Natural Birth Control: Safe, Effective and Little Known

[dennilane]

I have my second child because of that book.



[dennilane]

I have my second child because of that book.

[sassycat504]

I am very sorry that you have to go through life think that your girl parts are broken!! Its a large social stigma of fertility in general! When thing of how the healthcare system work!

[nightroses1]

You do realize that you can get pregnant at any time not just when you are MOST fertile right?

[applebritta]

Great video! I'm definitely going to read this book!

[Balgore8]

"all the other days, it cant happen". Dont give total misinformation to young girls having unprotected sex lol. It is Less likely to happen, but never not a possibility. EVEN during your period, it is technically possible to get pregnant.

So, girls under 18 - Use protection.

[MelissaJenna]

@Balgore8 It's not misinformation. If you don't have intercourse during the days you are fertile, and the days leading up to the days you are fertile, you will not get pregnant. You're fertile even when you're on your period, so yeah, you can conceive when you're on your period. The thing most people don't understand is how to determine when they are fertile and when they are not. That's why educating yourself is so important.

[MelissaJenna]

@Balgore8 I'd recommend to everyone, regardless of age to abstain or use protection during times of fertility, unless they're hoping to conceive. And if you're having intercourse outside of marriage, I'd recommend using protection EVERY time regardless, because that's the only way to prevent the transmission/reception of sexually transmitted infections.

[MelissaJenna]

@Balgore8 But really, the safest choice for your physical and emotional health is to not have intercourse with someone you're not married to.

[Balgore8]

@MelissaJenna That is all good advise Melissa, thanks for the feedback. Keep in mind though, it is technically possible for a woman to get pregnant ANY day of the month, regardless of ovulation cycles. It is just extremely unlikely. Either way, we are both on the same page in the end... Use protection unless it is with your partner, and you want kids.

[angelfoodcake1979]

@Balgore8 This is medically not true. Unless you speak "mathematically", of course. Through the help of statistics we can say that if you average out the potential of getting pregnant and interpolate it over the whole of a cycle, then I believe you are left with a 4% chance on ANY given day. This is just a mathematical excercise though and no clinical studies reflect this thought. In clinical studies it is very much no egg=no baby. The variable is always the fertilisation period of sperm.

[angelfoodcake1979]

@Balgore8 I don't think she is saying that you cannot get pregnant during your period. Depending on the way your cycle pans out, of course you can get pregnant during your period. Also, I think scare tactics are not helping anyone. Women should be empowered through knowledge. This is currently not happening.

[sssarahxo1]

We learnt a little about this method in catholic school and I found it very interesting, it's shocking how more people aren't aware of it!

[angelfoodcake1979]

@sssarahxo1 I agree with you. It is even more shocking that our doctors don't know/want to know about them. Given how much provision they earn on prescribing hormonal BC products, I cannot say I am surprised though. Sad world!

[weding2011]

Hi! Love the video! I am going to start NFP, but there is so much info that I am going nuts PLUS I don't have the money for the classes, is that book really all that? xoxo

[MelissaJenna]

@weding2011 The book is GREAT. I mean, take a class if you can, eventually, but until then, memorize the book. :)

[angelfoodcake1979]

@weding2011 Hi, there are several online forums that have a vibrant community, where people offer their advice and answer your questions for free. The TCOYF book has an accompanying discussion forum and you can chart online for free. If you are interested in fertility monitors, there is the aphroditewomenshealth (google it) portal, with a subsection on natural birth control with many women very happy to answer all your questions, no matter if you use pure NFP or a lady comp/ferility monitor.

[nellijc88]

You're very like-able. I just stumbled upon your videos today. I like your channel. Keep up the good work. I found this video to be very interesting. Never knew of this method either.

