Natural family planning and abstinence

[kptrs]

A practical suggestion so that you will not want to indulge in these illicit practices:

We have at times struggled with abstinence and like you finding the only time I enjoyed sex was during or just before fertile times.

But by learning NFP fully and observing fertile signs carefully, we now find that we can enjoy full relations much closer to ovulation than before … 4, 3 or 3 even 2 days before predicted ovulation, whereas before we abstained once we got to 6 days before - at a time when I had no real interest in sex.
You do not say what NFP method you use? Maybe therefore NFP lessons and/or a good teacher will help ?

I know your heart is in the right place, but I would be VERY careful about advising this. If one has serious reasons to avoid pregnancy, having relations two days prior to the predicted ovulation date is not a good idea. You are lucky if it works for you, but I would say it’s the exception rather than the rule.

 

[M1986]

I just follow the book “Taking Charge of Your Fertility.” Since sperm can live inside the woman for up to five days it is not recommended to have intercourse so close to your predicted ovulation date. But I have been doing some thinking after all of the info I have received here. I will channel my heightened desire for intimacy around that time of the month into being a more thoughtful and attentive wife to my husband. There is satisfaction in seeing him happy and this will bring us closer together.

 

[jeanj]

I accept what you say … and stand corrected.

We have used NFP for a long time and a confident for us- but certainly this was not general advice and would not dare do that for others.

i was more using our experience to make the point that with NFP used carefully, the time between starting to abstain and ovulation CAN be shorter thus hopefully reducing their temptation/dilemma.

But we do not know what NFP exactly is being used … as even 4 or days for a new rhythm method user could be very unwise if they have good reasons to avoid a pregnancy whilst an experienced symptom-thermal used MIGHT be OK with 3 days etc.

Hope that clarifies and thank you for your tactful correction!

 

[Rau]

I know your heart is in the right place, but I would be VERY careful about advising this. If one has serious reasons to avoid pregnancy, having relations two days prior to the predicted ovulation date is not a good idea. You are lucky if it works for you, but I would say it’s the exception rather than the rule.

Given sperm can live for several days after ejaculation, I don’t see how this could be sound practice for any fertile couple wishing to avoid.