No longer “guess work,” Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an effective, scientifically based method of family planning that treats fertility as a normal, healthy process. Fertility Matters™ is a Sympto-Thermal Method which is based on changes in a woman’s cervical mucus, waking or resting temperature, and cervix. These observable signs change in response to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. It only takes seconds a day for a woman to track her fertility; then the couple interprets the chart and makes a decision based on their family planning intention. NFP works through periodic abstinence during the method-defined fertile time for couples who are avoiding a pregnancy. NFP can be used effectively throughout a woman’s entire reproductive life. Regular cycles are NOT required. NFP is NOT Calendar Rhythm.

Does it work?
It can be highly effective for couples who are avoiding or achieving a pregnancy. Couples who are taught well, understand the method, are clear about their family planning intention, and carefully follow all the rules for avoiding a pregnancy all the time will experience a 98 to 99.9 percent effectiveness rate. Couples who occasionally do not follow all the rules for avoiding a pregnancy will most likely experience a pregnancy rate similar to condoms and other barrier methods of family planning.

How do I learn?
Effective use of NFP involves learning from a certified NFP Provider. NWFS provides several ways for women and couples to learn NFP. In Person: There are certified NFP Providers in most states; please contact us for the name of someone close to you. Online: You can sign up through this link and begin taking a quality course in the Sympto-Thermal Method and receive personalized follow-up with a certified NFP Provider. Correspondence: You can receive the core content via mail and receive the same personalized follow-up. This can be ordered through our catalog.

Who can use NFP?

• Couples who want to share responsibility for family planning
• Couples who are avoiding a pregnancy
• Couples who are trying to achieve a pregnancy
• Women who want to understand their menstrual cycle
• Women during all phases of their reproductive life: typical, long, or short cycles, after childbirth and discontinuation of hormonal contraception, while breastfeeding, and during premenopause

Benefits

• Low cost
• No harmful side effects
• Highly effective for avoiding or achieving a pregnancy
• Marriage enrichment and mutual understanding
• Morally acceptable by all religious faiths
• Self understanding
• Appreciation of fertility and children
• Fosters respect for and acceptance of the total person.

Materials and Special Circumstances

NFP Brochure - Enhance the Romance
Family Planning Decision Brochure
Family Planning Decision Brochure (Spanish)
NFP Matters
Basics of NFP
Breastfeeding Guidelines
Activity 10
Activity 11
Activity 12-13 BIP other than Dry
Activity_14_Earliest_Sixth_Last_Low_Rule
Activity 15 S-20
Activity 16 BBT Rule
Activity 17 Mean Temperature Rule
Activity 18 Early Dry Days Rule