Relatively few Catholic couples in the United States use modern methods of natural family planning (NFP). So too, few Catholic physicians and health professionals prescribe the use of NFP methods for their patients. Reasons for low use of NFP methods include their perceived low efficacy; the complexity of learning, using, and teaching these methods; and the prolonged (and often unnecessary) required abstinence. Newer and simplified methods of NFP have been developed by physicians and scientists that are less complex and use modern technologies of detecting fertility and communicating instructions. Catholic physicians and scientists need to continue to answer the call by the Holy Fathers (from Pius XII to Benedict XVI) to develop secure and scientifically sound methods of NFP.
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DOI 10.1179/002436309803889377 10.1179/002436309803889377
Cite this article
Fehring, R. J. (2009). Efficacy and Efficiency in Natural Family Planning Services. The Linacre Quarterly, 76(1), 9-24. https://doi.org/10.1179/002436309803889377
Fehring RJ. Efficacy and Efficiency in Natural Family Planning Services. Linacre Q. 2009;76(1):9-24. doi:10.1179/002436309803889377
Fehring, R. J. "Efficacy and Efficiency in Natural Family Planning Services." The Linacre Quarterly, vol. 76, no. 1, 2009, pp. 9-24.
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An expert panel was convened to review the current evidence supporting use of NFP in various settings, utilization of new technology, and the impact of NFP on marital dynamics. Results from these discussions and a set of priorities for further work are presented here.
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