Book
Natural Family Planning: A Review by Hanna Klaus, M.D. (1995)
Natural Family Planning: A Review by Hanna Klaus, M.D. Published by the Natural Family Planning Center of Washington.
Periodic abstinence along with withdrawal are the oldest family planning methods. With the introduction of barrier contraceptives beginning in the mid-19th century, intrauterine devices at the beginning of the 20th century, and the oral contraceptives in the 1960's, natural methods were overshadowed by the highly focused and well-financed methods of dissemination of technological methods of contraception. According to the Demographic and Health Survey of 1993, globally 49% women aged 18-44 used reversible or permanent contraception, while 14% used some form of periodic abstinence. [Some users of withdrawal may have been included in the latter group.]
In the United States, the National Survey of Family Growth, 1990 reported 59.2% contraceptive prevalence in women 15-44 years of age. Of these, 2.3% used calendar rhythm, while 0.37% used either cervical mucus and/or temperature methods. Thus 1,558,000 women/ couples used natural family planning in the U.S. in 1990. Among these, the proportion of Roman Catholics was disproportionately high - 47-48%.
Natural family planning is planning to achieve or avoid a pregnancy by the timing of intercourse. By observing and recording certain natural symptoms and bodily changes that occur in a woman's menstrual cycle and using the information as a guide, a couple can learn to identify fertile and infertile phases in the menstrual cycle.