[2dazlious]

Seriously?!?! I don't wanna insult you or something like that, but don't you have biology class in the USA??!!? Doesn't EVERYBODY learn that at school?! I mean are you kidding me? Wow! In my homecountry in ninth grade (at the very latest) you learn everything about the cycle and also about these kinds of "natural birth control" (and also that it's not THAT safe and mostly not suitable for younger girls-I dont need to explain why I guess) Until now I just assumed it was like that in the USA too

[angelfoodcake1979]

@2dazlious we learnt about the cycle in school in Germany. Still, nobody told us about alternatives to hormones which can have serious effects on your health (I got sick). Also, modern studies into nfp were never presented and doctors cash in generously through provisions for prescribing hormonal BC. Modern studies by the WHO as well as national studies in the US as well as Germany and other European countries and Switzerland contradict your layman's "not that safe" statement convincingly.

[ihavemonkeysinmybutt]

you should have paid attention in high school health class - I learned about this in Health class in my junior year.

[ihavemonkeysinmybutt]

@ihavemonkeysinmybutt and im a dude..

[stina2bina]

Thanks for this video :) I must say you have a very lovable personality.

I'm Catholic and I'm sick of gettting bashed and marked as ignorant because I want to use Natural Family Planning. BBC issued an article a few years ago that stated NFP is JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS THE PILL. This shocks a lot of people. Anyway, here's the article for anyone who wants to read it. :)

C:\Users\User\Desktop\Interest­ing Stuff\Articles\Contraception & NFP\BBC NEWS Health Natural contraception 'effective'.mht

[iheartkenziefly]

It's also the pharmaceutical companies that want to keep you away from natural methods. They make a lot of money from giving out birth control, and doctors are pretty much supporters of that industry. I love this idea =] The answer is not always drugs to swallow, sometimes it's just learning about our bodies and keeping it healthy

[strongbutmighty]

hahaha im 13...and i knew that

[angelfoodcake1979]

I have read this book now too, and I'm shocked how lax Toni interprets the rules of FAM; no wonder her method only has a PI of 2!!! Try Margaret Nofziger "A cooperative Method of Natural Birth Control", it's more scientific, more strict, more compact, respectfully written and much safer!!

[alynng08]

I use FAM lol im 21 and just had a baby and use the diaphragm its great i love it.

[likeyounome]

the natural method is good, however you can still get pregnant even when you are not ovulating those couple of days a month. So a good use it to use condoms which are safe, unless you have an allergy to latex, then use a different type of condom. Tracking your ovulation cycle is good for helping you get pregnant, but I wouldn't use it as a form of birth CONTROL. That is why your doctors probably did not tell you about it.

[ReliableInsider]

I don't know why gynecologists push pills like drug dealers because you're right: even though the dosages are -much- lower and healthier than they used to be, there are still risks (especially for women who smoke--yet another reason to quit smoking or even better to never try cigarettes in the first place).

And I am very much in favor of sex education. Men and especially women need to know how all the female sexual reproductive organs work and/or go haywire occasionally.

[ReliableInsider]

@ReliableInsider

Education is great!

But 'natural birth control' is hard work, more work than any other form of birth control.

Why not just use an IUD or a condom or a diaphragm?

Millions of couples have been using IUD's forever in Europe and I haven't heard of any problems with them. And my understanding is that they're very effective.

If you're married, you just have your gyno put it in and forget it. What could be easier?

IUDs.

Safe, effective . . . and little known. : )

[angelfoodcake1979]

@ReliableInsider I had a copper IUD: I got permanent bleeding from it after having no problems for about 2 years, although my gyn swore it sits textbook perfect. He put me on the pill, to "regulate" my cyle, the problem did not go away. After 3 months of constant bleeding I had enough and got it removed. Bleeding stopped. EVERY contraceptive method has pros and cons. It is not fair saying you haven't heard of any side effects. There are plenty. Read the broshures.

[ReliableInsider]

@angelfoodcake1979

Millions of women do use it . . . but constant bleeding sounds terrible; I'm glad it stopped right away.

[angelfoodcake1979]

There was a study in Europe on FAM in 2004 and the PI was 0.4. That's pretty good and comparable with the pill. The method in this study was closer to the one used by the Austrian doctor called Roetzer.

I found the book you have very confusing, especially the "dry day rule" makes no sense really. Doctors don't like advising you to use FAM because they get money from the pharmaceutical companies for prescribing pills and they are rarely trained in FAM either. I had many laugh at me for using it.

