5 NFP Myths Debunked
If you’ve spent more than 10 minutes on social media, Reddit, Youtube or Google, you’ve probably gotten the sense that everyone’s an expert on everything, but no one seems to actually know what they’re talking about. As the Information Age makes myths easier to spread, it’s all the more important that we take the time to dig until we find the facts.
We at CCL work to help others learn about and become educated about NFP. We know it well, and we have the evidence to back up our claims. Here are five of the biggest natural fertility myths debunked with research, experience and facts.
Myth #1: NFP doesn’t work if you want to postpone or achieve pregnancy. It’s risky.
Truth: Major fertility awareness methods are based on scientific evidence and have research that proves natural fertility is as effective or even MORE effective than most forms of contraception.
For couples trying to postpone a pregnancy, it really does work. For couples trying to get pregnant, charting regularly is very helpful in understanding what is happening in your body and can sometimes help identify underlying issues with your fertility cycle.
Every major method of NFP has comparable correct-use effectiveness — and often even better typical-use effectiveness — than most forms of contraception. Contrary to some widely-spread but flawed statistics, most NFP methods really do rank with contraceptives in terms of effectiveness, both for correct (perfect) and typical (human) use. In other words, NFP is as good as or better than any other pregnancy-avoiding method out there. [1] The only forms of contraception with failure ratings superior to NFP are irreversible surgical procedures and implants — both of which can create severe side effects. NFP is non-surgical, non-hormonal, non-foreign, and still does everything (and more!) those other methods do.
Myth #2: NFP means big families.
Truth: NFP means an attitude of generosity towards responsible parenthood.
The only correct family size is the one God wills for your family. Families with no children can be valid families. Families with four children can be valid families. (After all, it is possible that some people actually like children.) For some parents, responsible parenthood means more children; for others, it means less.
The NFP mentality — when lived out properly — means that family sizes vary based on a balance of circumstance and sacrifice. (For Christians, this balance is called the will of God. We look at our circumstances and God’s call for us to discern his will.) Every NFP family is different; some have no children, only one or two children or many children. Often, most if not all pregnancies are planned. But even when children aren’t planned, the NFP mentality can allow spouses to adopt a healthier and more accepting outlook on surprises.
Myth #3: NFP is hard to learn and takes too much time to practice.
Truth: Anything worthwhile in life can be challenging to learn, but you don’t have to be a doctor or a scientist to practice NFP.
These methods are all about learning what your body is already doing naturally. While natural fertility tracking has been around for years, now, there are modern tools and apps to help make practicing natural fertility even easier… like the PeakDay app. Naturally fertility tracking is based on observing your biomarkers like temperature and mucus. It takes less than 2 minutes a day to figure out and record those fertility signs on the PeakDay app or even on a paper chart. And with devices like OuraRing, Apple Watch or Fitbit, taking your temperature can be even easier and is synched right to the app.
NFP is not always easy for every couple. But that doesn’t mean we should shy away from the challenge. It should be noted that everyone has a different experience with NFP. The struggles of some don’t take away from the truth that other couples find it easy and wonderfully joyful. By the same token, easy experiences don’t discredit difficult ones, either. Really, the ability of NFP to improve a marriage depends on the commitment of each spouse.
Myth#4: NFP doesn’t work with irregular cycles.
Truth: NFP works with all cycles.
There is an enormous difference between modern NFP and the infamous Rhythm Method from the 1930s. We only endorse modern NFP. The rhythm method has several major drawbacks, not the least of which is that it’s not actually monitoring anyone’s cycles. It’s simply a method of counting days on a calendar, following the phases of a 28-day model cycle that was formerly assumed to be the “average” cycle of a woman. Turns out it’s not so average. In fact, only about 12 percent of women’s cycles are 28 days long.[2] So for the other 78 percent of women, the rhythm method doesn’t accurately reflect fertile phases and therefore isn’t reliable.
Modern NFP, on the other hand, actively tracks and assesses each cycle independently in real time. NFP monitors hormonal changes by tracking the observable symptoms they create. These hormones are directly responsible for ovulation, so NFP can determine a woman’s fertility with scientific certainty, day by day, no matter how irregular her cycle may be.
Myth#5: Natural fertility tracking means I am on my own with family planning because my doctor doesn’t really know much about it. That is a scary thought!
Truth: NFP has a wide reaching community of teachers, instructors, coaches and medical professionals to support you.
Most NFP methods are taught by a coach or instructor who will be there for you on your journey. When you take a CCL class, you are connected to a teaching couple. In the PeakDay app, you can connect directly to a fertility coach if you have questions. You can share your chart and set up personal appointments. There are also resources online like the Fertility Science Institute Directory. It has listings of over 500 medical professionals and fertility educators to help you on your journey of fertility awareness.
Many people don’t realize is that NFP is about the couple working together and sharing that knowledge to make decisions in life together. The CCL STM class is taught by couples to couples so both man and woman are involved. The PeakDay app allows couples to link an account to access the app on their own phones to track cycles and fertile times. It’s a shared responsibility.
So don’t get duped by the myths of NFP. Give it a try and see for yourself how it can be a life changing experience.