FAQs

The rhythm method uses a woman's longest and shortest menstrual cycle lengths over 6 months to conclude when her cycle will come and determine her possible ovulation date. Due to the fact that several factors can affect the length of your cycle this method works but allows several opportunities for potential miscalculations. 

Most fertility awareness based methods incorporate charting the length of your cycle but incorporate other variables like body temperature, vaginal mucus, saliva content or hormones found in your urine to determine fertile periods and pinpoint day of ovulation. 

Most people are aware that the Catholic church is against contraception. Natural family planning or NFP is a great way for married couples to work together to understand a woman's cycle and learn about her fertile and infertile periods. Choosing to understand your cycle naturally through an app, device or by being trained in one of the methods is a great choice for your health, marriage, and overall happiness. The church teachings state that marriage is benefited greatly through having children and that although every couple has the individual right to determine for themselves whether to postpone pregnancy it should only be done for unselfish reasons.

If you are charting, having an irregular cycle is going to make understanding your fertile and non fertile periods harder. Thankfully you are not alone. Recent studies show that charting is actually the best way to better understand your irregular cycle. The Billings Method of Natural Family planning works for both regular and irregular cycles and states that every 2 out of 3 women trying to conceive, conceive. kegg, an FDA registered medical device claims to work well especially for women with irregular cycles. Ultimately you may need to seek help from a professional NaPro Doctor who specializes in fertility awareness. Keep in mind that the NaPro Doctor would like about 3 months of charting before your first appointment.

Understanding your body and knowing your fertility is empowering. Going natural will help you know your cycle, which is an intrinsic part of who we are as women and gives us incredible insight into our physical and mental health.  With all of the modern methods available to you it’s easy now to make a healthier choice. 

To find an NFP class located in your area you should contact the method based organization you are planning to learn.  If you live in California you can visit the California Association of Natural Family Planning (CANFP) and look at their Professional Directory. This is very helpful to see what methods are being taught near you which might be the deciding factor in what method you choose.  Fortunately, due to COVID-19, many of these organizations have created online classes as well, allowing for remote learning.

By charting your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) first thing in the morning you can tell if you have ovulated.  On the day after you ovulate your BBT will have risen slightly, maybe even less than a degree, and will stay high until your period begins.  Many women will also notice a slight ovulation pain similar to a menstrual cramp which will also tell you that you have ovulated.

There are several reasons why you may seek professional help from a NaPro Doctor. These include irregular periods, PCOS symptoms, fertility issues, ovarian cysts, and/or have suffered from repeated miscarriages. NaPro doctors can help you understand your cycle and by looking at your fertility charts can see underlying problems that may be contributing to your issues.