"Natural family planning (NFP) refers to the practice of achieving or avoiding pregnancies according to an informed awareness of a woman's fertility" (rain.html). It is based on the woman's rhythmic cycles of fertility and infertility. When used properly, it has an effectiveness rating of over ninety-nine percent, both at preventing and creating pregnancy. "The Sympto-Thermal Method is a system of using the mucus and temperature signs in a crosschecking way for the highest confidence and reliability in family planning" (rain.html) Using a woman's cervical mucus and morning temperature as guides, it can easily be determined when a woman is fertile and when she is not. Artificial means do not offer this.
One important advantage of Natural Family Planning is that it is all natural. A woman using NFP puts no artificial substances into her body, substances whose effects are either unknown or known but dangerous. Another advantage is knowing when a woman is pregnant. A condom, or other form of barrier protection, might have a high reliability percent, and may not necessarily have any harmful side effects (although latex allergies can be a problem), but a condom can fail. Whereas NFP, when properly used, is nearly one hundred percent effective. Natural Family Planning works.
There have been many attempts to show, however, that NFP does not work. For instance, "the FDA Consumer for May, 1985 ran an article that listed "Natural Family Planning or Rhythm" as having an estimated effectiveness of very variable, perhaps 53-86%. Correspondence with the editors and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services medical advisors to the FDA Consumer revealed that the basis for that very low figure were two Latin American studies," specifically, Columbia (effect3.html). In fact, the figures cited by the FDA were misleading, because for the "Pill" they reported a 99% effectiveness rating, when in Columbia the Pill actually showed an 89.5% effectiveness they "reported only a 99% figure, supposedly from other sources" (effect3.html) In Columbia, failures of NFP are associated with failure of the users to properly follow it; nevertheless, "it is well known among birth control professionals that if you want to quote very low effectiveness rates for any form of NFP, you go to Colombia" (effect3.html). But is it right to use Colombian figures to explain NFP in North America, where the higher end of the Colombian effectiveness percentage, 86%, is actually the lower effectiveness rating in the U.S? In these ways, supporters of artificial means of birth control attack the validity of NFP. However, the facts clearly show that NFP is the better choice for birth control, for many reasons.
What is the Church's stance on the issue? Simply, the Church's position is that all artificial means of birth control are immoral, and that the only moral means is the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning. Why is this the case? Is it merely because the church is behind the times? Is it because the Church does not know about life in the "real world"? The answer is no. The explanation for the Church's stance is really quite simple. Sexual intercourse is a means of procreation. Anytime intercourse is had, it must remain open to this possibility, that pregnancy might occur. Natural Family Planning does remain open to this possibility. The artificial means of barrier birth control do not, as they attempt to block the possibility of pregnancy. And other means of birth control, are no better. Some work to alter a woman's fertility, and the worst kind are the abortive types, which cause an intentional miscarriage, an abortion. Natural Family Planning does none of these. Although it is almost perfectly effective, there is still the possibility for pregnancy, a possibility not blocked and not aborted. Natural Family Planning is just that: natural.
What reasons are there to adopt Natural Family Planning? One, it can be an effective population control when taught properly. This can be of infinite importance in 3rd world countries. First world nations can help these less fortunates by teaching them NFP, so that they can control population growth and in time become more independent and able to survive, both at the family and national level. This is much more cost effective than constant shipments of artificial means of birth control. Here in the U.S., NFP should be adopted too. It is cost effective on all levels, from the government to married couples and families. Rather than spending money on artificial means of birth control, a couple can put out a sum of money to be taught NFP (if, in fact, it costs them anything at all) and then for the rest of their lives, they will have the most effective birth control means available. In fact, not only do couples have the ability to prevent pregnancies, but couples with difficulties conceiving can often bear children by becoming aware of the woman's cycle through NFP. In addition, NFP should be taught because it is right, it is moral. There is nothing mystical about it, it is not a tool of the Church to control the masses, it is the only effective and natural means of controlling pregnancy.
Natural Family Planning is the only moral form of birth control there is, and the only form which should be used in Christian marriages. All artificial means of birth control are immoral, and should be avoided. Natural Family Planning allows for the possibility of pregnancy while offering an effective rating of nearly 100 percent. NFP offers a long lasting, cost effective population control on the national and family levels. According to Christian values and Catholic teachings, Natural Family Planning should be adopted as the standard means of birth control.
The Ethics of FDA and ACOG Regarding NFP. Internet document. http://www.missionnet.com/~mission/cathlc/ccl/effect3.html, size 12K - 5 Dec 95.