NFP refers to a variety of natural methods for charting and managing fertility to either achieve or avoid pregnancy. Developed by the late Dr. John Billings and his wife Dr. Evelyn Billings as a morally acceptable family planning method for the Roman Catholic Church, NFP is now practiced in over 100 countries by couples of many different faiths and backgrounds.
There are multiple NFP methods, the most common and effective of which is the Sympto-thermal Method, which cross-checks various signs of fertility to identify the most fertile days of a woman’s cycle. To dispel the myth that NFP is simply the Rhythm Method remodeled, it is useful to point out that with perfect use, Sympto-thermal NFP is over 99% effective.
How does it work?
The Sympto-thermal Method works by combining multiple fertility measures to provide the most accurate picture of when a woman is fertile. In this method, the woman charts her basal body temperature, her cervical fluid changes, and her calendar cycle.
On the days a woman is potentially fertile, she can abstain from intercourse or attempt to conceive, depending on her family planning wishes. Users who do not object to barrier contraceptives can engage in protected intercourse during this time, but they must understand that the effectiveness of their birth control will then be that of whatever barrier method they are using (such as condoms) – not that of NFP.
Why might NFP be better than hormonal options?
NFP has several benefits over hormonal birth control methods, including the pill and many IUDs, though for some users it also has considerable drawbacks.
One such benefit is cost – NFP is free, while women using the pill (spending approximately $35 per month for the prescription) will spend over $8000 to use them for 20 years, not including exam costs or any health care expenses resulting from complications.
NFP is also hormone-free and immediately reversible. Because NFP does not require any changes to your body to work, it has no side effects and you can become pregnant simply by choosing not to abstain during fertile times. With many hormonal methods, however, women often need time (sometimes even several months) off the pill for their cycle to regulate itself before they can become pregnant. It is also common for women to experience a variety of negative side effects from different hormonal birth control methods before they find the best fit for them.
In addition, people who practice NFP can use it to conceive or avoid pregnancy, as opposed to simply preventing conception. Couples may also be able to identify potential health issues, such as infertility or pregnancy, much earlier than they would otherwise.
NFP may benefit your relationship, too. Studies on NFP users have reported divorce rates of only 0.2-5% among couples who use the method.
Drawbacks to NFP include limited days for intercourse when trying to avoid pregnancy, while hormonal methods allow intercourse during any day of the woman’s cycle. Some physicians also worry that NFP may be too complicated to implement widely as a birth control method because it requires thorough training on fertility.
Learn More
You can learn how to use NFP by reading a manual or taking a class. You can also compare NFP to other birth control methods to figure out what is best for you.
