In brief, modern Natural Family Planning (NFP) taught by the Couple to Couple League is
--the scientifically based Sympto-Thermal method (STM), which is effective for postponing or achieving pregnancy; this is NOT the calendar rhythm method;
--drug/appliance free;
--easy to learn and use;
--not burdensome for couples who wish to postpone pregnancy; typically, only one-to-two weeks of abstinence from marital relations per month are required to practice modern NFP at the 99% or greater effectiveness level;
--taught by certified, nonprofit volunteer teachers in the Decorah, Iowa, area (northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and west-central Wisconsin);
--inexpensive;
--safe & healthy with NO negative side effects;
--marriage building/strengthening (less than 5% divorce rate for NFP couples, compared to about a 40-50% divorce rate in the general population);
--not prescribed by many physicians because most medical doctors are not trained in modern NFP due to the influence of pharmaceutical companies on the medical school curricula (see "A DOCTOR REJECTS THE SEDUCTION OF CONTRACEPTION");
--morally acceptable for (1) married couples who have just and serious reasons for delaying the conception of a child and for (2) married couples who desire to conceive a child.
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about Natural Family Planning.
Website last updated winter 2008.