Natural family planning, also called fertility awareness, means tracking the changes in your body and predicting when you’re most likely to get pregnant.
You then use other, non-hormonal contraception during this fertile time, which can last up to 10 days. Natural family planning is less effective than other methods of contraception.
Natural family planning does not provide protection against STIs.
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How does it work?
Natural family planning involves checking and recording fertility signs, such as body temperature, changes to menstrual cycle or cervical discharge, to work out when you’re more likely to get pregnant.
You can then avoid having sex, or use other contraception in the period when you’re more likely to get pregnant.
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Advantages
- Natural family planning does not cause any side effects.
- When used correctly all the time, it is between 91% and 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
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Disadvantages
- If you do not follow the exact instructions, it is only 76% effective.
- This means 24 in 100 women will get pregnant when tracking their fertility for a year.
- It can take up to 6 months of tracking your cycle before you feel confident about predicting ovulation and knowing when to use extra precautions.
- It is not recommended for those who have irregular periods, travel across time zones or do shift work as these can make it more difficult to work out your menstrual cycle or to measure your temperature first thing in the morning.
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Seeking advice
You can find out more about preparing for pregnancy at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/pregnancy-planning