Contraception is always a relevant topic for college students: Few men and women in college want to start a family during this time in their lives. Though most people use hormonal contraception such as the pill or barrier contraception like condoms, natural family planning, when used correctly, is a fairly effective way to prevent pregnancy naturally. This method is particularly applicable for students in long-term monogamous relationships, where both partners want to have a sexual relationship, but aren't comfortable using other methods of contraception.
NFP is a method of preventing pregnancy when "a woman learns to regulate when ovulation is occurring and avoids intercourse during this fertile time," according to Christine Peterson, director of gynecology at Student Health,
There are several methods of NFP, one of which is the symptothermal method.
"When a woman ovulates she releases the hormone progesterone, which is a thermogenic, raising the woman's basal body temperature about four tenths of a degree," said Karen Poehailos, doctor of family medicine at First Med in Charlottesville.
When this temperature is higher for a few days, this means ovulation has occurred, and with this information someone can know when to resume relations without risk of pregnancy, Poehailos said.
According to materials distributed by Planned Parenthood, a woman using this method should take her temperature first thing in the morning with a special thermometer that is sensitive to slight changes.
In addition to charting changes in basal body temperature, a woman can monitor her cervical mucus.
"Glands in the cervix create mucus that helps sperm travel into the body and keeps bad sperm out," Poehailos said.
Before ovulation, the mucus is very stretchy and conducive to fertility, she added.
During the peak of fertility, "because estrogen is high, cervical mucus increases," Peterson said. "Instead of sticky and cloudy it becomes very clear, like raw egg whites."
Poehailos dispelled a common myth that only women with regular cycles can successfully use these methods.
"It can be used effectively, and though it may be more difficult to learn, a trained professional can help to teach a woman how to manage that."
A third kind of NFP, the rhythm method, was most popular in the 1950s and 1960s, according to Poehailos. This method is based on the calendar and therefore "is not very good for women with irregular cycles," she said.
The rhythm method is most reliable for women with regular 28-day cycles.
"Ovulation occurs 14 days before the next period, when you start counting the first day of your period," Peterson said. Thus, for women with regular 28-day cycles, the ninth through 14th days are fertile.
There are advantages to using this method over hormonal contraception.
"Hormonal contraceptives have links with breast, liver and cervical cancers, in addition to their side effects," Poehailos said. "The risk of blood clots is higher, women have reported more depression while on the pill and some women may loose interest in intercourse."
According to Poehailos, the pill's link to an increased risk of breast cancer in women who have not yet completed a pregnancy could be due to differentiation of the breast tissue that occurs during the trimester of pregnancy when the body is preparing for lactation.
"The cells become more specialized and less susceptible to carcinogens, because these changes in tissue are somewhat protective," she said.
Women who have not yet completed a pregnancy do not have this protection.
Though negative side effects to hormonal contraception do not occur in all women, they are risk factors women do not have to worry about while using NFP, according to Poehailos.
Additionally, "women learning NFP learn how to read their bodies and cycles better," Poehailos said, adding that this information can be useful when trying to figure out the causes of cycle abnormalities.
Also, because NFP uses no chemicals, it is environmentally friendly.
NFP is also conducive to relationship building.
"It completely depends on good training and complete dedications on both parts," Peterson said.
Because both the man and woman share the responsibility of deciding whether to have sex, it is considered a couple's method. According to Poehailos, research has shown that couples report feeling improved communication, improved knowledge and stronger bonds in their relationships after starting NFP.
Additionally, because the method mandates a period of abstinence, couples may experience a "honeymoon period" when they can resume relations.
"Couples have said that NFP can add excitement to the relationship," Poehailos said.
Contrary to most people's understanding of NFP, research has indicated that NFP is very effective in preventing pregnancy. According to research cited by Poehailos, couples who abstained from intercourse during the fertile period, 0.6 percent experienced an unplanned pregnancy.
Mary Brand, an instructor of NFP, agreed that participation is important for both partners.
"It is good for any woman to know her body, but it's beneficial for men to be involved because of his role in the abstinence period," she said.
It is important to know, however, that this method cannot protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Before attempting to use this method, it is imperative that couples attend a training course. According to Brand, the course is split over two sessions, and participants are taught the background of the method as well as its relation to theology, since NFP is one of the methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. They are also taught basic biology and how the method works. Then, for about a month, the couple uses this information to practice charting temperature changes and monitoring the cervical mucus. At the second session, couples practice reading sample charts. After training, instructors remain in contact with the couples until they are able to use the method on their own.
Poehailos described NFP is a very pro-woman method.
"She learns about her body and how it works, and her husband learns to respect the natural rhythm she was born with," she said. "I think women need to look at this as something that can empower them and the way they look at their body and their health."
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