Questions about NFP

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This is an update from forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=961583

We’re a couple dating who is thinking about the possibility of getting married someday. We are trying to be faithful to church teachings on sexuality and therefore are trying to learn all we can about NFP.

She has PCOS and very irregular cycles, and investigating, we have listed a number of advantages and disadvantages to NFP. They are the following:

Advantages:

• It follows church’s teachings.
• It’s natural and therefore, non-harmful.
• If done correctly, it can be increase effectiveness at achieving pregnancy when we’re ready for it.
• Keeping track of her cycle could help her notice any possible infections or concerning health issues.

Disadvantages:

• If done correctly, it implies measuring her temperature and mucus at the same time everyday.
• If done correctly, it reduces the amount of sex significantly.
• It’s really hard to do correctly.
• Sex would not be spontaneous
• It is not possible to predict ovulations with complete certainty, and sperm can survive for up to seven days after sex.
• For women with very irregular cycles—such as PCOS—abstinence may be required for months at a time.
• A lot of medications and shifts in sleep schedule can cause changes in cervical mucus, used to predict ovulation.
• The pill is the best method to prevent PCOS’ symptomps, such as amenhorrea or cysts, which in turn could cause cancer.

We would like to know if there are any methods that would work best for us. We are looking for assurance about the effectiveness of the methods and if there are any ways to eliminate or mitigate the disadvantages we listed. We would like to know your own experience as a couple, specially if you faced a similar situation. Thanks!

 

[agapewolf]

The pill is NOT the best method, in fact, it is a group 1 carcinogen, which causes cancer.

Napro technology-- with Creighton method is the way to go with health issues. I’ve been charting for 14 years, and have had PCOS along with other health issues I never would have known about if I wasn’t charting.

NFP is FOR irregular cycles. If a cycle was regular, than you would only need a calendar.

You have several assumptions made here that really don’t have factual background.

 

[jilly4ski]

The Creighton method is often the method recommend for those with health problems, because it is linked with Napro technology which is a method for treating said health issues, rather than just throwing the Pill at everything and their cousin (hormone replacements might indeed be the right treatment plan for some illnesses and some people, but not for all).

The only method that uses temperature readings is the Sympto-thermal method. I use the sympto- thermal method, but right now I am relying only on the other two symptoms and not the thermal part. (That might change in the future) . I like the sympto-thermal method because I like the cervical check, which is my clearest symptom postpartum. Other ladies like the monitor methods (Marquette, clear blue easy fertility monitor, and Ovacue fertility monitor).

 

[Corki]

*]If done correctly, it reduces the amount of sex significantly

This is exactly the opposite of the truth. NFP is not an alternative to contraception when trying to postpone the next pregnancy - it’s an alternative to complete abstinence. NFP greatly increases the amount of sex compared to total abstinence.

Actually most of your “disadvantages” disappear if you take immoral alternatives off the table. If you look at the variety of moral choices (and if you love this person, you should not want to lead her into mortal sin), the advantages are the clear winners.

 

[Allegra]

I also recommend you and your wife look into the Creighton model. I think it will eliminate several of the disadvantages you list.