[cre8ive2noend]

I agree, it is very good to know your body. Us women need to know ourselves in order to be healthy (and happy!:) ) My Vlog is about my infertility process to fertility & parenthood. Valuable information we all need...have you checked out this site about fertility issues (its called the "5 waiting wombs") I love it. Its a group of girls that rotate talking about issues and topics concerning fertility.

[ChrisBovington]

When you said you've never heard of the fertility window before, I was shocked. This stuff was taught to me and my peers repeatedly at school, year after year (and I'm male!). I guess this just goes to show the value of sex-education.

[aarongmoore]

I wish I could say that I too find it shocking that you (and probably the fast majority of people in our generation) had not been aware of the information you talk about in this video. I won't say that though because I'm actually not shocked at all. I believe part of the reason for a lack of knowledge goes to the education systems in various countries. Part of the blame also goes to parents. I'd say a (possibly smaller percentage) of the blame goes to us for not educating ourselves.

[aarongmoore]

My comment above might make it seem like I think I know everything about fertility or menstrual cycles or conception. I think I know more than a lot of people but I don't think I know everything there is to know.

I understand why you'd feel a bit awkward talking about this sort of thing. As one of your male viewers, I thank you for this video!

[ribbitquack]

I don't think that any intelligent person would judge you and I'm glad that you're speaking about this subject which most of us know so little about. I've try to inform myself on this subject. I'm confused though, isn't that method the rhythm method? In any case, thank you. You've enlightened me a little more and peaked my interest as far as research on natural birth control.

[keepbabbling]

My husband and I use Natural Family Planning. We love it.

I have a crazy cycle, but I always know when I'm infertile because the signs are the same--the mucus starts drying up and my basal temperature goes up. I don't find it at all hard to use the method, and I'm always 100% confident that I know what my body's up to no matter the length of my cycle.

It's been hugely beneficial for our relationship also. Intercourse is only one way of being intimate; everything else isn't just "foreplay."

[angelfoodcake1979]

@keepbabbling Hi, my DF and I use the method too. We found it after I had gotten very sick from hormonal BC. Two years on and we love it. I could not imagine ever doing anything else again. Thanks for your comment. It's good to hear from others who successfully practice NFP/FAM.

[Gatosaenz]

Right but doctors don't recommend the natural way because it's not effective and it doesn't apply the same to everybody. Not every woman has a regular period and not every man ejaculates the same way or at the same speed, and not every man's sperm is as "strong" or whatever. I personally knew about this, I was told by my mother and at school, I don't know...everybody around me seemed to know about it, but at the same time they were skeptical, as am I.Always trust the condom and the pill, i say

[angelfoodcake1979]

@Gatosaenz I suspect you talk about Rhythm. For FAM you don't need regular cycles. And a European study in 2004 on roughly 8thousand women concluded that it's effective with a PI of 0.4, which is very comparable to the pill. FAM includes the possible longevity of sperm. However, contraception is a personal choice and everyone should be given enough information to allow for them to really make this choice.

[Maniac742]

I find it odd that moms get together and talk about fertility. I mean, hello, you're already moms. I think the fertility discussion is a little after the fact.

In terms of birth control, I still prefer with the tried and true. Yes, there are certain side effects to pills and IUDs, but IUDs at least only introduce hormones into your uterus, as opposed to your blood stream. They're also good for a long time, so I don't have to watch her actually take the pill like a hawk.

[angelfoodcake1979]

@Maniac742 IUD's do not just introduce the hormones to the uterus. Neither does the nuva ring. Just because they are placed there, they still affect your whole body and your hormonal system, i.e. same side effects are possible as with the pill. It's a personal choice of course, but with an IUD, remember that it's only as effective as the doctor who inserts it, and there is nothing in the world you can do to improve the method. IF it moves, tough, you wouldn't even know until you are pregnant.

[selennnmuch]

I'm 17 and I've know about this method for a few months now.

I can't believe you were unaware of this !

