NFP Pregnancy Prevention Survey:

[micahmike]

According to Planned Parenthood, NFP when used correctly is statistically just as effective as using condoms. The problem for a lot of people is the learning curve is significantly steeper than it is for artificial methods.

Condoms and NFP to avoid would be significantly more effective than either alone, but that isn’t allowed. In the distant past, we used condoms with a 100% success rate, we currently use NFP and have experienced a 100% failure rate. Others do much better. We have not experienced any of the positive things that NFP is advertised as providing. In our experience, it has not been effective at preventing pregnancy nor has it improved our marriage. We already had a good marriage with plenty of cooperation, we never had such a pathetic marriage that it would have been improved by me simply handing my wife a thermometer each morning and keeping a chart for her. Since moving to NFP, we have less sex, more worry, and children we weren’t prepared to care for. After this pregnancy, we’ll either go back to NFP even though it has not done us any good, or we’ll abstain until menopause. I was the one who selected “I use NFP and it doesn’t work”. I used (and may use again after new baby comes) NFP in hopes that someday it might prevet a pregnancy, I use it because the only other choices the Church offers are abstinence for the next 20 years and eternal damnation. Can’t win:shrug:

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

My wife and I practice NFP in our marriage. I can tell you that since we started doing this, our marriage has been so much better. We have more intimacy in our love life. We have been practicing NFP for about a year now, and its worked very well.

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

Absolutely correct. Whe not using NFP to avoid, you can have sex on as many days as there are in the month. When using NFP, your potention go days are less, between 5 and 20 less depending who you talk to. On top of that you have the fact that many women are less interested in sex when they are not at or near their fertile times.

I had to lol at this: “…Myth #5: Couples who use NFP have less sex than the average American.” and then goes on to do nothing to dispell that “myth”. If it isn’t true, show me such by telling me how often the average NFP-er has sex vs. the average contracepting couple. This seems particularily dishonest to me.

I think that really depends on who. Lets remember that sex is not just for lust and cause it feels “good”, but a consecration of the marriage between you and your spouse with God. Me and my wife have been using it, and I am telling you, There is only about 3 days that we have to abstain from sex. Not a big deal, since there is more to marriage then sex.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Absolutely correct. Whe not using NFP to avoid, you can have sex on as many days as there are in the month. …

Sure, but who does that, is intimate on as many days as there are in the month? Apparently, the average American is intimate 5-9 times per month.

… I had to lol at this: “…Myth #5: Couples who use NFP have less sex than the average American.” and then goes on to do nothing to dispell that “myth”. If it isn’t true, show me such by telling me how often the average NFP-er has sex vs. the average contracepting couple. This seems particularily dishonest to me.

Did you also notice this, which I’ll put in red to match your quote above? REALITY: Most people most of the time are not engaged in sexual activity (see table). If couples who practice NFP were to engage in intercourse on all the days when abstinence is not required for spacing births, they would be doing so at a rate almost twice the national average!

 

[Inthemountains]

Me and my wife have been using it, and I am telling you, There is only about 3 days that we have to abstain from sex.

Bull. It is not possible to be using NFP seriously to prevent and only have 3 off limits days.

 

[cecilia97]

Bull. It is not possible to be using NFP seriously to prevent and only have 3 off limits days.

We don’t know which NFP system they are using, or the length of the woman’s cycle, any intervening health issues, or how much “risk” of pregnancy this couple is willing to take on either side of her ovulation. It’s hard to call BS with all that missing information.

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

Bull. It is not possible to be using NFP seriously to prevent and only have 3 off limits days.

Wrong, it is true. What reason would I have to make a false claim? 3 days out of the cycle… yep! Nfp is the way to go!

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

We don’t know which NFP system they are using, or the length of the woman’s cycle, any intervening health issues, or how much “risk” of pregnancy this couple is willing to take on either side of her ovulation. It’s hard to call BS with all that missing information.

I couldn’t agree more.

 

[micahmike]

Did you also notice this, which I’ll put in red to match your quote above? REALITY: Most people most of the time are not engaged in sexual activity (see table). If couples who practice NFP were to engage in intercourse on all the days when abstinence is not required for spacing births, they would be doing so at a rate almost twice the national average!

