Natural family planning depends on methods that can determine when intercourse does not result in pregnancy. A woman can keep track of the changes that take place in her body during the menstrual cycle, and thus the couple can plan when to have or not have intercourse to avoid pregnancy. The same methods are used by families who are trying to conceive and need to identify the most fertile period. Natural family planning thus goes two ways.

The ovulation method

This type of natural family planning determines the fertile and infertile days by checking the cervical mucus. When the mucus is stretchy, slick and clear, chances are that the woman can get pregnant. The mucus looks like uncooked egg white during the fertile period.

The Symptothermal method

It involves taking the basal temperature every day. The temperature is written down in a chart. During ovulation, the woman's temperature will rise slightly with about 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The woman should also check the consistency of the cervical mucus. Other possible symptoms that accompany ovulation include breast tenderness, low backache, bloating and slight discomfort in the abdomen.

The period when you are most likely to get pregnant is right before and after the ovulation. This interval usually expands between the 9th and the 21st day of the menstrual cycle, for a woman with a 28-day period. Such information is relevant for natural family planning, yet it is not enough to make the above methods 100% reliable for the prevention of pregnancy.

There are natural family planning instructors who teach couples the most efficient ways to make the best out of the above methods. Talk to your family doctor to refer you to one such professional. However, in practice, this kind of birth control has proved less reliable than in theory. Most specialists recommend the use of a second means for birth control such as barrier methods. Condoms, for instance may successfully support natural family planning.

Keeping communication open with the life partner is of vital importance for the success of natural family planning. Unless your spouse is willing to cooperate and not have sex during the 12 days of the fertile period, you need to find other birth control means to prevent pregnancy. Natural family planning therefore requires mutual agreement and lots of support and understanding in the couple. It does not work for every family, because it cannot be considered a unilateral decision that only a member agrees to.

People now have access to many types of birth control. If for casual sex, lots of people use condoms only, and the morning-after pill, when necessary, stable couples often want to explore their options more carefully. It is when people get involved in serious relationships that they search for information and talk to family planning specialists to find reliable methods that reflect their sexual needs.

Hormonal birth control

Numerous types of birth control means use hormones to prevent pregnancy. Here we ought to mention the patch, the hormonal shot, the oral pill, the vaginal ring and a certain variety of intrauterine devices. Hormonal contraceptives have a high efficiency rate, yet they have a higher risk of side effects, and they cannot be used by just anybody. The woman should be in perfect health, and should consult a specialist to have a hormonal contraceptive prescribed.

ITU devices

The intrauterine device is inserted in the woman's uterus, making the uterine lining unsuitable for the implantation of a fertilized egg. It can only be inserted by a gynecologist. The doctor will explain to you how the device works and whether you have to pay attention to special issues while you have it on. Sometimes the ITU can cause abnormal bleeding or very abundant menstrual bleeds.

Barrier methods

These types of birth control include condoms, female diaphragm, cervical cap and sponges. Condoms are the only ones that protect against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy at the same time. However, they have to be used correctly and consistently to offer optimal protection. The cervical cap and the diaphragm need to be custom-made so that they fit the woman's individual specificity.

Natural birth control

Some people use natural contraceptive methods in parallel with other types of birth control. Here we should mention the calendar method, that calculates the fertile period based on the changes specific to the woman's menstrual cycle. The fertile period can be determined either by observing the consistency of the cervical mucus, or by taking and recording basal temperature daily.

Natural birth control is also possible through abstinence or through withdrawal. It is important to talk to a family planning expert to evaluate your options and know for sure which methods are more suitable for you. Sometimes a combination of various types of birth control should be used in order to achieve the right kind of protection against pregnancy and STDs. Moreover, an open attitude in the couple with mutual respect and support helps a lot.

For over ninety years, Planned Parenthood (PP) has supported specific healthcare and preventive care services for women. The organization offers reproductive healthcare information and healthcare services, information for young people, men and women worldwide as well as sex education. This system helps people make responsible decisions about health, family planning and sex.

There are currently 83 locally governed affiliates of Planned Parenthood across the United States, operating nearly 800 health centers targeting the various needs in the communities they serve. The focus falls mainly on preventive primary care that reduces the number of unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Testing, treatment, planning and screening for various types of cancer are also available.

This system is also powers the reproductive health and rights movement. They advocate for policies that allow Americans to get access to sexual healthcare and reliable information. There is current support for the introduction of free birth control in health insurance policies, according to the federal legislation act that will kick in from August 2012. Four million activists, donors and supporters nationwide get involved in PP campaigns to protect women's rights and health.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America also includes an Action Fund that engages in educational and electoral activity. As part of the Fund's activity we ought to mention legislative advocacy efforts as well as public education campaigns. The Planned Parenthood is an independent and not-for-profit organization even if it functions as a political branch for the Planned Parenthood Federation.

Planned Parenthood is affiliated with numerous women's groups and family planning institutions and independent providers in developing countries. Poverty, the absence of basic services, war and oppressive politics block individuals' access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare information. Planned Parenthood has solid collaborations with organizations in Asia, Latin America or Africa to support education and healthcare.

This kind of contribution indirectly generates improvement in local communities worldwide, both in terms of health and social education programs. Fighting for more rights and access to basic healthcare represents an important part of the activity that Planned Parenthood takes part to in less privileged parts of the world.

Hopefully, things will gradually improve worldwide, for women's health and sexual education. And the benefits deriving from such improvements touch on the well being of entire communities. Reliable reproductive information leads not only to a control of unwanted pregnancies and abortions, but it also to helps reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases that plague modern mankind.