I am considering discontinuing my oral bc pills due to unwanted side effects, namely decreased libido. I have been on them for over a year, and ever since I started them, I can barely muster any interest in sex, whatsoever.
SO, for those of you who use natural family planning, I am looking for your advice, wisdom, experiences. What steps do you take to prevent pregnancy? How successful - or unsuccessful have you been using this method?
I plan to do my homework on this subject, but I always like the personal advice I get from you ladies who have been there, done that!
Thanks for any info you can share.
This method works very well. However, the catch is that when your libido is at its peak, you must abstain. That can be frustrating. Our bodies were designed to be most interested when we are most likely to conceive. It's a pretty neat mechanism.
It works great, unless you have sex when you know that you shouldn't! Taking your temp every day is good, and my husband is geek, so he kept the charts, and that was helpful, because it was not just me doing something. The physical signs, like mucos, will give you confirmation that you are right on track with your predictions. Mine were always in sync. If you ignore it, you may get pregnant...that happend to me! We knew better...oh well, could not live without our number 3 baby.
M.
While not a direct answer to your question, perhaps its something to consider... I use the non hormonal IUD called ParaGard. The reason I chose this route was because of the side effects I have with oral BC pills. I used it for 5 years prior to having our first child and I'm using it now. You might check into it :)
We have used FAM method for years now with awesome use. also works great for the other way around..lol anyhow read "taking charge of your fertility" Follow ALL the rules, Read it a few times and learn the things to look out for. Again follow ALL the rules and it works amazingly and remember if your not sure use a condom or other form of control like a sponge or cervical cap. We did choose to use the method of using a condom during fertile times instead of abstanance, so of course the risk increases a bit but just to that of (for us) the condom failure rate...lol My hubby did now choose to get snipped so after breastfeeding this munckin I don't (have to) use the method still but I do enjoy knowing the Day exact that I will get my period as I can tell by my body temperature...so nice :)
Back when bc was needed, we just used condoms. Then we didn't have to keep track of anything.
I second the recommendation for Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I found it to be a very informative book, and while I haven't used it for birth control yet, I plan to after I give birth to baby #2 in March. After being on birth control pills for well over a decade, I've decided I need a non-hormonal approach.
I think the important thing with this method is that you have to commit to it and not try to do it halfway, that's how accidents happen. Do your homework, as you have said and see if this is something you can see yourself and your partner sticking to. Good luck to you.
Ok, so I don't totally qualify as a "natural family planner" but I CAN relate! BC pills do the same thing to me. When I went off of them to try for our 2nd child, I decided that I was going to go natural after giving birth. Well, I have to say that I am just not comfortable with the 20% average chance of getting pregnant. We are feeling really good about two kids right now, although we MAY think about additional children in the future. So....what to do??
I decided to get the Mirena IUD. It does relase a hormone - but progesterone only. And it is an even lower dose of progesterone than the mini-pill (almost nothing! - I took that when I was nursing my first.) I have had it for almost 2 months and haven't had any issues. I also have friends that have it and love it. You don't have to think about it. Nothing to remember. It is good for 5 yrs. It is as effective (statistically) as having your tubes tied...but you can start trying to get pregnant immediately after having it removed. I know there are some crazy side effects listed as possible...but there are with BC pills too. They are all pretty rare. I never had a problem with the pills, the patch, or (so far) this IUD. And I have more libido now than I have had on any other form of BC. Now... I do have a 4 yo and a 3mth old and I am nursing, so I am tired from that....but I still have some desire! (Which is pretty great for me!) :o)
Best of luck. Talk to your care provider. I asked TONS of questions because I was scared by some of the possible side effects, but my midwife went through everything with me - statistics about how often things happen, etc. They are all VERY RARE. I decided it was the right choice for me. I hope you find the right choice for you as well.
hi! Some good reading material is 'Taking charge of your Fertility" by- Toni Weschler! Chapter 9 is GREAT its called "Natural Birth Control Without Chemical or devices" ! I am not on any Birth control at all. I pretty much know my cycle and can tell when I am ovulating. We just don't have sex around that time. Good luck finding what works for you!
