Efficacy: Using NFP to Avoid Pregnancy
Summary:
The three modern NFP methods Billings, Creighton and Sympto-Thermal are efficacious options for avoiding pregnancies based on several published scientific articles. Overall the perfect use method failure rate (combined three methods) of having a pregnancy occur which was not planned ranges from 0-2.2% and a combined failure rate + incorrect use of 0.5-6.5%. When people learn these methods through an accredited teaching program and follow the method design closely, the change of pregnancy is very low. As health care professionals, we should provide people with evidence-based information which accurately demonstrates that NFP is highly efficacious for avoiding pregnancy. Keep in mind that not all NFP methods are alike and it is important to always ask what methods a couple has learned in the past or is currently using. Other historical methods based on rhythm or calendar models, basal body temperature, two days, or standard days should be discouraged due to lower efficacy.
The three modern NFP methods Billings, Creighton and Sympto-Thermal are efficacious options for avoiding pregnancies based on several published scientific articles. Overall the perfect use method failure rate (combined three methods) of having a pregnancy occur which was not planned ranges from 0-2.2% and a combined failure rate + incorrect use of 0.5-6.5%. When people learn these methods through an accredited teaching program and follow the method design closely, the change of pregnancy is very low. As health care professionals, we should provide people with evidence-based information which accurately demonstrates that NFP is highly efficacious for avoiding pregnancy. Keep in mind that not all NFP methods are alike and it is important to always ask what methods a couple has learned in the past or is currently using. Other historical methods based on rhythm or calendar models, basal body temperature, two days, or standard days should be discouraged due to lower efficacy.
Summary:
In addition to avoiding pregnancies, NFP is also a powerful tool for helping infertile couples achieve pregnancy. A recent, high-quality Canadian study demonstrates the ability of Creighton/NaPro Tech to help infertile couples achieve pregnancy. Notice how Creighton/NaPro significantly reduced unexplained fertility and miscarriages from 30-40% to 1-2%. Many reasons for infertility are hormonal deficiencies at specific points in the menstrual cycle – this can be identified with NFP charting, warrant additional testing, and provide a supplement to restore fertility. NFP helped promote 41 new live birth pregnancies in 108 couples (38% success rate).
References:
1) Qian S.Z, Zhang D.W, Zuo H.Z, Lu R.K. Peng L, He C.H. `Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Natural Fertility Regulation Programme in China`, Reprinted from Bulletin of the Ovulation Method Research and Reference Centre of Australia, 2000, 27(4), 17-22.
2) Weissmann MC, Foliaki L, Billings EL, Billings JJ. A Trial of the Ovulation Method of Family Planning in Tonga. Lancet. 1972;2(7781):813-6.
3) Thapa S, Wonga MV, Lampe PG, Pietojo H, Soejoenoes A. Efficacy of Three Variations of Periodic Abstinence for Family Planning in Indonesia. Stud Fam Plann. 1990;21(6):327-34.
4) WHO. [No Authors Listed] A Prospective Multicentre Trial of the Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning. II. The Effectiveness Phase. Fertil Steril. 1981;36(5):591-8.
5) Fehring RJ, Lawrence D, Philpot C. Use Effectiveness of the Creighton Model Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1994;23(4):303-9.
6) Hilgers TW, Stanford JB. Creighton Model NaPro Education Technology for Avoiding Pregnancy. Use Effectiveness. J Reprod Med. 1998;43(6):495-502.
7) Rice FJ, Lanctôt CA, Garcia-Devesa C. Effectiveness of the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning: An International Study. Int J Fertil. 1981;26(3):222-30.
8) Frank-Herrmann P, Freundl G, Baur S, Bremme M, Döring GK, Godehardt EA, Sottong U. Effectiveness and Acceptibility of the Symptothermal Method of Natural Family Planning in Germany. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1991;165(6 Pt 2):2052-4.
9) De Leizaola MA. [The 1st Phase of a Prospective Study of the Effectiveness of Natural Family Planning Conducted in French-Speaking Belgium]. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 1994;23(4):359-64.
10) Ecochard R, Pinguet F, Ecochard I, De Gouvello R, Guy M, Huy F. [Analysis of Natural Family Planning Failures. In 7007 Cycles of Use]. Contracept Fertil Sex. 1998;26(4):291-6.
11) Tham E, Schliep K, Stanford J. Natural Procreative Technology for Infertility and Recurrent Miscarriage: Outcomes in a Canadian Family Practice. Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(5):267-74.
In addition to avoiding pregnancies, NFP is also a powerful tool for helping infertile couples achieve pregnancy. A recent, high-quality Canadian study demonstrates the ability of Creighton/NaPro Tech to help infertile couples achieve pregnancy. Notice how Creighton/NaPro significantly reduced unexplained fertility and miscarriages from 30-40% to 1-2%. Many reasons for infertility are hormonal deficiencies at specific points in the menstrual cycle – this can be identified with NFP charting, warrant additional testing, and provide a supplement to restore fertility. NFP helped promote 41 new live birth pregnancies in 108 couples (38% success rate).
References:
1) Qian S.Z, Zhang D.W, Zuo H.Z, Lu R.K. Peng L, He C.H. `Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Natural Fertility Regulation Programme in China`, Reprinted from Bulletin of the Ovulation Method Research and Reference Centre of Australia, 2000, 27(4), 17-22.
2) Weissmann MC, Foliaki L, Billings EL, Billings JJ. A Trial of the Ovulation Method of Family Planning in Tonga. Lancet. 1972;2(7781):813-6.
3) Thapa S, Wonga MV, Lampe PG, Pietojo H, Soejoenoes A. Efficacy of Three Variations of Periodic Abstinence for Family Planning in Indonesia. Stud Fam Plann. 1990;21(6):327-34.
4) WHO. [No Authors Listed] A Prospective Multicentre Trial of the Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning. II. The Effectiveness Phase. Fertil Steril. 1981;36(5):591-8.
5) Fehring RJ, Lawrence D, Philpot C. Use Effectiveness of the Creighton Model Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1994;23(4):303-9.
6) Hilgers TW, Stanford JB. Creighton Model NaPro Education Technology for Avoiding Pregnancy. Use Effectiveness. J Reprod Med. 1998;43(6):495-502.
7) Rice FJ, Lanctôt CA, Garcia-Devesa C. Effectiveness of the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning: An International Study. Int J Fertil. 1981;26(3):222-30.
8) Frank-Herrmann P, Freundl G, Baur S, Bremme M, Döring GK, Godehardt EA, Sottong U. Effectiveness and Acceptibility of the Symptothermal Method of Natural Family Planning in Germany. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1991;165(6 Pt 2):2052-4.
9) De Leizaola MA. [The 1st Phase of a Prospective Study of the Effectiveness of Natural Family Planning Conducted in French-Speaking Belgium]. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 1994;23(4):359-64.
10) Ecochard R, Pinguet F, Ecochard I, De Gouvello R, Guy M, Huy F. [Analysis of Natural Family Planning Failures. In 7007 Cycles of Use]. Contracept Fertil Sex. 1998;26(4):291-6.
11) Tham E, Schliep K, Stanford J. Natural Procreative Technology for Infertility and Recurrent Miscarriage: Outcomes in a Canadian Family Practice. Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(5):267-74.