The Science Behind Natural Family Planning

Transcription

1 The Science Behind Natural Family Planning Presented by Scott & Laura Schulze Pro-Life Symposium & Technology Symposium Saturday, September 20, 2008 Dayton Engineers Club Dayton, OH

2 Definition of NFP Crash Course in Women s Reproductive Health History of NFP Typical charting Effectiveness Studies Unnatural Methods vs. NFP Advantages & Disadvantages Overview

3 What is Natural Family Planning? Methods for planning or preventing pregnancy by observation of the natural signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle Drugs, devices and surgical procedures are not used. When NFP is used to avoid conception, there is abstinence from sexual intercourse and all genital contact during the fertile phase. When NFP is used to achieve conception, sexual intercourse is targeted for the fertile phase.

4 Definition of NFP Overview Crash Course in Women s Reproductive Health History of NFP Typical charting Effectiveness Studies NFP vs. the Unnatural Methods Advantages & Disadvantages

5 Pituitary Gland Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Ovaries Estrogen Cervix Endometrium Pituitary Gland Luteininzing Hormone (LH) Ovulation Progesterone

6 Summary of Basic Facts Three things are necessary for conception to take place: 1) egg 2) sperm 3) cervical mucus Cervical mucus has three main functions: 1) Keep the sperm alive on average for 2 3 days 2) Nourishes the sperm 3) Filters out abnormal sperm The mucus sign is key to all modern methods of NFP

7 The Fertility Cycle Pre-ovulatory relatively Infertile phase Fertile Phase Post-ovulatory infertile phase PERIOD OVULATION

8 Signs of a Woman s Fertility 1) Cervical Mucus 2) Basal Body Temperature - Due to hormonal activity, a woman s resting temperature changes during the cycle. a) Lower temperatures indicate both the infertile time before ovulation and the fertile time of ovulation. b) Sustained higher temperatures indicate a rise in progesterone, which signals the end of the fertile time. 3) Changes of her cervix - Three physical changes occur in the cervix as ovulation approaches: a) The opening of the cervix opens slightly. b) The tip of the cervix becomes softer (softness is like facial lips). c) The cervix rises and is more difficult to reach.

9 Definition of NFP Crash Course in Women s Reproductive Health History of NFP Typical charting Effectiveness Studies Unnatural Methods vs. NFP Advantages & Disadvantages Overview

10 History of NFP 1827 Von Baer discovered the ovum 1838 Von Fricke studied the temperature in relationship to menstruation and pregnancy neither influenced temperature 1904 Van de Velde found fluctuations in basal body temp. and ovulation 1928 Van de Velde found highest level of temp in latter part of menstrual cycle was caused be secretion of progesterone by the corpus luteum

11 History continued 1932 Ogino and Knaus: ovulation occurs about two weeks prior to the next menstrual cycle. Developed forerunners to calendar rhythm methods 1935 Hellebrand formalized practical application of temperature measurement to family planning 1950s Billings began studying the significance of cervical mucus as a marker for ovulation 1960 s Vincent (France) & Doering (Germany) studied the application of a temperature based system and found 99% effectiveness.

12 History continued 1962 Brown and Berger began conducting research correlating women s observations of cervical mucus patterns with the ovarian hormonal patterns associated with ovulation

13 The science of cervical mucus - Dr. Odeblad There are different types of mucus: G, L, S which vary according to hormonal regulation -G mucus seals the cervical canal during the infertile days of the cycle, both before and after ovulation -L mucus supplants G mucus when estrogen begins to rise, and provides a matrix structure for the more sperm receptive mucus, S mucus

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15 S mucus is the lowest viscosity mucus, is present only at peak levels of estrogen, and disappears when progesterone begins to dominate the cycle. -a certain balance of L and S mucus is necessary for optimum fertility at the time of ovulation

16 Amount and Types of Cervical Mucus

17 After menstruation As fertile changes begin As fertility builds Approaching peak

18 At Peak One day Post-Peak Three days post-peak Four days post-peak

19 Definition of NFP Crash Course in Women s Reproductive Health History of NFP Typical charting Effectiveness Studies Unnatural Methods vs. NFP Advantages & Disadvantages Overview

20 Methods of Modern NFP Sympto-Thermal Method It uses all three fertility signs: mucus observation, basal body temperature, and cervical changes. Ovulation Method This method is based on mucus observation only. Creighton Method It is similar to the Ovulation Method but categorizes the mucus observations differently. It is the basis for a new women s health science, NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology).

21 The Sympto-Thermal Method Full thermal shift ; greater than.4 degrees rise above the baseline and a rise to over 98.0 degrees. Full thermal shift pattern useful and accurate in determining end of fertile phase

22 The Challenges with Temperatures Irregular temperatures Sleep problems, illness, medications, thermometer malfunction. Insufficient rise Slow rise Falling pattern (after a rise) Low baseline (possibly a sign of hypothyroidism) The broken or lost thermometer.

