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NFP & FAM – Are They REAL Methods Part II We read in the previous article that when using Natural Family Planning, sex is avoided if a woman is entering, as well as during, her fertile phase. This is not the case with the Fertility Awareness Method of birth control. All of the fertility signs are still checked and recorded on a chart, but a new element is added, barrier methods of birth control. The best barrier methods to use are condoms and the cervical cap, but all barrier methods can be used with the Fertility Awareness Method. The reason that condoms or the cervical cap are better is because you will be checking your cervical fluids, and spermicidal foams, creams, jellies, and films may interfere with your ability to accurately identify your cervical fluids. You may be thinking to yourself “If I am going to use a barrier method of birth control, why am I checking and charting my fertility signs?” That is a great question. You only need to use the barrier methods if you decide to have sex and the woman is entering, or during, her fertile phase. This means that you don’t use the barrier method for each and every sexual act, but only for sexual acts that happen when the risk of pregnancy is present according to the woman’s fertility signs. Depending on which barrier method you choose to use, the failure rate can be as little as 3% (male condoms) or as much as 20% (the cervical cap). The reason why the barrier methods failure rate is used is because the barrier is used during the ‘high pregnancy risk’ time of the woman’s cycle, and if it is going to fail, pregnancy is a real risk.
So, the difference between the two methods is that with NFP, sex is avoided if pregnancy is possible, and with FAM, a barrier method is used if pregnancy is possible. Neither method is the Rhythm Method, where the woman assumes that she ovulates in the “middle” of her cycle or on day 14 and avoids unprotected sex then. For these methods to work, a couple must be dedicated to using them and following all the rules faithfully. Because a barrier method of birth control is not use for each and every sexual act with FAM, and is not used at all with NFP, these methods are best used by monogamous couples. Both methods allow a woman to learn about her body and how her reproductive system works. They also allow both individuals to take full responsibility for the birth control method used. If you are interested in learning either NFP or the FAM of birth control you can contact your local Catholic Church, Planned Parenthood Office, Women’s Health Clinic, your personal physician, or if you feel confident that you can learn the method “on your own”, purchase the book “Taking Charge Of Your Fertility” by Toni Weschler. Natural Family Planning has worked for me for five years, but I have been totally dedicated to the method as well. If you are ready to use a natural method of birth control, Natural Family Planning or the Fertility Awareness Method might be right for you too.
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