Natural Family Planning Methods, also known as fertility awareness-based methods or FABMs, offer a hormone-free approach to preventing pregnancy. These methods involve understanding your body’s natural fertility cycles to identify fertile days and avoid pregnancy. There are two primary types of natural family planning: the fertility awareness method (FAM) and the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). It’s important to note that while natural family planning can be effective when used correctly, it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Understanding the Two Main Types of Natural Family Planning
Natural family planning encompasses methods that work in harmony with your body’s natural reproductive cycles. Unlike hormonal birth control or barrier methods, these approaches require a deep understanding of fertility and timing. The two main types are:
- Fertility Awareness Method (FAM): This method involves tracking your menstrual cycle and fertility signs to predict when you are most fertile. By monitoring these signs, you can abstain from intercourse or use barrier methods like condoms during your fertile window.
- Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): LAM is a temporary birth control method for postpartum women who are exclusively breastfeeding. It relies on the natural infertility that breastfeeding can induce in the initial months after childbirth.
Withdrawal, or pulling out, is sometimes mistakenly considered a natural family planning method. However, it is significantly less effective and not recommended as a reliable form of contraception.
Diving Deeper into the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)
The fertility awareness method (FAM) is a comprehensive approach that empowers individuals to understand their menstrual cycle and identify fertile days. By tracking key fertility indicators, you can make informed decisions about intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
How the Fertility Awareness Method Works
FAM involves diligently observing and recording several fertility signs daily. These signs typically include:
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Your BBT is your body’s lowest resting temperature. It is measured first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. Ovulation usually causes a slight but noticeable rise in BBT, which remains elevated until menstruation.
- Cervical Mucus: Changes in cervical mucus throughout your cycle are a crucial indicator of fertility. As you approach ovulation, cervical mucus becomes more abundant, clear, and slippery, resembling egg whites. After ovulation, it typically becomes less abundant, thicker, or disappears.
- Menstrual Cycle Tracking: Keeping a detailed record of your menstrual cycle length helps you predict ovulation. Cycle length can vary, but consistent tracking helps identify patterns.
By charting these signs together, you can identify your fertile window – the days each cycle when pregnancy is most likely. To prevent pregnancy using FAM, you avoid unprotected intercourse during this fertile window.
Effectiveness of the Fertility Awareness Method
When practiced consistently and correctly, FAM can be highly effective.
- Perfect Use: With perfect adherence to the method’s guidelines, FAM can be 91-99% effective. This means that when couples meticulously track fertility signs and consistently avoid intercourse or use barrier methods during the fertile window, very few pregnancies occur.
- Typical Use: However, typical use, which accounts for user error or inconsistent tracking, lowers the effectiveness to around 76%. This means that approximately 24 out of 100 women using FAM may become pregnant within a year.
The effectiveness of FAM heavily relies on consistent and accurate tracking, proper interpretation of fertility signs, and diligent adherence to guidelines regarding intercourse during the fertile window. Learning FAM properly from a qualified instructor is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness.
Alt text: A woman uses a basal thermometer to track her temperature as part of the fertility awareness method for natural family planning.
Who is the Fertility Awareness Method Suitable For?
FAM can be a good option for individuals who:
- Want a hormone-free birth control method.
- Are comfortable with tracking their fertility signs daily.
- Have regular menstrual cycles (though FAM can be adapted for irregular cycles with proper instruction).
- Are motivated to learn the method thoroughly and follow its guidelines consistently.
- Are willing to abstain from intercourse or use barrier methods during fertile days.
FAM may be less suitable for individuals who:
- Have very irregular cycles that make fertility sign interpretation challenging.
- Are not comfortable with daily tracking and observation.
- Find it difficult to abstain from intercourse or use barrier methods during fertile days.
- Need highly effective contraception due to health concerns.
Exploring the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) provides a natural and temporary contraceptive option for breastfeeding mothers in the initial months after childbirth.
How the Lactational Amenorrhea Method Works
LAM relies on the temporary infertility that exclusive breastfeeding can induce. Prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, can suppress ovulation when breastfeeding is frequent and consistent.
For LAM to be effective, specific conditions must be met:
- Exclusive Breastfeeding: The baby must be exclusively breastfed, meaning they receive breast milk as their sole source of nutrition, with no formula or solid foods.
- Frequent Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding must occur frequently, at least every four hours during the day and every six hours at night.
- Baby’s Age: LAM is effective for the first six months after delivery.
- No Return of Menstruation: Menstruation must not have returned after delivery. The return of your period indicates that fertility has likely resumed.
Effectiveness of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method
When all criteria are strictly met, LAM is highly effective in the short term:
- Perfect Use: When practiced perfectly, LAM is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy during the first six months postpartum.
- Typical Use: Even with slight deviations from perfect use, LAM remains highly effective at approximately 98%, meaning only about 2 in 100 women may become pregnant within six months of giving birth while using LAM.
However, LAM’s effectiveness decreases after six months, with the introduction of supplementary feeding, or the return of menstruation. It’s crucial to transition to another contraceptive method before any of these occur if continued pregnancy prevention is desired.
Alt text: A mother is shown breastfeeding her infant, illustrating the lactational amenorrhea method of natural family planning.
Who is the Lactational Amenorrhea Method Suitable For?
LAM is suitable for postpartum women who:
- Are exclusively breastfeeding their baby.
- Are within the first six months after delivery.
- Have not experienced the return of menstruation.
- Understand and can maintain the requirements for frequent and exclusive breastfeeding.
LAM is not suitable for women who:
- Are not exclusively breastfeeding.
- Are beyond six months postpartum.
- Have had their period return.
- Are considering expressing breast milk as a primary feeding method (effectiveness is less researched in this case).
Getting Started with Natural Family Planning
Learning natural family planning methods effectively requires guidance and support.
Seeking Expert Instruction
To learn FAM accurately, it is highly recommended to seek instruction from certified fertility awareness educators or healthcare providers trained in FABMs. They can provide personalized guidance on tracking fertility signs, interpreting charts, and using the method effectively for your individual circumstances.
For LAM, midwives and healthcare providers can offer guidance on the criteria for effective use in the postpartum period.
Resources for Natural Family Planning
- Sexual Health Clinics and Family Planning Clinics: These clinics often provide information and resources on natural family planning methods.
- GP Surgeries and Midwives: Your general practitioner or midwife can offer initial information and refer you to specialists if needed.
- Fertility Awareness Organizations: Organizations like Fertility UK can help you find certified FAM educators in your area.
- Books and Online Resources: While numerous resources are available, ensure they are from reputable sources and ideally supplement them with personalized instruction. Be cautious with apps and devices, as the NHS does not officially recommend specific ones for FAM due to varying levels of accuracy and effectiveness.
Natural Family Planning and Informed Choice
Natural family planning methods offer a valuable option for individuals seeking hormone-free contraception and a deeper understanding of their bodies. While effective when used correctly, they require commitment, learning, and consistent application. It is essential to weigh the benefits and limitations of natural family planning against other contraceptive options to make an informed choice that aligns with your individual needs and circumstances. Remember, natural family planning methods do not protect against STIs; consistent condom use is necessary for STI prevention.
For further information and to find qualified professionals, consult sexual health clinics, healthcare providers, and fertility awareness organizations.