23 Ovulation Method

24 Ovulation Method

25 IRREGULARITY OF CYCLES DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE PRACTICE OF THE OVULATION METHOD

26 Creighton Method

27 Definition of NFP Crash Course in Women s Reproductive Health History of NFP Typical charting Effectiveness Studies Unnatural Methods vs. NFP Advantages & Disadvantages Overview

28 Studies on Method Effectiveness of the Symptomal Thermal Method Country Year Life Table Pearl Index Preg. rate Europe % U.K % Germany % Zambia % Liberia %

29 U.S. Studies on Method Effectiveness of the Ovulation Method Study Year Couples Cycles Preg. rate St. Cloud % Dolack % Klaus, H et al , % Klaus, H % Wilson, M (Guatemala) , %

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31 Conclusions on Effectiveness Effectiveness of NFP is backed up by many scientific studies Studies show that NFP is very effective in postponing pregnancy

32 Definition of NFP Overview Crash Course in Women s Reproductive Health History of NFP Typical charting Effectiveness Studies Unnatural Methods vs. NFP Advantages & Disadvantages

33 Unnatural Methods Why NOT to Use Them Hormonal Contraceptives: The Pill, The Shot, Lunelle, The Patch, Nuva Ring, Norplant, some IUDs Three ways of working: 1. Prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) 2. Causes the mucus in the cervix to change so that if sperm reach the cervix, it is more difficult for them to enter. 3. Changes the lining of the uterus so that if the first two actions fail, and the woman does become pregnant, the tiny baby boy or girl will die before he or she can actually attach to the lining of the uterus CHEMICAL ABORTION.

34 Unnatural Methods Why NOT to Use Them The Pill - The Pill used by over 10 million women in the US today and about 4 million are 25 or younger Ethical side effects: It is estimated that women experience at least one very early abortion for every year that they are on the Pill. Medical side effects: It increases the risk of breast cancer by over 40% if taken before a woman delivers her first baby. High blood pressure Blood clots Stroke Heart attack Depression Weight gain More susceptible to HIV b/c the pill weakens the immune system Slow return of fertility, six months or longer Rapid aging of the cervix Increase risk of cervical cancer.

35 Unnatural Methods Why NOT to Use Them The Shot (Depo) Women who take the shot for 2 years or more before the age of 25 have at least a 190% increased risk of developing breast cancer. Excessive and/or irregular bleeding Temporary or permanent sterility Severe mental depression Depletes calcium storage, placing women at risk for osteoporosis at a much younger age. Worsens a woman s cholesterol level

36 Safe - 100% natural - Has no health risks Why Use NFP? - Does not involve potentially harmful birth control drugs or devices Healthy - It teaches a woman to become aware of her normal fertility pattern. - Changes in a woman s fertility pattern can alert her to possible medical problems.

37 Why Use NFP? Effectiveness rate for avoiding pregnancy Contraceptives vs. NFP -Nothing 15% -Spermicide 74% -Withdrawal 81% -Condom 84~85% -Oral Contraceptive (pill) 92~95% -IUD 98~99% -Sterilization 99+% -NFP 99+% -Abstaining 100%

38 Comparison of Artificial Methods of Birth Control and The Ovulation Method U.S. Statistics % 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% OM Pill IUD Spermi Cond Diaph Method effectiveness User effectiveness Continuation rate

39 Definition of NFP Crash Course in Women s Reproductive Health History of NFP Typical charting Effectiveness Studies Unnatural Methods vs. NFP Advantages & Disadvantages Overview

40 Disadvantages of Using NFP Requires initial teaching from an experienced NFP teacher Takes time to learn to recognize and chart fertility symptoms, typically 1-3 cycles Some may find charting difficult. Requires diligence in charting Both partners require motivation and self discipline to abstain during the fertile time.

41 Advantages of Using NFP Can be used to achieve or avoid pregnancy Effective in all reproductive circumstances: Regular or irregular cycles Breast feeding Pre-menopause Etc... Early detection and diagnosis of fertility disorders Immediately reversible No alteration of physiology No side effects Not technology dependant, no harmful devices

42 Advantages of Using NFP Easy to Learn Easy to Use Minimal Cost Involves the Couple Morally Acceptable More satisfying marriages Divorce rates: 50% vs. 2%

43 Why Use NFP? SAFE HEALTHY EFFECTIVE

44 Conclusions Modern NFP is based on a modern scientific understanding of the reproductive physiology of women. Modern NFP is teachable, learnable, and extremely effective in motivated, trained couples.

45 Natural Family Planning Encourages shared responsibility. Enables a couple to be independent and in control of their fertility. Is over 98% effective in avoiding pregnancy, when used by motivated couples, taught by experienced teachers. (FPA 1995)

46 Website Referral Billings Ovulation Method Assn Couple to Couple League Creighton Model Fertility Care System Family of the Americas Foundation Fertility Care Centers of America NaProTECHNOLOGY Northwest Family Services One More Soul NFP Center Pope Paul VI Institute

47 If you are interested in learning the Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning, please contact Scott & Laura Schulze - slschulze@verizon.net.