[stalkher]

can you explain more about the irregular period? a lot of my friends (including myself) have irregular periods or don't get their period very often (if at all). doctors always say to get on the pill so you will get your period but don't explain why it happens or what it means for wanting to conceive later on.

[MelissaJenna]

@stalkher Well, it's tough 'cause I'm no doctor, but for me my cycle is typically very long, and sometimes I'll skip months. The length thing is normal, but the skipping of months can be due to a number of factors like stress, heavy physical exertion and sudden weight loss. They told me to get on the pill too, but I had to try a few different kinds before I found one that didn't make me sick or totally hormonal.

[MelissaJenna]

@stalkher Oh, also, if you have a really low BMI that can make your cycle irregular, which was the case for me I think. Once I got my BMI up, I stopped skipping months. Regarding wanting to conceive later on, it's important to know if & when you're ovulating. The book can help with that, in addition to at-home ovulation kits. I like the Fertility Awareness Method though, 'cause it's free and pretty darn accurate.

[aveslp]

Technically, this is a tweaked version of the rhythm method. I've also read that the effectiveness is directly related to how regular your cycle is. Just FYI :)

[corndog642]

Fascinating. And I don't see any problem with you talking about your cycle. We are living in the information age after all. Not that I needed to know nor have anything to do with that info. But I agree, if it's not common knowledge and it's valuable it should be put out there. And there shouldn't be any shame regarding our bodies. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

[LiberumVir]

It's wonderful to see someone saying "screw taboo" and sharing important information they have learned. I'm tired of people not talking about things simply because of sociological taboo. It's not like this is some unnatural or grotesque thing. It is something every woman experiences and has the right to know. Bravo miss!

[alliteration1247]

What was I gonna say? Oh, I agree, it'd probably not be very reliable to tell young teenagers about this method especially because there are so many hormones going on there that it'd be easy to mistake symptoms for just gas or something. Also, I don't think most 16 or 17 year-olds would be able to be responsible about keeping on top of it. Do you think it's immoral to give teenagers their birth control options? from my view, abstinence only "education" is bordering on abuse.

[MelissaJenna]

@alliteration1247 I think they should be well informed of what they're bodies are capable of, and how to behave responsibly, whatever their choices are. Personally, I would like FAM taught as a means for girls to asses their gynecological health, if anything.

[alliteration1247]

@MelissaJenna FAM is the birth control thingy you're doing right? I definitely agree that they should know it exists but, I think it's a little risky for young girls to rely on it, I guess. Blah blah blah, Condoms, blah blah blah.

[Drav1212]

I would like to learn mroe about your cycles. How are your cycles "irregular?"

[username684]

hi it's really nice that you share what you learn with us, it's very interesting. On that subject I just wanted to say that sometimes the spermatozoid lives longer than "average life expectancy" and it can "survive" until the "window" opens ...

[audadvnc]

My high school g/f & I used the rhythm method for years and somehow managed to avoid pregnancy during our time together. Once she switched over to the Pill, her weight control went totally out the window. Nowadays, my partner is post-menopausal, and birth control is no longer an issue. Our love life is wonderful, and happily unobstructed by a need for birth control - but my mother got accidently pregnant at age 50, so be forewarned...

[kkcooke]

it's really good that you shared this information... it wasn't awkward at all.. Natural is cheaper and healthier

[tommax26]

Thanks Melissa. Not a problem in your sharing. In fact, I want to add a thought. For a women it may be 2 days a month fertile, but also remember that a man's sperm in the women's birth canal can live 72 hours, some longer. So if she is figuring she is safe the two or three days before her fertility window, the sperm may still be around "just waiting in the wings" to hop a ride on an egg. Does the book address this "timing" issue?

Tom

[MelissaJenna]

@tommax26 You're right on-- in fact, sperm can live for up to five days in fertile-quality cervical fluid! The book does address that in a lot more detail than I did. :)

[AnnaMayaHouse]

Again: I'm not dismissing your choice. (Though I personally feel this natural method is unreliable, certainly if you have an irregular cycle, and thus not a true form of birth control.) There are things to be said for not tampering with your natural rhythm. Yet, I strongly disagree with the generalizations you've made about contraceptives based on your own, personal experience. All women are different. What works for some will not work for others.

