Effectiveness · Typical and Perfect Use
Gallagher J, 1983 · Aust Fam Physician
When properly taught and practised, natural family planning can be a highly effective form of birth regulation. Recent studies indicate low failure rates of less than three pregnancies per 100 women years for couples with a strong motivation to follow the method. Studies show that pregnancy rates are high when the rules for avoiding pregnancy are not adhered to. Successful natural family planning can lead to heightened self esteem and marital enrichment.
Use and Experience · User Satisfaction
France M et al., 1997 · Adv Contracept
This study has determined long-term continuation rates of clients who attended clinics of the New Zealand Association of Natural Family Planning and became autonomous users. It has also identified factors which might influence the continuation of NFP use. A total of 509 female subjects, 452 of them with their male partners, were enrolled in the study at the beginning of clinic teaching. Once autonomous they were sent questionnaires at 6-monthly intervals for a period of 24 months. Time out was allowed for pregnancy. The number of female subjects entering the 2-year follow-up phase of the study was 406 (79.8%). Of these 164 completed 2 years of use with 102 (20% of study entrants) using NFP and 62 (12.2%) using fertility awareness in combination with a barrier method. Subjects for whom NFP was their first family planning method, who were Catholic or who gave religion as their reason for choosing NFP were more likely to continue long-term use. The majority of subjects (> 90%) were highly satisfied with NFP use, with the most common reasons for satisfaction being self-awareness, freedom from drugs, naturalness and effectiveness. The difficulties reported related to abstinence and cycle interpretation.
Effectiveness · Typical and Perfect Use
Ecochard R et al., 1998 · Contraception, fertilite, sexualite (1992)
The analysis concerned 626 users using NFP in order to avoid a conception during a total of 6740 cycles. Participation in the study did not interfere with their plan of conception, and they were invited to behave, as far as possible, as though they ignored the study. Of these 626 couples, 530 were french, 61 belgian and 35 swiss. On the whole, 39.3% used birth control to limit births and 60.7% to space them. The observed pregnancy rates are 1.13, 6.47 and 17.58 for one year in actuarial method respectively for method, method + user and total pregnancy rate. The pregnancy rate was higher for women before 35 years (RR: 3.8; 95 p100 confidence interval: 1.4-10.3), during the six months after delivery (RR: 2.5; 1.0-4.6) and, of course, for couples with inprotected sexual intercourse in fertile phase (RR: 4.8; 2.1-11.2). NFP can be placed among methods of great theorical effectiveness. But pregnancies as a result of intercourses during the fertile phase despite its identification are frequent: couples have to be informed.
Methods · Billings Ovulation Method
Foxwell M, 1994 · Mod Midwife
Natural family planning (NFP) methods can be effective if taught well and practised by well-motivated couples. Midwives should be able to give couples an understanding of the basic principles of the methods. The observable signs of the fertile cycle are changes in basal body temperature, in the consistency of cervical mucus and in the texture and position of the cervix. Practised properly the ovulation method can have a failure rate of as little as 2.2 pregnancies per 100 woman-years. The ovulation method is a suitable method for mothers who have breastfed to detect the onset of ovulation.