, I find that "dry week" to be quite the anticipation builder. Not only that, it teaches couples how to build intimacy in ways other than sex. Anticipation can be quite the turn on!
7. I'm not religious so why would I want to use NFP?
There are MANY non-religious benefits to NFP:
1. It is 100% natural. Unlike artificial forms of birth control, there are zero risks of side effects like cancer, stroke, blood clots, weight gain, headaches, decreased sex drive....you name it. The side effects of artificial birth control can literally kill you. Even the World Health Organization has classified the pill as a class one carcinogen (in the same category as asbestos and cigarettes).
2. Not only can NFP be used to effectively avoid pregnancy, it can switch to helping a couple achieve pregnancy in a snap. The bonus to NFP is a couple can change from avoiding to trying at any given time without having to wait a few cycles for the hormone to leave the woman's body.
3. Once you learn it, most methods are 100% free of cost. Generally the only start up cost (again depending on method) will be that of an instructor and maybe a good thermometer. Unlike the pill or other forms of artificial birth control, you don't need to keep getting more pills, implants, patches, shots, condoms, etc.
4. As mentioned above, NFP can help a woman with any reproductive issues diagnose and treat said issues.
5. Couples who use NFP have a MUCH lower divorce rate than couples who do not (3% vs 50%). This can be attributed to many different factors, however the very "science" of NFP requires couples to communicate with one another and to find different ways to be intimate, especially during fertile windows. That can definitely play a large role in that rate.
The Most Common Methods
There are many different methods of Natural Family Planning. Depending on any couple's given scenario, some methods may work better than others. This quiz can help you figure out which one could be best for you.
1. Creighton
The Creighton Method is a mucus-only method of NFP. Women check their cervical mucus any time they use the restroom and record the sensation, stretchability and color. A chart is used to lay out mucus patterns as well as bio markers to know when a woman is fertile or infertile. It can also be used in conjunction with NaPro technology/doctors to diagnose and treat underlying reproductive issues.
2. Billings
The Billings Ovulation Method is similar to Creighton in that it is a mucus-only method. The protocols and "rules" do vary, however.
3. Marquette
The Marquette Method uses an at-home monitor that measures a woman's LH levels to identify her peak fertile times. This method does require the purchase of a monitor and the continual purchase of test strips.
4. Sympto-Thermal
The Sympto-Thermal Method uses a combination of basal body temperature (taken upon waking), mucus signs, as well as cervical positioning/opening to determine ovulation.
Each method has its pros and cons, but women often use two methods in conjunction with one another as a kind of "cross check". We used the Sympto-Thermal method the first few years of our marriage. We were able to successfully avoid before deciding to try for our first child and then conceived within three months of trying. Once he was born, we used that same method again until we started trying to get pregnant when he was about 9 months old. Six months later we were pregnant with our baby girl. Once this baby is born, we intend to be a little more "strict" in trying to avoid for awhile, so we will be combining Marquette with Sympto-Thermal.
The major bonus to Sympto-Thermal over other methods is that the temperatures can confirm ovulation after the fact. This can allow a woman (if comfortable) to take a break from charting until her period arrives. However, for the temperatures to work, the woman needs to take her temperature at the same time every day immediately upon waking. This can get tricky for a woman who doesn't wake at the same time every day.
Marquette is nice because it is considered a little more "idiot-proof" in that you have a monitor backing up what you are interpreting with your signs. However, it can get a little expensive between buying the monitor and continuing to buy the test strips.
Creighton and Billings are great because they rely mostly on mucous which is something that isn't generally affected by outside factors like stress, changes in sleep patterns, etc. However, ovulation cannot be confirmed in any given cycle, so constant monitoring is crucial.
I know I've done a ton of "talking up" NFP, but I won't pretend it doesn't have its drawbacks. It does take time, effort and self control in order to reach the optimum efficacy. Every woman is different, so there is no guarantee every method will work for every woman either. It requires open communication between spouses, as well as times of abstinence. Depending on the "severity" of the need to avoid pregnancy as well as a woman's ability to decipher her fertile signs, some couples may require more abstinence than others in order to continue to avoid pregnancy.
Nonetheless, Natural Family Planning is an effective and natural way to avoid pregnancy, achieve pregnancy and help to diagnose reproductive issues. I spent many years of my life on hormonal contraception but I can safely say I will NEVER go back. NFP can just as effectively avoid pregnancy without "breaking" my reproductive system and making it switch from natural function to disfunction induced by synthetic hormones. I have seen the benefits of NFP on my health, life, and marriage. A great resource for any more question is this site, as well as an NFP-friendly doctor or NFP instructor.
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