[MelissaJenna]

@AnnaMayaHouse The common misconception is that every woman's cycle is 28 days in length, when in fact it can range from 26 days to 30+ and still be considered "normal" and healthy. By those more accurate standards, true menstrual irregularity is rare; most women can practice the Fertility Awareness Method and, assuming they're consistent and accurate, expect it to be as effective as oral contraceptives. Again, many women are happy with their BC as it is, but could learn more about their bodies.

[AnnaMayaHouse]

@MelissaJenna

By 'irregular' I don't mean that a woman's cycle differs from the standard 28 days, but that it may vary from month to month. It's possible that a woman has a short cycle followed by an extremely long one. This can happen due to any number of reasons: she only just started ovulating for the first time, she entered into menopause, she lost an extreme amount of weight, it's just 'how her body works' etc. In these cases it becomes exceedingly difficult to predict anything.

[AnnaMayaHouse]

Weight gain does happen sometimes, yet this can be remedied by changing to a different type of pill, possibly with a lower dosage. In your blog post you also mention the increased risk of stroke, which is really mostly a danger to women who smoke. And on your last point in that post: the pill actually balances out one's cycle and can make it LESS painful. Moreover, it is commonly prescribed to women with hormonal conditions like severe acne or polycystic ovary syndrome.

[AnnaMayaHouse]

While I can certainly understand your choice for natural family planning, I feel you are making a gross generalization (and are in fact spreading misinformation) by dismissing common contraceptives so easily. Yes, some women do get pregnant while on the pill. This is rare however, if the contraceptive is taken correctly. It is also simply not true that everyone experiences side effects from the pill.

[MelissaJenna]

@AnnaMayaHouse You're totally right, not everyone experiences side effects from the pill, and for many women it works like a charm for the duration of time that they're fertile. Unfortunately, no method is fool-proof, and conceptions do occur with every method. My primary concern is this: if I conceive a child, planned or not, I want to keep that baby if it's within my control to do so.

[AnnaMayaHouse]

@MelissaJenna

I can understand that concern. I am just disappointed that you would (or seem to) brush off common contraceptives simply because they haven't worked for you personally. This kind of thinking is extremely damaging to young girls in my opinion. They should know that they have options, and that methods like the pill are scientifically proven to be effective. You seem to be ready to have another child regardless of whether it's planned or not, but this isn't option for all women.

[MelissaJenna]

@AnnaMayaHouse Methods like the pill, Nuva-Ring and IUD (copper and types like Minerva) can cause miscarriage in what would have otherwise been a healthy birth environment, and eventually a healthy baby. Personally (and I want to stress that this is a /personal/ concern and not one that I would hold anyone else to), it would be very difficult to forgive myself if I miscarried a child because I willfully ingested hormones, or chose to make my uterus a hostile environment.

[alliteration1247]

@MelissaJenna Because it feels like in some capacity it would be an abortion? I totally understand that. And I really respect your choice.

[AnnaMayaHouse]

@MelissaJenna

I'm curious though what you define as a miscarriage. To me, a miscarriage is when an egg is lost after nestling itself and going through several cell divisions. It sounds like you would consider any fertilized egg that wasn't able to develop (because the pill prevented it from taking hold) a miscarriage. If this is what you mean, I wish you would've said we were entering a moral debate. Because to people using the pill, this kind of egg rejection is what's supposed to happen.

[ShaneM686]

natural method is iud... isn't it more expensive?

or do u mean the natural method being the cycle... girl i date has a crazy cycle though.. sometimes goes without period or a "real" period for a couple months. anyways, it is normal i guess..

[ambularofamber]

This was excellent. I was in the same boat. My dr was trying to get me to use the IUD..after talking with our family priest (Yes, the family priest! *cringe*) I learned about this. I am with you on the b.c. I already have enough hormonal surges going on being a pretty emotional female I do not need anymore. We did this successfully for 1 year and then decided to have our 2nd son...and now back to this...too many side effects with b.c. and yes, the miscarriage rates. I wish my dr. had told me.