None of that addresses their “myth”, that people who do not practice NFP have sex more often.

Also, to the poster who says they only abstain for 3 days per cycle - you’re doing it wrong. I’m glad it’s working out for you, but there is no NFP-to-avoid method that can be reliable with two healthy individuals abstaining only 3 days per month.

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

None of that addresses their “myth”, that people who do not practice NFP have sex more often.

Also, to the poster who says they only abstain for 3 days per cycle - you’re doing it wrong. I’m glad it’s working out for you, but there is no NFP-to-avoid method that can be reliable with two healthy individuals abstaining only 3 days per month.

Again, if we were doing it wrong, we would know about now. Trust me, and yes, we are having about the same amount of sex as we did before NFP. Many studies show NFP when done correctly is 98% effective, compared to a condom which is what… 87% and not approved by the Church.

Trust me, its working out great, and it is every effective!

 

[Inthemountains]

We don’t know which NFP system they are using, or the length of the woman’s cycle, any intervening health issues, or how much “risk” of pregnancy this couple is willing to take on either side of her ovulation. It’s hard to call BS with all that missing information.

No, its not hard to call BS. There is not a single system of NFP that gives you only three days of abstaining if you are seriously committed to avoiding pregnancy. Ovulation cannot be predicted or identified precisely enough to make this possible, regardless of the method chosen.

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

No, its not hard to call BS. There is not a single system of NFP that gives you only three days of abstaining if you are seriously committed to avoiding pregnancy. Ovulation cannot be predicted or identified precisely enough to make this possible, regardless of the method chosen.

Speaking of bull, you my friend just proved it.

“Calendar-based methods determine fertility based on a record of the length of previous menstrual cycles. They include the Rhythm Method and the Standard Days Method. The Standard Days method was developed and proven by the researchers at the Institute for Reproductive Health of Georgetown University. CycleBeads, unaffiliated with religious teachings, is a visual tool based on the Standard Days method. According to the Institute of Reproductive Health, when used as birth control, CB has a 95% effectiveness rating.”

It is based on the calendar method we use. That is how she knows what days she is most fertile, and what days to abstain.

Thank you.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_family_planning

 

[Inthemountains]

Speaking of bull, you my friend just proved it.

“Calendar-based methods determine fertility based on a record of the length of previous menstrual cycles. They include the Rhythm Method and the Standard Days Method. The Standard Days method was developed and proven by the researchers at the Institute for Reproductive Health of Georgetown University. CycleBeads, unaffiliated with religious teachings, is a visual tool based on the Standard Days method. According to the Institute of Reproductive Health, when used as birth control, CB has a 95% effectiveness rating.”

It is based on the calendar method we use. That is how she knows what days she is most fertile, and what days to abstain.

Thank you.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_family_planning

You CANNOT be abstaining for THREE days and be serious about avoiding pregnancy. Not possible. There are some of us who seriously need to avoid pregnancy and you are spreading false information about NFP. Maybe you don’t need to seriously avoid. Maybe you are avoiding (so far) by abstaining for only three days, but you are either not actually serious about avoiding or you and your wife have low fertility. How long have you been using NFP to avoid? The following link says that if you are using the Standard Days method, you have to avoid from day 8 to 19. That, my friend, is not three days.

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

You CANNOT be abstaining for THREE days and be serious about avoiding pregnancy. Not possible. There are some of us who seriously need to avoid pregnancy and you are spreading false information about NFP. Maybe you don’t need to seriously avoid. Maybe you are avoiding (so far) by abstaining for only three days, but you are either not actually serious about avoiding or you and your wife have low fertility. How long have you been using NFP to avoid? The following link says that if you are using the Standard Days method, you have to avoid from day 8 to 19. That, my friend, is not three days.

I am glad you did your reading, and in doing that… you would KNOW that its different for every woman’s cycle, depending on how long between Menstrual Cycles and and how long they last.

“Women who have no variation in the length of their menstrual cycles can use the rhythm method to know when they are ovulating (usually 14 days before the start of their period).”

