During our time running our parish marriage prep ministry we’ve met many dutiful and faithful Catholics approaching the Sacrament of holy matrimony. However, the majority of them are somewhat uninformed and unpracticed when it comes to Natural Family Planning (NFP). As Catholics we must always be open to life which means we avoid the use of birth control and contraceptives which deprive us of God’s gifts and blessings. This does not mean we are prohibited from making informed decisions about when to grow our families. This is where NFP comes in. There are a number of methods for tracking a woman’s natural menstrual cycle in order to determine times of high and low fertility. Equipped with this knowledge it is possible to choose when to invite new little ones into the world. While this can be a highly effective means of family planning it is not without its difficulties and so today I want to share some of the pros and cons of using NFP.

Pros

• During those times when you are not actively looking to grow your family, NFP is as effective as any birth control at preventing unplanned pregnancies. One common misconception about NFP is that it is unscientific and imprecise. However, when properly adhered to, it’s an incredibly reliable means of planning and spacing pregnancies.
• NFP is completely natural and free of the hormones and chemicals present in birth control used to artificially regulate a woman’s cycle and which can be harmful to her. Birth control can and often does come with a number of side effects including headaches, mood swings, decreased libido and even weight gain. It can also correlate with rare but more serious risks like blood clots, cancer and ectopic pregnancies. 
• Practicing NFP can help to grow the trust and affection between you and your spouse. Whether you are trying to become pregnant or not, using NFP is a team effort. You and your spouse will be called to periods of abstinence during which you will have to find other ways of expressing your affection for one another beyond sexual intimacy. This might look like you both picking up extra little chores around the house or treating yourselves to a night out. 

Cons

• Because NFP relies entirely on a woman’s menstrual cycle, it is most effective and easiest to practice when her cycle is regular. Through adherence to healthy diet, sleep and exercise a lady can naturally regulate her menstrual periods. However, for some women, this is simply not possible, whether due to demanding work schedules or the presence of small children in the home. Even something as mundane as a common cold can be enough to throw off her calendar. Long stretches of abstinence can put strain on your marriage. We Catholics believe that the sexual embrace is a renewing of a couple’s marital vows and a necessary part of holy matrimony, not just for the purpose of conceiving children. However, for those women who struggle with a regular cycle, there may be weeks or even months of abstinence when it will be necessary to find other ways to come together in your marriage. NFP often calls for heightened self discipline and support from your spouse. 

These are certainly not the only considerations when using NFP. Many people are unaware of the abortive aspect of hormonal birth control. Likewise, women often find they are much more confident in their knowledge of their own bodies when they start using NFP. Unfortunately, it is also true that using NFP requires constant commitment and sacrifice but on the whole, and from a Catholic perspective, the pros far outweigh the cons.