Natural Methods
Natural Family Planning is when a woman learns to understand when she is fertile during her monthly cycle and to avoid intercourse or use a barrier method during this time.
- Continuous Abstinence –
- No intercourse or sex play
- 100% effective
- No chance of receiving a STI
- No side effects
- Cost effective
- No prescription needed
- Outercourse –
- No vaginal intercourse but involves sex play (kissing, fantasy, masturbation, toys, massage, anal and oral sex play, and body to body rubbing)
- 100% effective as long as no pre-ejaculate or semen enters the vagina
- STIs can still be obtained through body rubbing
- No side effects
- No prescription needed
- Fertility Awareness –
- 4 methods available to identify your fertility pattern:
a. Temperature: take your temperature every morning before getting out of bed
b. Cervical mucus: monitor changes in cervical mucus daily
c. Calendar: mark period days on a calendar
d. Standard days: Predict fertile days without any body monitoring or calculations
- Effectiveness can vary greatly
- Withdrawal –
- Penis is removed from the vagina prior to ejaculation
- No side effects
- Cost effective
- No prescription needed
- Effectiveness can vary greatly as pre-ejaculate can still be transferred leading to pregnancy
- Breastfeeding –
- Ovulation can be delayed when breastfeeding
- Cost effective
- Effectiveness can vary greatly
