In 1972 the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development and the Human Life Foundation co-sponsored an international conference for natural family planning (NFP). NFP experts from around the world were in attendance and it was at this conference that the definition was developed to encompass most commonly used methods.
Natural family planning methods are means by which a couple uses the daily observations of signs and symptoms of the menstrual cycle to guide the timing of intercourse according to their desire to achieve or avoid pregnancy.
In 1976 the World Health Organization (WHO) provided an official definition which defined NFP as “the naturally occurring physiological manifestation of fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle”. The term “NFP” is not specifically Catholic; however, The Roman Catholic Church uses this terminology to describe the practice of fertility awareness based methods (FABMs) in conjunction with Catholic Church teaching on marriage and human sexuality.
There is no scientific difference between the definitions of Fertility Awareness (FA) and Natural Family Planning (NFP). These terms are generally used interchangeably within the context of the Roman Catholic Church, but you will more so see the use of NFP. The reason FA is taking off and being used more broadly is to make sure single women know that charting their cycles includes them, too!
This isn’t a practice that needs to wait or should wait until you’re engaged. Your marital status doesn’t determine if you should chart. Charting is for every woman.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that we are physical AND spiritual beings. As women, the Catholic Church wants to see us honor our bodies by understanding our fertility through charting. Your marital status doesn’t determine if you should chart.
Charting your cycle isn’t rocket science. There are instructors for a reason to help you in the process of learning what your body tells you. Your body actually tells you a story about how you’re doing and this information can help you make important decisions for your health.
Informed consent is powerful and necessary to make changes in women’s health care for the better. Knowing how your body works and engaging in that information should be made available to every woman. When you have all the options on the table, you can make informed, healthy choices.
Advocating for your health is powerful. We aren’t given the tools & skills at a young age, but we need to be. It can start today. It doesn’t matter if you’re reading this at 18, 25, 35, or 55.
Fertility awareness based methods (FABMs) are a way to track fertile and infertile times during the reproductive cycle. It is based on daily observations (temperature, cervical fluids, hormonal changes), which fluctuate each cycle. During fertile times, abstinence is practiced to avoid pregnancy. Barrier methods are not a part of FABMs due to high rates of user error.
There is no scientific difference between FABMs and FA/NFP. It is simply a terminology choice. The Roman Catholic Church refers to FABMs as NFP because she expands on the theological implications of use for a Catholic couple in their marriage. What does this really mean? It means that the Roman Catholic Church is expanding upon the fact that we are physical and spiritual beings and desires couples to integrate faith and science into their marriage and sex lives.
Fertility awareness methods (FAMs) are a way to track fertile and infertile times during the reproductive cycle. It is based on daily observations (temperature, cervical fluids, hormonal changes), which fluctuate each cycle.
The difference between FABMs and FAMs is the use of barrier methods during fertile times when a couple may be choosing to avoid pregnancy. The use of barrier methods is not in alignment with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and is not permissible for use by Catholic couples.
Methods
Click the links above to start comparing & contrasting methods!
How It Works
Based on the body signs (temperature, cervical fluids, hormonal changes)
Barrier Uses
N/A; Abstinence is practiced during the fertile window
Effectiveness
83-98% effectiveness in avoiding pregnancy (based on typical and perfect use rates)
Methods
Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs)
How It Works
Based on body signs (temperature, cervical fluids, hormonal changes)
Barrier Uses
Condom, Diaphragm, Cervical Cap, Withdrawal
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is difficult to determine because it may be based on barrier error or user error