“example, if a woman has a regular 28 day menstrual cycle, counting the first day of her period as day one, then she will usually ovulate on day 14. If her cycle lasts 32 days, then she usually ovulates on day 18.”

Now remember, there are different methods of NFP. This is the Calendar or rhythm method. IF you wife cycle is not consistent, you will need to explore other methods within NFP. Now if she last an extra day on her period, we may have to abstain from additional days if needed (not a big deal, there is more to love and marriage than sex sex sex).

the temperature method

the mucus test.

Besides abstaining from sex, there is no other method of birth control that the Church has approved (that I am aware of). So again, there is NO mis-information from my side (intentional). Trust me, we do not have a problem getting pregnant. 2 Broken Condoms and “pulling out” (pre-Catholic life) and bam!! 3 beautiful Children! (Proud Parents!)

We have been using this method for a little bit over a year now, and its working great.

So yes, it works, it works great for us, and look at the different methods of NFP is the Calendar method is not an option. Every woman is different.

Thank you!

Sources: familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/contraceptive/126.html
netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/naturalfamilyplanning.htm

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Put me down for “it doesn’t work.” In our case…it didn’t, pure and simple…now I’ll duck and run for cover!

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

Also, Inthemountains,

I understand that you are trying to make NFP work, I understand this can be challenging, I want to tell you though, you are doing the right thing, and I commend you for you and you wife trying.

I hope you both are able to find a medium and make it work. Good luck to you!

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

Put me down for “it doesn’t work.” In our case…it didn’t, pure and simple…now I’ll duck and run for cover!

Not at all, for some couples I can see how it can be difficult depending on what method. I apologize if it seems I was attacking, I tend to get passionate a little about stuff I care about.

I am glad you have tried, and sorry it hasn’t worked for you, I hope you continue to work through it, and hopefully one day you can say it worked for you.

Thank you.

 

[Inthemountains]

I am glad you did your reading, and in doing that… you would KNOW that its different for every woman’s cycle, depending on how long between Menstrual Cycles and and how long they last.

“Women who have no variation in the length of their menstrual cycles can use the rhythm method to know when they are ovulating (usually 14 days before the start of their period).”

“example, if a woman has a regular 28 day menstrual cycle, counting the first day of her period as day one, then she will usually ovulate on day 14. If her cycle lasts 32 days, then she usually ovulates on day 18.”

Now remember, there are different methods of NFP. This is the Calendar or rhythm method. IF you wife cycle is not consistent, you will need to explore other methods within NFP. Now if she last an extra day on her period, we may have to abstain from additional days if needed (not a big deal, there is more to love and marriage than sex sex sex).

the temperature method

the mucus test.

Besides abstaining from sex, there is no other method of birth control that the Church has approved (that I am aware of). So again, there is NO mis-information from my side (intentional). Trust me, we do not have a problem getting pregnant. 2 Broken Condoms and “pulling out” (pre-Catholic life) and bam!! 3 beautiful Children! (Proud Parents!)

We have been using this method for a little bit over a year now, and its working great.

So yes, it works, it works great for us, and look at the different methods of NFP is the Calendar method is not an option. Every woman is different.

Thank you!

Sources: familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/contraceptive/126.html
netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/naturalfamilyplanning.htm

:banghead: You CANNOT abstain for THREE days and achieve a 95% efficacy rate. You ARE spreading misinformation. Some of us have to take NFP seriously. I’m glad you don’t.

 

[CrimsonCatholic]

:banghead: You CANNOT abstain for THREE days and achieve a 95% efficacy rate. You ARE spreading misinformation. Some of us have to take NFP seriously. I’m glad you don’t.

Okay, your not getting it.

I’m done.

 

[Inthemountains]

Okay, your not getting it.

I’m done.

No, you’re not getting it. I’d put my money on your wife being pregnant within a year. I’m done too. The only reason that I have pursued this conversation is so that anybody looking for information on NFP, with serious reason to avoid, doesn’t mistakenly believe that they can effectively use NFP with only three days of abstaining. This can be a life and death matter for some people.