Natural family planning
Natural family planning is a birth control method with a high failure rate. It means ways to avoid having sex totally or unprotected sex when you are most fertile.
There are two main methods:
- With a calendar-based method, you count the days between your periods. In the week before your period and the week after it starts you’re least fertile. In the two weeks after that, you’re most fertile.
- With a symptoms-based method, apart from being aware of the days between your periods, you also check your body for signs you are ovulating. You can do this by regularly taking your temperature, or checking look and feel of the mucus coming out of your vagina.
Natural family planning methods have no side-effects and are cheap. But even with the tools available today, from apps to high-tech thermometers, they are very unreliable.
The more regular your periods are, and the better you understand what happens during your cycle, the better.
But the risk of getting pregnant is still very high, and you should think carefully if you are willing to take this risk.
Tell us what you think
Recent Comments (30)
If i have unprotected sex a…
If i have unprotected sex a week after menses,what my chances of getting pregnant,
There are chances of getting…
There are chances of getting pregnant, it all depends with your cycle. Check out this article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/our-bodies/female-body/menstruation
After having periods,why do…
After having periods,why do most of mens don’t like having sex with their partners?
Hey Praxides, the reasons…
Hey Praxides, the reasons can be as many as the number of men who don’t want to have sex right after periods. You may want to find out from your partner why he doesn’t like. There is however nothing wrong with having sex sex even during periods. Check out this article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/our-bodies/female-body/sex-during-your-period-top-five-facts
Is it bad to have sex when…
Is it bad to have sex when the lady is in her periods
Hi Ruth, their is nothing…
Hi Ruth, their is nothing wrong with having sex during periods if both partners are okay with it. It may even help to relieve the period pain. Check out this article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/our-bodies/female-body/sex-during-your-period-top-five-facts
and why does some men say…
and why does some men say that the penis absorb the mess
Hi Aggie, what mess does the…
Hi Aggie, what mess does the penis absorb?
Why Is Dat When I Hv Sex…
Why Is Dat When I Hv Sex With My Patiner Feels Pain
Hi Noah, who feels pain,…
Hi Noah, who feels pain, your partner or yourself? Where is the pain felt? Check out his article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/making-love/sex-problems-how-to-overcome-them/painful-sex-time-to-listen-up
wat r the side effects of…
wat r the side effects of injections to som1 who has no child?
Hey Tasha, when using the…
Hey Tasha, when using the shot or injection your periods generally get lighter, some women even stop having periods altogether. Many women also have fewer period pains. Many women experience spotting and irregular periods during the first three months. There is also the risk of a possible increase in depression, anxiety, and other mood changes. Also, quite a few women gain weight while on the shot. These side effects can occur to any woman whether they have had a child or not. Lastly, one won’t be able to immediately get pregnant when they stop using the injection; it may take upto ten months to get back to normal fertility. Check out this article for addional information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/birth-control/types-of-birth-control/shot
wat could be the cause of me…
wat could be the cause of me nt bleeding after i had sex for the first time?
Hey Tasha, First, not all…
Hey Tasha, First, not all women bleed when having sex for the first time. This is because the Hymen-in the vagina-which is what is stretched or brocken during first time sex may already have been stretched through athletic activities and/or injuries, causing the woman not to bleed. Also, if a woman is relaxed during intercourse, and is adequately lubricated, she may not bleed during penetration. Remember the lack of blood does not equal lack of virginity. Check out the following articles for more information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/making-love/virginity/the-hymen-what-is-it
https://lovemattersafrica.com/making-love/virginity/busting-the-hymen-myth
How can I know my safe days?
How can I know my safe days?
