What is Natural Family Planning?

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a method of understanding and working with your body’s natural rhythms to either achieve or postpone pregnancy. Unlike artificial contraception, NFP respects the natural function of a woman’s body and does not involve synthetic hormones or barriers.

What are the key benefits of Natural Family Planning?

NFP has several benefits, especially for couples who want a natural, low-cost, and relationship-centered approach to family planning and/or pregnancy prevention.

1) No hormones or devices

• NFP works with a woman’s natural cycle (fertility signs like cervical mucus, temperature, cycle patterns)

• No side effects like mood changes, weight changes, or lowered libido that some experience with hormonal birth control
  

2) Can be used to avoid or achieve pregnancy

• The same methods can help couples postpone pregnancy or try to conceive

• Many couples appreciate that it’s flexible depending on their goals
  

3) Increases body awareness

• Helps a woman understand her cycle and what’s normal for her body

• Can help identify unusual patterns (like irregular cycles, possible hormonal imbalance, or low progesterone signs)
  

4) Encourages shared responsibility

• NFP often involves both spouses/partners paying attention to fertility and making decisions together

• Many couples say it improves teamwork and communication
  

5) Often strengthens the relationship

• Requires communication, patience, and mutual respect

• Some couples feel it builds trust and emotional closeness
  

6) Low cost over time

• After initial training/materials, it’s usually inexpensive compared to monthly birth control costs

• Many methods can be tracked with simple tools or apps
  

7) Works for many life stages

• Can be used during:

  • postpartum/breastfeeding (with proper method support)

  • perimenopause

  • irregular cycles (depending on the method and instruction)
    

8) Aligns with certain religious or ethical beliefs

• Many people choose NFP because it fits their values (especially those who prefer not to use contraception)

What are the key methods?

• Sympto-Thermal Method: Tracks temperature, cervical mucus, and other signs.

• Creighton Model: Focuses on standardized cervical mucus observations.

• Billings Ovulation Method: Monitors changes in cervical secretions.

• Marquette Method: Uses fertility monitors alongside natural indicators. 

Each method helps women identify their fertile and infertile times during their menstrual cycle.

Discerning the right time to grow your family or simply wanting to become more in tune with your health, Natural Family Planning (NFP) offers a safe, effective, and empowering approach.

What else should I know about NFP?

NFP can be highly effective when taught correctly and followed consistently—but it does require:

• learning the method

• daily attention to fertility signs

• commitment from both partners