Natural Family Planning

Natural family planning is a method where you learn about your body and teaches you how to lower the chances of getting pregnant without using contraception. This can also be used when planning to have a baby.

Natural-Family-Planning-copy

How does it work?

It works by plotting the times of the month (menstrual cycle) when you're fertile and when you're not.

You learn how to record fertility signals, such as your body temperature and fluids in your cervix, to identify when it's safer to have sex. This method is more effective when more than one fertility signal is monitored.

This method is best learned from a specialist teacher rather than a book. Ask your doctor to put you in touch with someone who can teach you more. 

How effective is it?

If done correctly, these methods are up to 98% effective, depending on what method is used. This means that up to two women in 100 who use this method will get pregnant in one year. It takes commitment and time to achieve 98% effectiveness.

Added benefits?

  • There are no physical side effects, and you can use it to plan when you do want to get pregnant.

What else should I know?

  • It takes three to six menstrual cycles to learn the method. You have to keep a daily record of your fertility signals, such as your temperature and the fluids coming from your cervix.

  • Fertility signals can be affected by illness, stress and travel.

  • If you want to have sex during your fertile time (which lasts around eight days a month), use a condom.

By using condoms as well, you'll help to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condoms - Pill & Mini Pill - Injection, Patch & Implant - IUD - Dental Dam -Vaginal Ring - Diaphragm - Sterilisation - Family Planning