Natural Family Planning?

I'm looking for an alternative to hormonal birth control. Does anyone do the Natural Family Planning (NFP) thing? I would love to hear your experiences. Pros and cons. Also, if anyone does/did the cycle bead thing, that's the one I'm really interested in. If you've done it, did/does it work for you?

I've read all about all the contraception out there and was initially considering Nuvaring, but I'd really like to not take homones if NFP could work for me.

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Thu. Nov 29, 11:45am

Read Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler (sp?) It requires some effort, not a lot, and it's a good alternative to hormones.

My friend did the beads and it worked for her for a year, until the month her ovulation was delayed slightly for whatever reason - she got pregnant that month!

HTH!

Thursday, November 29, 2007, 12:16 PM

I've used NFP for a little over 6 years.
After about one year I just had this weird month and I couldn't understand my chart. I thought something was wrong with my thermometer or something so I just thought "oh, well" and didn't pay that much attention. That's how I got Baby #1.
I used it to space between Baby #1 and Baby #2. (Came in very handy when I was trying to get pregnant.)
Now still using NFP. I've learn you just have to be really vigilant and not to just assume you're going to stay consistant all the time. It can be effective if you're willing to do the work and you have a supportive partner. And the charting does become second nature after a while.

I also agree that you should read Taking Charge Of Your Fertility. Actually I think every female should read this book!! A friend of mine who was having fertility issues and I read it at the same time. We are both intellegent women and we couldn't believe how much fairly basic stuff we DIDN'T know about ourselves before we read it.

Thursday, November 29, 2007, 12:53 PM

Thanks! I'll definitely pick up that book!

Thursday, November 29, 2007, 1:57 PM

You could try using a diaphragm. It's essentially a female condom and non-hormonal. I had to go off the pill due to early onset hypertension and this method has been working well for me.

Thursday, November 29, 2007, 2:17 PM

I have done NFP for 8 years without a pregnancy. Though, I supplement that with condoms when close to ovulation. (Go a week without sex? I don't think so!)

I did hormonal BC for about a year, but it messed me up terribly. Took me two years to get my cycle back to normal (no spotting, 28-30 day cycle, only 4 days of menstruating) but I still haven't managed to get rid of cramps which I only got once I started taking the pill. Personally, I'm NEVER going back to hormonal BC.

Thursday, November 29, 2007, 4:22 PM

You don't have to give up sex for a week. You just have to get...creative ;)

Thursday, November 29, 2007, 5:17 PM

I just told hubby about NFP a few hours ago. I think he's into it.

Thursday, November 29, 2007, 7:19 PM

If you're in a position where you could financially and emotionally handle a child, should you happen to get pregnant, then it may be a viable option. If you are not at that stage in your life, it is probably not the best option. Condoms, a diaphragm, and some IEDs are other examples of birth control without hormones.

Friday, November 30, 2007, 2:55 PM

If we got pregnant, it would be okay. It's just not what we want right now. That's a good way to look at it PP.

Friday, November 30, 2007, 3:39 PM

Also, if you use the options 2:55 mentioned in conjuction with NFP you'll have even more success.

Friday, November 30, 2007, 4:28 PM

2:55pm poster here - I meant IUD, not IED! Oops! Spending too much time at work! IED is an acronym I use too much here - stands for Industry Exposure Database, and has nothing at all to do with birth control!!!

Friday, November 30, 2007, 5:16 PM

That's funny - 5:16!

Friday, November 30, 2007, 6:12 PM

With any luck I will have reached menopause next month (12 months without a period). I used NFP since I was in my early 20's and I have never had children. I used the Billings Method (cervical mucus) and it was very dependable for me. During ovulation I would abstain or use barrier methods. Good luck!

Saturday, December 1, 2007, 6:54 PM

Thanks 6:54. That makes me hopeful!

Sunday, December 2, 2007, 8:42 AM

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