natural family planning contraception

[happynanny1983]

does anybody know a natural family planning consultant....? i am fed up with using hormones for contraception and want to do it the natural way

[Convex]

There is a book.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/NATURAL-BIRTH-CONTROL-MADE-SIMPLE/dp/0897934032/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_5

A friend has used this for over 10 years and has had 100% success in both preventing and not preventing pregnancy!

[Saffron]

If you are using the Rhythm Method for family planning, I have read (and I agree!) that ovulation is the time during each cycle that most women's libidos are at their highest. So using the Rhythm Method alone means a couple must refrain from intercourse during the time the woman's libido is highest. That can be difficult for some couples, hence why the RM has a dodgy rep!

If you are looking for longer term contraception, say 1-5 years, then ask your GP/gynae nurse about having a plain copper coil (copper IUD) with no hormones. Synthetic hormones always gave me problems, although the contraception was good. I'm much happier with my copper IUD.

Best of luck finding something that works for you. I know this is a problem for a lot of couples. xx

[Otta]

This has just reminded me of Billy Connolly talking about the rhythm method.

?Only a celibate could come up with the line: ?at the point of ejaculation withdraw.? Oh yeah!?! Is that right Father!?! Well let me tell you something: At the point of ejaculation there isn?t a bloody herd of wild horses that could make my **** go in that direction.?

[Convex]

Although you can simply use condoms during your fertile days, it doesn't mean abstaining. I found the book really interesting although I knew I would t be organised enough to follow it properly and you have to do it religiously to make it work, al least at first.

[susyp]

I looked into the copper coil as i can't have hormones, but it does have the side effect of makng your periods much heavier which I couldn't cope with! Also heard it was painful to be fitted! I am thinking of going the natural family planning route although for health reasons I really can't afford to get pregnant - so figure maybe to try it when I hit the big 40 in a couple of years when I am less likely to get pregnant anyway. Figure even if you have to use condoms occasionally at least if you aren't restricted to having to use them all the time it would be a better situation. Also I really should plot my chart as I have really chronic PMT now I am no longer on the pill and at least if I could predict when it was coming I could probably manage it better and not be so horrible to my family! So will look into that book, sounds good.

susypx

[tiddles]

coil!! no pain, no problems with periods, and no pregnancies!!

[susyp]

copper coil? did you have local anasthetic to have it fitted. nurse who i saw said she needed several changes of s pads nightly (sorry tmi) since going on the coil?

i went through a whole cap fitting as well and never got the hang of it - if anything is going to put me off sex it would be that.

i might have to start a new thread about coil rather than hijack this one- would be brilliant if i could have one. Just not keen on any big medical procedures.

susypx

[Saffron]

The changes a coil may cause to your periods are different from woman to woman. The copper coil did make my periods a bit heavier the first day or two, but still within the range of normal.

If you have never had a baby, having a coil fitted is like a very strong period pain (my personal experience at least), and then a bit uncomfortable for about a day afterwards. I also thought having it removed was a painful, but the pain only lasted 1 sec. When it was out, there was no residual pain.

Of course after I had Little Saff, I was a bit nervous about getting a new coil but it wasn't at all painful, just a bit uncomfortable(I was ~6wks postpartum). However, the nurse should have left my threads a bit longer, b/c 2 yrs postpartum my cervix/pelvic floor has fully contracted into its previous shape, and now my threads are so short that it's tough to find them to check them. Caveat, if you're recently postpartum and want an IUD, have them leave your threads a bit longer for maybe 6mo-1yr!

[susyp]

arg just did a search about this - i already have 7 day periods and v bad pain so I don't think this is an option for me - and seriously i can't subject myself to something I know will hurt !! So will try natural planning i think. Interesting thread though, I just thought everyone else was on the pill!

susypx

[Saffron]

There is another hormonal option besides the pill. I used to have this overseas when it was first on the market, but it's been slow to market here in the UK: http://www.nuvaring.co.uk/ . When I had this, I didn't have the same side effects as with the pill, b/c it has a more local effect rather than systemic like the oral pill. In fact it was the only hormonal contraception I really liked, but now I have a coil I don't bother obviously. I just thought I'd add the info b/c not a lot of people seem to know about it.

[midivydale]

I have used the persona fertility monitor to assist wih the natural approach as taking hormones is not a good option for me for medical reasons. This method is not perfect especially if you have issues with ovulation regularity (i have pcos so would fall in this category) but may be worth looking into.

[GinaG3]

I'm praying for a breakthrough in the ongoing research into male oral contraceptives. They think it's still several years off, but it's very realistic. That will be the day! I too am very sensitive to hormones and have several chronic gynaecological issues and am still painfully waiting more diagnosis. On pill right now, hate it. Consultants keep pushing contraceptives, I keep taking, keep complaining they make things worse. I tried coil, fitting failed. They offered to do it during a surgical procedure I was having anyway under general but I refused. FYI it can be done at kings under local anaesthetic as minor surgery. Besides that I'm not allowed to try anything with other than progestrogen only. Would love to try natural contraception, but my partner wouldn't trust it. He doesn't want more kids, I do, but with medical conditions I'm in limbo as to risk leaving it, or to rush to do it now. It's hard slog being a woman sometimes..

[Saffron]

Oral hormonal contraceptives were identified as a possible cause of chronic gynae problems that I was previously having. This is far more common that doctors realize, IME. If you have, or suspect you have, recurrent vaginal thrush or bacterial vaginosis, recurrent UTIs, vestibulitis, or vulvodynia, I would strongly recommend that you discontinue oral or other systemic (patches/jabs) contraceptive hormones.

(While NuvaRing is a combined hormonal vaginal ring, I understand that a progestin-only ring is in development and may be available to a limited market. GinaG3, press your GP or gynae specialist for more information. I had less gynae symptoms with a vaginal ring.)

[Dudley]

I am also interested in finding a natural family planning consultant.

There is also another book: ttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Reproductive/dp/0091887585/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340824999&sr=8-1

I know 2 people (in Ireland) who do it.

I have not looked into it thoroughly enough for myself to be confident using it but I can offer the following.

Taking your temperature every morning is the basis it. There is a tiny increase just before you ovulate.

You have to have been asleep I think something like 4 hours beforehand which if you have children is difficult.

There is then a period (if you will) of time when it is likely you could get pregnant.

During this time you can abstain (usually for religious reasons) or use condoms etc.

This can be a good method but you have to be absolutely dedicated to the fine details involved. Some would say this is an advantage; you really know your body once you get the hang of it.

Please let me know if you find someone.

[Scientist]

The Camberwell walk in clinic on Denmark Hill has plenty of nurses and doctors who are specialists in reproductive health.... many of them can tell you exactly how to do natural family planning, just say that's what you're interested in when you register. Alternatively, you could go to the Margaret Pyke Centre in central London, which is one of the country's leading reproductive medicine clinics, I'm sure there'll be someone there who can oblige.

[Carbonara]

What do you call a woman who uses the rythm method?

Mum!

Do barrier methods not appeal?

[susyp]

My partner is particularly annoying as i cannot use hormones due to having had breast cancer, for same reason can't risk having another baby - and he complains all the time about condoms - but won't consider a vascetamy. Hence I don't really see why I should have a coil when it is likely it will make my already problematic periods worse. Yes, bring on male contraception. grr

Susypx

[Carbonara]

Sorry to hear that, susyp, Your partner is being very selfish and inconsiderate, in the circumstances.