| a) Women in different stages of
their reproductive lives can use NFP. However, certain NFP methods are inappropriate
during long periods of anovulation, amenorrhea, or irregular cycles, e.g., the calendar
method. |
a) Most women who are regularly
cycling can use NFP. Women who are post-menarche, postpartum, breastfeeding, postabortion,
or peri-menopause can also use NFP. However, since the hormonal patterns are altered in
these situations, a woman may find it more difficult to interpret her fertility signs and
must follow special rules to track her fertility. The specific rules used will depend upon
the circumstances and the NFP method chosen. Calendar-based methods are not
recommended for women in the situations mentioned above because many of these cycles are
not ovulatory and are often very irregular, requiring prolonged required abstinence
intervals, which may be difficult for many couples.
- World Health Organization and BLAT
Centre for Health and Medical Education. Family fertility education: a resource
package for teachers of Natural Family Planning Methods. Geneva: WHO, 1982.
|
| b) Because of the large range of
failure rates of NFP methods, women with conditions that may be seriously affected by
pregnancy must be counseled on the degree of risk of an unintended pregnancy. |
b) The higher range of failure
rates of these methods may expose the user to an unacceptable risk of unintended
pregnancy. (See Question 1)
- World Health Organization. Improving
access to quality care in family planning: medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive
use. Geneva: WHO, 1996.
|
