Natural Family Planning

The term ’natural family planning‘ is the umbrella term for several methods, all of which have one thing in common: by observing body symptoms or certain statistical cycle patterns, fertility is inferred – because women are only fertile during certain phases of the cycle, namely around ovulation.

Both the pure observation of cervical mucus (‚Billings Method‘) and the calculation of fertile days based on the calendar (‚Knaus-Ogino‘) as well as the measurement of temperature (‚Temperature Method‘) fall under ‚Natural Family Planning.‘ The most well-researched and safest method is the symptothermal method, which involves observing multiple parameters and evaluating them according to specific rules.

Conceiving Naturally

Natural family planning helps you fulfill your desire to conceive – because sometimes, simply stopping contraception isn’t enough. It’s important for you to know your ovulation cycle to try to conceive at the best time.

Your body sends you various signals indicating that you are currently in your fertile days. Increased core body temperature, changes in cervical mucus, or even changes in the opening of your cervix – all indicate that there is a chance of becoming pregnant.

So, natural family planning not only helps you determine your fertile window, but it also significantly increases the likelihood of getting pregnant within 6 months, even by up to 21%.

Naturally safe contraception

„Not all methods falling under the umbrella term of ‚Natural Family Planning‘ are suitable for safe, hormone-free contraception. We at trackle advise against all methods that either observe only one body symptom (such as the Billings method or the temperature method) or rely solely on statistical analysis (like the calendar method).

For contraception, it is essential to measure core body temperature, compare it with (at least) one other body symptom, and calculate it according to defined, scientifically proven rules.

This means that the individual cycle pattern must be assessed anew every day based on the current status. This is exactly what the symptothermal method and trackle do. Then safe contraception is guaranteed.

Sources

Frank-Herrmann, P. et al.: Natürliche Familienplanung heute. Modernes Zykluswissen für Beratung und Anwendung, 6. Auflage. Heidelberg, 2020
Gnoth, C. et al.: Time to pregnancy: results of the German prospective study and impact on the management of infertility. Human Reproduction, Volume 18, Issue 9, 1 September, pages 1959–1966. 2003.

Last updated: 08.02.2023