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Natural Family Planning Techniques

Natural planning methods are more than techniques to prevent pregnancy; they are also used to increase the likelihood of conception when a couple decides they are ready for a child. There are many advantages to using natural family planning techniques: they cost little or nothing and do not require the use of hormones. However, natural planning techniques do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and their reliability as a means to prevent unwanted pregnancy is generally lower than other methods.

  1. Withdrawal

    • Otherwise known as coitus interruptus, withdrawal is the act of moving a man's penis away from the woman's vaginal area before he ejaculates. The withdrawal method is not considered a reliable method of preventing pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic, as pre-ejaculate fluids can contain sperm and the process relies on extreme self-control.

    Basal Body Temperature

    • When a woman ovulates, her basal body temperature (BBT), or resting temperature, increases slightly. By knowing when she is most likely to ovulate, a woman can avoid sexual activity during that time if she's trying to prevent pregnancy, or engage in it if she is trying to get pregnant. Relying on BBT as a method to prevent pregnancy requires discipline and periods of abstinence. Typical users of BBT have a 20 percent chance of an unplanned pregnancy.

    The Rhythm Method

    • Using the rhythm method as a means of family planning requires a woman to track her menstrual cycle with careful records to determine when she is fertile. It is estimated that women ovulate approximately 14 days before the start of their periods. To determine her fertility, she must count back 14 days from when her menstrual cycle begins, and, for instance, if that day is February 2, she then assumes that she will ovulate regularly on or near the second day of each month. The rhythm method is considered unreliable because few women experience a strict 28-day cycle. According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, the chances of unplanned pregnancy using the rhythm method are approximately 25 percent.

    Cervical Mucus Method

    • A woman's cervical mucus changes consistency throughout her cycle. During ovulation, it becomes more slippery and clear. During periods of infertility, less mucus is evident. By testing her mucus regularly, a woman can predict her ovulation and use the information to prevent or assist pregnancy. To use this method with accuracy, a woman must be skilled at discerning subtle changes in her mucus. One in five women who use the cervical mucus method for birth control can expect an unplanned pregnancy.

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