Natural family planning: Pros and cons
By Mayo Clinic staffNatural family planning helps you gain self-awareness and knowledge of your fertility. But it requires considerable diligence and training. To help you decide if it's right for you, keep the following points in mind:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It provides a "natural" method for couples who prefer not to use contraceptive devices. | It may inhibit sexual spontaneity and requires extensive periods of abstinence when used as the sole means of birth control. |
| There are no medical side effects. | It's less effective for women with irregular menstrual cycles. |
| It's immediately reversible. | It offers no protection against STDs, including HIV. |
| It's inexpensive and doesn't require a prescription or follow-up medical visits. |
