Natural Methods

Natural family planning is about understanding fertility and finding out those days in the month when a woman can become pregnant. By observing and recording the various natural signs and symptoms that occur during the menstrual cycle you can learn to identify your fertile time. Then, unless you plan to have a baby, you should avoid sexual intercourse at that time. To avoid pregnancy you must make sure that the sperm and the egg do not meet.

Note: The Irish Family Planning Association strongly recommends that should you decide to use natural family planning, you attend an instruction course by a teacher in natural methods. Such instruction is now available from family planning centres and other organisations countrywide.

Natural family planning works by observing and recording your body’s different natural signs or fertility indicators on each day of your menstrual cycle.

Many studies have been carried out on natural methods which show a range of effectiveness from 2 pregnancies for every 100 couples using the method for a year to 20 pregnancies per 100 couples using the method for a year. Much depends on your reasons for using the method and the importance to you of success.

Perhaps more than for any other method, motivation, commitment, careful observance of the rules and good instruction are important for success.

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