Hey Vesh, safe days are one…
Hey Vesh, safe days are one of the most unreliable ways to prevent pregnancy, and we really don’t recommend it at all. When your safe days are really depends on the length of your cycle. Technically speaking, the first seven days before and after your period, as well as the time of your period, are relatively safe. But, if you have a shorter cycle (shorter than 28 days), or an irregular one, this will vary. Also keep in mind that sperm can survive for up to five days and longer inside the body- so even if you have sex on a ‘safe’ day, you can still get pregnant, because the sperm survived until your ovulation date. So you see, it’s a very inaccurate. And lastly, of course this won’t protect you from STDs. Only condoms will. So we really recommend a more reliable method. Check out the following article for more information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/birth-control/types-of-birth-control/condom
is it risky to skip some…
is it risky to skip some tablets of femiplan
Hi Aggie, yes it is risky to…
Hi Aggie, yes it is risky to skip or miss a pill as this can lead to pregnancy should one have unprotected sex. One should take the pill as directed. Have a look at the following article for more information on using the Family Planning Pills;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/birth-control/types-of-birth-control/the-pill
We were using this natural…
We were using this natural method and I got pregnant I want a methods that is 100% because we don’t want another child now. Please advice.
Hey Sarah, there is no…
Hey Sarah, there is no method that is perfect, all methods have a failure rate which means one can still get pregnant. However, some methods have a low failure rate making them more effective. Also, some methods prevent pregnancy for a shorter period while others prevent pregnancy for a long period of time. Have a look a look at the following articles with information on the various methods for you to choose from.
https://lovemattersafrica.com/birth-control/choosing-the-right-birth-control/how-to-choose
https://lovemattersafrica.com/birth-control/types-of-birth-control
what if someone has epilepsy…
what if someone has epilepsy can that be a cause that the person cant bear a child and does not use anything
Hello Mercy, having epilepsy…
Hello Mercy, having epilepsy can make it challenging for a woman to get pregnant. It also presents various risks for the woman and her baby. It is for these reasons that one should get specialized care before, during and even after they deliver their baby. It is important to consult a Gynecologist/Obstetrician as one considers to get pregnant for specialized care.
i dont have a child and am…
i dont have a child and am not using any contraceptives what could be the problem coz i have tried everything to get pregnant but all in vain
Hello Mercy, if you have…
Hello Mercy, if you have been trying to get pregnant for longer than 12 months it is important that you seek the services of a Gynecologist for possibly a check up and further advice. Have a look at the following article for additional tips;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/pregnancy/before-pregnancy/getting-pregnant-when-you-cant-seem-to-have-a-baby
For Five Yrs I’ve Been…
For Five Yrs I’ve Been Trying To Concieve But All To No Avail
Hi Vicky, it is important…
Hi Vicky, it is important that you and your partner visit a specialist Gynecologist who will be able to advice you further. We wish you the best. Check out this article for additional information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/pregnancy/before-pregnancy/what-to-do-when-you-cant-get-pregnant
My cycle is 21days…do I…
My cycle is 21days…do I have safe days or not and what can I use to have 28days cycle
Hi Vera, safe days are one…
Hi Vera, safe days are one of the most unreliable ways to prevent pregnancy, and we really don’t recommend it at all. When your safe days are really depends on the length of your cycle. Technically speaking, the first seven days before and after your period, as well as the time of your period, are relatively safe. But, if you have a shorter cycle (shorter than 28 days), or an irregular one, this will vary. Also keep in mind that sperm can survive for up to five days and longer inside the body- so even if you have sex on a ‘safe’ day, you can still get pregnant, because the sperm survived until your ovulation date. So you see, it’s a very inaccurate. And lastly, of course this won’t protect you from STDs. Only condoms will. So we really recommend a more reliable method. On the second part of your question, it is not possible to change the number of days in your cycle. This is largely a natural course. Have a look at the following articles;-
https://lovemattersafrica.com/birth-control/types-of-birth-control/safe-days-pros-and-cons
https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/menstruation
Thanks alot I now know my…
Thanks alot I now know my safe days and my unsafe days
Hi Maria,
Glad you learnt…
Hi Maria,
Glad you learnt something. Keep visiting Love Matters for more informative content!