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The Natural Family Planning Method
The Natural Family Planning Method
Natural family planning(NFP) is the method that uses the body’s natural physiological
changes and symptoms to identify the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. Such
methods are also known as fertility-based awareness methods.
Once a month an egg is released from one of a woman’s ovaries (ovulation). It can stay
alive in uterus for about 24 hours. Men can always produce sperm cells, and these can stay alive
in the female reproductive system for about two to five days after being deposited in the vagina
during sexual intercourse. This means women have certain time during their cycle when they are
unlikely to conceive, whereas men have no “safe period.”
Natural family planning methods are generally the preferred contraceptive method for
women who do not wish to use artificial methods of contraception for reasons of religion, or who,
due to rumors or myths, fear other methods.
However, natural family planning methods are unreliable in preventing unwanted
pregnancy. It also takes time to practice and use NFP properly; and this adds to it’s unreliability.
Moreover, natural family planning methods do not protect a person against sexually transmitted
diseases (STD’s), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The effectiveness of any method of natural family planning varies from couple to couple.
All these methods become less effective if couples do not follow the method carefully:
Disadvantages
Birth control health risks
Some form of birth control pose health concerns for women and men, such as allergies
to spermicides or latex. For some women, oral contraceptives can lead to hair loss and weight
gain, and the use of diaphragms can lead to urinary tract infection.
Possibility of pregnancy
Family planning methods are not one hundred percent reliable. Other than abstinence,
there is no birth control method (including the natural rhythm method) that is completely
effective. Couples who are engaging in sexual activity should always consider the possibility
of an unexpected pregnancy.