Natural Family Planning Methods
Natural family planning methods are the techniques that are followed without the use of medications, devices or surgery to prevent pregnancy.
These include:
Periodic abstinence—Most commonly followed method. In women with regular 28-day cycle, the unsafe period is from day 7 to day 21 of the menstrual cycle and there is a minimum chance of pregnancy when intercourse is avoided during these days.
Monitoring the basal body temperature—A special thermometer called the basal body thermometer is used to record the temperature variation during ovulation and avoid sexual activity during the periods of fertility.
Cervical mucus method—The mucus secreted from the cervix is usually thick during the fertile period and the couple should abstain from sex as soon as the first sign of mucus appears and for 3 days after the peak day (the last day of presence of wet mucus).
Withdrawal method (coitus interrptus) —Involves the withdrawal of the penis during coitus before ejaculation occurs.
Lactation amenorrhea—Breastfeeding the baby both during the day and at night (at least once at night) with no regular supplemental feedings of any type helps to prevent pregnancy until the return of menstrual periods.
It must be remembered that these methods are not 100% safe to prevent pregnancy. Consult the family doctor for more details about these methods and their advantages and disadvantages.1
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Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 08, 2012