Natural family planning (NFP)
\nPart 2- Summary of NFP methods and effectiveness<\/p>\n
1. Calendar Rhythm
\nBased on a woman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s previous menstrual cycles, the fertile days begin at shortest previous cycle minus 19 days and end at longest previous cycle minus 11 days.
\nStrength: ease of use, low cost
\nWeakness: only works for women with regular cycles
\nPerfect use pregnancy rate: 5%
\nTypical use pregnancy rate: 9-47%<\/p>\n
2. Standard Days Method
\nWomen who typically have 26-32 days consider themselves fertile during days 8-19 of the cycle.
\nStrength: ease of use, consistent month to month
\nWeakness: only for women with cycles 26-32 days
\nPerfect use pregnancy rate: 5%
\nTypical use pregnancy rate: 12%
\nhttp:\/\/www.irh.org<\/p>\n
3. Two-Day Method
\nIf a woman has noticed any vaginal discharge today or yesterday, she considers herself fertile today.
\nStrength: ease of use, can be used by women with irregular cycles or no menstrual bleeding.
\nWeakness: cannot be used if a woman has a continuous vaginal discharge
\nPerfect use pregnancy rate: 4%
\nTypical use pregnancy rate: 14%
\nhttp:\/\/www.irh.org <\/p>\n
4. Basal Body Temperature Method
\nWhen a woman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s basal (first morning) temperature rises at least 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) for 3 days compared to the previous 6 days, the fertile days are over.
\nStrength: Highly effective.
\nWeakness: Applies only to women who are ovulating consistently. Most restrictive method, because it defines only about 10 days of infertility in each cycle.
\nPerfect use pregnancy rate: <1%
\nTypical use pregnancy rate: 2-20%<\/p>\n
5. Sympto-Thermal Method
\nThe beginning of the fertile days according to onset of mucus discharge, calendar calculation, or cervix palpation; end of fertile days according to temperature rise cross-checked by end of mucus discharge.
\nStrength: Multiple symptoms to cross check.
\nWeakness: Most complex of NFP methods. Need for personal instruction.
\nPerfect use pregnancy rate: <1%
\nTypical use pregnancy rate: 3-20%<\/p>\n
Fertility Awareness | NFP Training | Couple to Couple League International<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n