Natural Way of Preventing pregnancy
Topic : NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (Fertility awareness) methods
Introduction
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the most commonly used birth control method and it is also known as Fertility awareness (FA) methods. These methods require long periods of sexual abstinence. They provide low and varying levels of efficacy and do not provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Definition
WHO defined as voluntary avoidance of inter-course by a couple during the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle (also known as ovulation) period in order to avoid a pregnancy.
Natural family planning methods are associated with higher failure rates than other available methods of contraception and often perceived as being better for women’s health than hormonal and intra- uterine ( artificial contraceptives ) methods because,clients have experienced the side effects of artificial methods or because they have medical conditions which limit their contraceptive choice.
Fertility awareness methods rely on the fact that there are only certain days during the menstrual cycle when conception can occur. Following ovulation, the ovum is viable within the reproductive tract for a maximum of 24 - 48 hours. However, the life span of the sperm, is considerably longer in the region of 3–7 days. Though, all these life span for both viable ovum and sperm can be few hours to day's longer depending on our nutritional status and how healthy individual is?
There are various fertility awareness (natural family planning ) methods and their usage require that you know them very well. You must have studied them over 5 cycles(months) that is , you must know your own menstrual cycles ,as I used to say , it is not the same as others.
Classification of natural family planning methods
1. Cycle or rhythm method
Cycle length is recorded for a minimum of six cycles. Likely fertile days are then calculated allowing for the survival time of sperm and ova, using the following formula:
First fertile day = shortest cycle minus 20
Last fertile day = longest cycle minus 10
This method requires a significant period of sexual abstinence; for example, in the case of a regular 28-day cycle, 10 days of sexual abstinence are required during each cycle.
Temperature method
Following ovulation, there is a rise in the progesterone levels which produces a rise in the basal body temperature of 0.2–0.4°C, which is maintained until the onset of menstruation. The fertile phase ends after three consecutive high temperatures are recorded. Intercourse is avoided from the onset of menstruation until the day on which the third higher level temperature has been recorded. Intercourse is then allowed until the onset of the next menstruation.
In the example of a 28-day cycle, abstinence is required for about 18 days per cycle. Infection, illness and medication can affect the body temperature and interfere with the method.
Cervical mucus method also known as Billing’s method
During the follicular phase of the cycle, the cervical mucus appears like raw egg white, i.e. it is clear, slippery and stretchy (spinbarkeit phenomenon). The final day of the ‘fertile mucus’ is considered to be the day when ovulation is most likely to occur. Abstinence must be maintained from the day when fertile mucus is first identified until 3 days after the peak day. The end of the fertile period is characterized by the appearance of ‘infertile mucus’, which is scanty and viscous.
Semen, sexual excitement, spermicides, lubricants, bleeding and vaginal infections can confuse mucus assessment.
Cervical palpation method
Daily self-palpation of the cervix helps to detect the changes occurring in the size of the external os and its position relative to the introitus. The cervix rises during the follicular phase of the cycle. At ovulation, it reaches peak height from the introitus with maximum softness and the os admits a finger tip. The cervix then descends, becomes closed and firm and is closer to the vulva towards the end of the luteal phase.
Minor clinical indicators of fertility
Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz), mid-cycle show of blood, onset of breast symptoms, skin and mood changes can occur in some women. When present, they can be helpful in confirming the major signs.
Lactational amenorrhoea method.
A natural method seen in a fully breastfeeding mother and is amenorrhoeic during the first six months after childbirth and has a 2 per cent chance of getting pregnant, the lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM) is categorized as one of the natural family planning methods.
In conclusion, the combinations of this Fertility Awareness methods can be used to increase the accuracy of identification of the fertile and infertile periods. However, full concentration and study of these methods can help new couple to achieve pregnancy at early stage of their marriage provided nil tubal blockage and infections.
Thanks for reading
Introduction
Definition
WHO defined as voluntary avoidance of inter-course by a couple during the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle (also known as ovulation) period in order to avoid a pregnancy.
Natural family planning methods are associated with higher failure rates than other available methods of contraception and often perceived as being better for women’s health than hormonal and intra- uterine ( artificial contraceptives ) methods because,clients have experienced the side effects of artificial methods or because they have medical conditions which limit their contraceptive choice.
Fertility awareness methods rely on the fact that there are only certain days during the menstrual cycle when conception can occur. Following ovulation, the ovum is viable within the reproductive tract for a maximum of 24 - 48 hours. However, the life span of the sperm, is considerably longer in the region of 3–7 days. Though, all these life span for both viable ovum and sperm can be few hours to day's longer depending on our nutritional status and how healthy individual is?
There are various fertility awareness (natural family planning ) methods and their usage require that you know them very well. You must have studied them over 5 cycles(months) that is , you must know your own menstrual cycles ,as I used to say , it is not the same as others.
Classification of natural family planning methods
1. Cycle or rhythm method
Cycle length is recorded for a minimum of six cycles. Likely fertile days are then calculated allowing for the survival time of sperm and ova, using the following formula:
First fertile day = shortest cycle minus 20
Last fertile day = longest cycle minus 10
This method requires a significant period of sexual abstinence; for example, in the case of a regular 28-day cycle, 10 days of sexual abstinence are required during each cycle.
Temperature method
Following ovulation, there is a rise in the progesterone levels which produces a rise in the basal body temperature of 0.2–0.4°C, which is maintained until the onset of menstruation. The fertile phase ends after three consecutive high temperatures are recorded. Intercourse is avoided from the onset of menstruation until the day on which the third higher level temperature has been recorded. Intercourse is then allowed until the onset of the next menstruation.
In the example of a 28-day cycle, abstinence is required for about 18 days per cycle. Infection, illness and medication can affect the body temperature and interfere with the method.
Cervical mucus method also known as Billing’s method
During the follicular phase of the cycle, the cervical mucus appears like raw egg white, i.e. it is clear, slippery and stretchy (spinbarkeit phenomenon). The final day of the ‘fertile mucus’ is considered to be the day when ovulation is most likely to occur. Abstinence must be maintained from the day when fertile mucus is first identified until 3 days after the peak day. The end of the fertile period is characterized by the appearance of ‘infertile mucus’, which is scanty and viscous.
Semen, sexual excitement, spermicides, lubricants, bleeding and vaginal infections can confuse mucus assessment.
Cervical palpation method
Daily self-palpation of the cervix helps to detect the changes occurring in the size of the external os and its position relative to the introitus. The cervix rises during the follicular phase of the cycle. At ovulation, it reaches peak height from the introitus with maximum softness and the os admits a finger tip. The cervix then descends, becomes closed and firm and is closer to the vulva towards the end of the luteal phase.
Minor clinical indicators of fertility
Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz), mid-cycle show of blood, onset of breast symptoms, skin and mood changes can occur in some women. When present, they can be helpful in confirming the major signs.
Lactational amenorrhoea method.
A natural method seen in a fully breastfeeding mother and is amenorrhoeic during the first six months after childbirth and has a 2 per cent chance of getting pregnant, the lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM) is categorized as one of the natural family planning methods.
In conclusion, the combinations of this Fertility Awareness methods can be used to increase the accuracy of identification of the fertile and infertile periods. However, full concentration and study of these methods can help new couple to achieve pregnancy at early stage of their marriage provided nil tubal blockage and infections.
Thanks for reading
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