Let’s Talk About Fertility Awareness-Based Methods!
Someone asked us:
When it comes to birth control, why doesn’t PP ever discuss the fertility awareness method? Used correctly, it’s 100% effective (as you can’t get pregnant if you aren’t having sex when ovulating). I think it’s another great contraceptive method, especially for women who are sensitive to hormones/don’t react well to them, and allows for a woman to be more in tune with her body and be proactive about her gynecological health.
We do discuss it! Fertility awareness-based methods or FAMs (also called “natural family planning”) are when you carefully track your menstrual cycle and/or other body signals to know when you’re ovulating, and then avoid unprotected vaginal sex during that time. Like you mentioned, it can be a great way to avoid pregnancy without using hormones, and it’s a great way to get in touch with how your body works, too.
But — and this is a big ol’ “but” — fertility awareness methods have a higher failure rate than many other kinds of birth control. One reason why it’s hard to rely on FAMs is because sperm can live inside a woman’s body for up to six days, so it’s actually possible to become pregnant even if you’re not ovulating right when sex occurs. No birth control method is 100% effective, even when used correctly (the exception, of course, being round-the-clock abstinence from vaginal sex).
FAMs require you to keep careful records, and avoid sex (or use another birth control method) for at least 10 days per menstrual cycle. It can take lots of patience and time to learn to use FAMs correctly, and many people find that kind of commitment doesn’t fit into their busy lifestyles. It’s also not very effective for people with irregular periods (especially teens), frequent abnormal discharge, or a partner who’s not committed to using FAMs correctly and consistently. And FAMs don’t prevent the spread of STDs, so that’s something else to consider.
If none of these things are issues for you, FAMs are a fine option. I’m all about people being proactive about their health, but that includes being realistic about what makes FAMs most effective and whether or not that will jive with their day-to-day lives. It’s great that you’ve found a method you’re stoked about, and many other people use and love it too, but the reason it’s not discussed as often as other methods is because it tends to have a higher failure rate in practice.
Birth control methods are like people (and snowflakes): no two are alike. And the best method is the one that works best for you.
-Kendall at PP