Birth Control Options for Women - Natural Family Planning Methods

Home Monitoring System. A number of home test kits may help couples determine times of fertility. Not all are available in the US.

Some test kits monitor reproductive hormone levels in the urine (e.g., Persona, Clear Plan).
Other devices (e.g., Lady Comp, Bioself) measure basal body temperature.
Yet another approach (PFT 1-2-3 Kit, Maybe Baby, Fertility Tracker, and Ovu-Tech) employs a pocket microscope to examine crystals of dried saliva, which would indicate the presence of hormones associated with fertile days.

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No comparative studies are available on these tests and there is little evidence to determine their reliability. None are reliable enough to be used for complete contraception. Manufacturers of Persona, for example, claim failure rates of 6%.

Cervical Mucus Method. A much more reliable method (also called the ovulation method) requires a woman to take a sample (by hand) of her cervical mucus every day for a least a month and to record its quantity, appearance, feel, and to note other physical signs connected with the reproductive system. Cervical mucus changes in predictable ways over the course of each menstrual cycle:

Six days before ovulation, mucus is affected by estrogen and becomes clear and elastic. Ovulation is likely to occur the last day that mucus has these properties.
Right after ovulation, mucus is affected by progesterone and is thick, sticky, and opaque.

Once a woman's individual pattern is understood, analyzing cervical mucus can provide a highly accurate guide to fertility.

Creighton Model. The Creighton Model is a variation of the cervical mucus method. When used precisely, pregnancy rates have been reported to be less than 1%, although given the likelihood of errors, the annual failure rate is about 3% to 4%. It is an intensive program involving both the couple and a trainer. Having a regular cycle is not necessary for success. The woman learns when she is most likely to be ovulating, when she is likely to conceive, and to determine if her reproductive system is functioning normally or abnormally. It requires a trained instructor, however, and the program is not yet available everywhere.

Prolonged Breastfeeding (The Lactational Amenorrhea Method). Breastfeeding often delays the onset of ovulation and menstruation for about six months. A technique called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) has been devised to allow women to rely on breastfeeding for natural family planning. New mothers are candidates for LAM if their periods have not returned after delivery. They must be breastfeeding the baby on demand, day and night, without regularly substituting other liquids or foods in the baby's diet.