Have you or your partner ever tried natural contraception? The answer for many is probably not. The majority of couples continue to rely on pills,condoms, and IUD devices that have a large number of dangerous side effects.
But now with Smartphone technology using natural contraception or fertility awareness methods(FAM), has become a lot easier and simpler than ever before. Now, there are apps you can download on your phone or use on your PC that allows you to much more easily keep track of all the info you need when using one of the FAM methods. For an example, you can check out “Natural Cycles” as an example on their website at https://www.naturalcycles.com/en
If you aren’t 100% educated on FAM, then get the details on this page from birthcontrol.com:
“What Are Fertility Awareness Methods?
Fertility Awareness Methods are also referred to as FAM birth control or “natural family planning”. They consist of keeping track of ovulation (the release of an egg) and timing sexual activity so it coincides with times of the month which are less conducive to pregnancy. In this way, a woman can abstain from sex or use extra protection during times in which she is most fertile.
There are several different types of methods women use to keep track of their fertility.
These include the Temperature Method, Cervical Mucus Method, Calendar Method, Standard Days Method and Sympothermal Method.
How Do They Prevent Pregnancy?
Pregnancy happens when fertilization occurs, which is when sperm joins with an egg. For a woman with a normal and healthy reproductive system, there are times during her menstrual cycle when fertilization is:
- Impossible
- Unlikely
- Most likely
Fertility awareness methods or FAM birth control reduce the likelihood of pregnancy by informing you of when you are most fertile. This way, you can take measures to prevent sperm from accessing your eggs during your most fertile times. In other words, you can find out which days are your most fertile days, and then abstain from sex, practice outercourse, or use extra protection (eg. condoms, sponges, cervical caps, spermicide, etc).
Fertility awareness can also help prevent pregnancy by encouraging the use of emergency contraception (eg. Plan B), if a woman has unprotected sex during a highly fertile time of the month.
In order for these methods to be used effectively, a woman must be fully aware of her menstrual cycle. There are 7 days of every menstrual cycle when sperm has the opportunity to meet with the egg and result in pregnancy. These days can be identified by figuring out when ovulation will occur.
What Are the Benefits?
The benefits are as follows:
- Inexpensive
- Safe
- Ability to use while breastfeeding
- Ability to become pregnant as soon as you stop
Other benefits include no:
- Effect on hormones
- Side effects
- Physical commitment
- Need for medication
- Prep work needed before intercourse
What Are the Disadvantages?
Fertility awareness methods tend to take a lot of discipline. They also require support from all sexual participants. If you don’t feel like you can keep a close track of your menstrual cycle, look into other forms of birth control. Similarly, if you have multiple partners, FAM birth control may be difficult to track.
Medications may also affect your ability to employ fertility awareness based methods. These can introduce irregularities to your cycle. If you have irregular periods, you should not depend on FAM birth control.
Those going through hormonal changes such as teenagers, women breastfeeding, women approaching menopause, and those who just finished using hormonal birth control might be unable to track menstrual cycles accurately.
Speak with your health care professional for more information.
How Effective are the Methods?
Average effectiveness depends on the type of fertility awareness method. Out of 100 couples using the:
- Cervical Mucus Method correctly, 3 will become pregnant
- Standard Days Method correctly, 5 will become pregnant
- A combination of methods (ie. the Sympothermal Method) correctly, 0.4 will become pregnant
- Fertility awareness methods incorrectly, 24 will become pregnant
Are These Methods Safe?
The methods are extremely safe. No negative side effects can occur from them, hormonal or medical.
Their effectiveness is based upon the user’s ability to employ them with accuracy.
However, it is also important to remember that FAM birth control does not reduce the risk of STD’s. If these are a concern, use a male condom or female condom to avoid infection.”
For how exactly you use FAM for birth control and additional tips, keep reading the post from birthcontrol.com at the link below:
Image courtesy of: mymedistore365