NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR CYCLE?
Natural family planning – sometimes referred to as fertility awareness – is a non-hormonal birth control technique of tracking exactly which stage of the menstrual cycle you are in, and only having sex on non-fertile days. Due to the planning required with this method, it is best suited for those who are organized, mindful, and the ‘ahead-of-time’ planners.
To have a better chance of avoiding pregnancy on the days you are ovulating, it is advised that you do not have vaginal sex or use a barrier method such as male condoms, female condoms, or a diaphragm. Natural family planning is a popular choice for those who wish to use non-hormonal birth control, and if you do decide to get pregnant in the future, the fertility tracking can be a great help.
Explore different methods of natural family planning1
Efficacy with typical use
81-88%1
Efficacy with perfect use
UP TO 95%1
Record your period days or use your cycle history to predict your non-fertile days and consciously plan unprotected sex.
Examples: Standard Days Method,
Calendar Rhythm Method
Efficacy with typical use
67–98%1
Efficacy with perfect use
Up to just more than 99%1
Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
Measure your temperature every morning using a digital thermometer, or one specific for natural family planning. Your temperature will slightly rise (0.2–0.5 °C) after your ovulation, which will help you spot your non-fertile days.
Cervical secretions
Monitor changes in the look and feel of your cervical mucus. The consistency and amount of your cervical mucus will vary at different times in your cycle and will help you spot your non-fertile days.
The most effective natural family planning strategy is monitoring several signs and symptoms at the same time – instead of just one.
Examples: TwoDay Method, BBT, Ovulation (cervical) Method and Symptothermal Method
Efficacy with typical use
81-88%
Efficacy with perfect use
UP TO 99%
The most effective natural family planning strategy is monitoring several signs and symptoms at the same time, instead of just one.
Examples: Symptothermal Method,
Marquette Method
References
- World Health Organisation. Family Planning – A global handbook for providers. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9780999203705 [Accessed March 2023]. Return to content
HOW IT MEASURES UP
HORMONES
No. Natural family planning is hormone-free.
EASE OF USE
Natural family planning methods vary in terms of how much attention they need, but it’s important to be aware of fertile days and to use additional birth control on these days.
YOUR PERIOD
Natural family planning has no impact on your period.
Can anyone use natural family planning?
Yes. All couples can use natural family planning. It can be an effective choice of non-hormonal birth control for couples who are motivated, trained in their preferred method, and committed to avoiding unprotected sex on fertile days if they wish to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.
Can I use natural family planning if my cycles aren’t regular?
Some methods of natural family planning allow you to track your fertile days even if you have irregular periods. However, it should be remembered that it is still possible to get pregnant even if you have sex on the days when you are not ovulating.
For how many days of your cycle should you avoid unprotected sex?
The number of fertile days in a cycle varies from person to person. The average number ranges between 13 to 18 days, during which unprotected sex should be avoided. To avoid unplanned pregnancy during this time, another method of birth control should be used, such as condoms.
How likely is it that I will get pregnant during my period?
During your period the chances of pregnancy are low, but not zero. In the first days of bleeding, the chances of getting pregnant are at their lowest. As these days pass, the chances increase, whether or not bleeding continues. The chances of getting pregnant rise until ovulation. The day after ovulation the chances of pregnancy begin to drop steadily. Some natural family planning methods that depend on cervical secretions advise avoiding unprotected sex during monthly bleeding because cervical secretions cannot be detected during bleeding and there is a small risk of ovulation at this time.
Can I use an app or chart to track natural family planning?
There are apps available that are designed to track your natural menstruation cycle and help you plan.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Make an appointment with your doctor or nurse today.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
13-18
DAYS
The number of days you are likely to be more fertile and should use a different birth control to avoid pregnancy. Learn more
3–5%2
The percentage of individuals worldwide who use natural family planning as their main birth control method.2
1
The number of eggs typically released during ovulation.
PROS
- Efficacy can start at 67% but reach up to 98% with typical use.
- No side effects.
- Hormone-free – it is an option for those who cannot or do not want to use hormones. c
CONS
- Can be much less effective than other birth control methods if not followed precisely.
- Needs to be used with other birth control methods to be effective – for example, a barrier method.
- Can take time and practice – three to six menstrual cycles.
References
- World Health Organisation. Family Planning – A global handbook for providers. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9780999203705 [Accessed March 2023]. Return to content
- UN. https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/files/documents/2020/Jan/un_2019_contraceptiveusebymethod_databooklet.pdf [Accessed April 2023]. Return to content
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