OP: Natural Family Planning aka symptho-thermal method?

I do hope that you get a good discussion going on this topic, Roses. There are many articles in most languages that are available so non-German speakers are not left out. In fact, "sympto thermic" as a search term will score in most European languages. I have never practiced this approach myself but would like to clarify for those who lack your experience.

There roughly three approaches to "natural" contraception. The first is simply watching the calendar and avoiding several days around ovulation time - "normally" the fifteenth day of the menstrual cycle, counting the first day of the period as Day 1. This approach leads to many pregnancies. Few women, and fewer younger women, are so regular in either their periods or ovulation. Further, allowing for sperm living within our reproductive tract for several days, this can block out nearly half the month. Those dating, rather than living together, could find the extensive "blackout dates" difficult.

A slightly better techniques is the basal temperature method. First thing each morning, the woman takes her temperature - before getting out of bed - and keeps track. Our temperatures rise half a degree or so at ovulation. The records are important to identify when to anticipate ovulation because sex the night before can result in pregnancy. Or, resuming sex after the temperature rise runs the risk of the egg lingering in a fallopian tube and becoming fertilized even after the temperature rise. Again, we are dealing with blackout dates that can be quite lengthy. Vaginal intercourse is limited to just after the period for several days and the days after the temperature rise.

The best natural approach is what you are advocating. It requires the basal temperature each morning and uses other indicators. The other indicators must be determined by the individual woman (except for one). Some women experience breast tenderness at ovulation; some have a sharp pain (mittelschmerz) from the ovary releasing the egg; some, increased sexual desire and either spotting or leaking excess vaginal juices. The one that we all have is a change in the mucosa of the cervical os. This requires training, both for us and for our partners, who are better able to make the observation. The cervix is blocked by a mucuous plug except during our periods (so we can drain) and right after ovulation (to allow sperm entry).

I have read the studies on the effectiveness of this technique and they have the same reminders and control of subject behaviour that all the tests of contraception use. Usually those women who report some laxness in their discipline with whatever system or technique are not included in the final count of pregnancies. For those not familiar with the Pearl Index, it divides the number of pregnancies in a study by the number of menstrual cycles the women report and this is then standardized to pregnancies per 100 women per year. There is also an issue in the length of the study conducted changes the denominator, but that is splitting hairs (no pun intended). The "studies" I have seen reporting a Pearl number of 2 are from non-medical, non-scientific studies. Those few scientific studies including real life experience fall far short of this number.

This approach is fine for a stable relationship in which alternative ways to gain satisfaction are used. It is not an acceptable technique for younger women who have sex on weekends, or some such, and who lack the discipline to rigourously follow the protocol. As evidence, see the number of posts here by women who "forget" to take a pill. If you cannot discipline yourself to take a pill, do not try rather sophisticated techniques of self-diagnosis to protect yourself.

Brandye

Posted: 30 Sep 02:51

Thank you for the added explanation, dear Brandye! :) And yes, I do hope will get a good discussion and dialogue :) As I'm very curious!

RedRoses

Posted: 30 Sep 02:51

So this isn't an either or method? Women can still use bpc while checking these signs?

big916

Posted: 30 Sep 02:52

Big: No, it isn't. When on birth control pills you technically don't have a cycle. There is a steady flow of hormones administered, which you interrupt to cause a bleed. There is no ovulation. The body is fooled to be pregnant. The NFP-method is about observing your natural cycle. That is your method of contraception.

The natural cycle
The average cycle is between 23-35 days. Many women experience a slight change in the number of days each cycle (for example: 24-26 days). The cycle is basically a game of estrogen en progesterone:

Before ovulation: A cycle starts every first day of a menstruation. At the first stage of the cycle the level of FSH rises. This means that the vesicles holding the eggcells in her ovaries are being stimulated to grow. The more they grow, the more the level of the hormone estrogen rises. This hormone is causing the lining of the womb to rebuild. Basically; the body is getting ready for ovulation. The more oestrogen, the more the cervical mucus increases in quantity. This mucus can be felt by women at the entrance of their vagina. As Brandye explained: the cervix is blocked by a mucuous plug except during our periods (so we can drain) and right after ovulation (to allow sperm entry).

Around ovulation: As the level of LH rises, this stimulates the growing vesicles that hold the eggcells to produce progesterone. The lining of the womb is getting ready for a fertilized egg to implant itself in. Eventually one eggcell lets go of the ovary and "jumps" into the oviduct. Which is known as: ovulation. In rare cases; there are two eggcells. As the estrogen levels are still fairly high and progesterone is building, the quality of the cervical mucus changes into very fluid. The body is making the cervix into a more happy place for sperm. And the bodytemperature rises a little.

After ovulation; the vesicle where the eggcell came from shrinks into a little yellow gland. It continues to produce progesterone. The levels peak. And the cervical mucus becomes more tough again. If not fertilized, the eggcell dies about 12-24 hours after ovulation. If the eggcell wasn't fertilized, the yellow gland disappears 14-16 days after ovulation. The drop of progesterone makes the lining of the womb more lose. Menstruation occurs, a new cycle has begun.

Using Natural Family Planning
As you can see, these hormones influence certain symptoms. What a woman observes in NFP, is basically:

1. basal temperature, each morning, before getting up, preferably at the same time, you note this directly.
Once the temperature is higher than the highest prior 6 measures within this cycle, this could be a sign ovulation is occuring. It needs to stay higher the second day. If the third day the measurement is a least 0.2 degrees Celsius higher than the highest of the prior 6, then this is the first indication ovulation has occurred.

2. the cervical mucus, each day you observe how the mucus feels and looks at each toilet visit and you remain conscious of what you experience during the day. You note the best quality at the end of the day.

The cervical mucus changes in quality and quantity. What the highest quality is, may differ each woman. But generally; it will be dry or a bit moist at the beginning of the cycle. Then mucus becomes visible. The mucus will increase in quantity, be a bit yellow/white colored and clotty. Closer to ovulation it feels very wet and looks watery and/or you can make long elastic-like thin threads out of it when you hold it between thumb and index fingers. Than it returns to a lesser quality.

Basically: when the highest quality is observed, you wait until a lesser quality occurs. When there is no higher quality during the next 3 days, then this is the second indication ovulation has occurred.

3. the positioning of the cervix each day at the same time you check to positioning and note how

The position of the cervix also changes during the cycle. It gets higher and you can feel how the cervix becomes soft and opens a little. Around ovulation it feels as soft as an earlobe, while before and after; more like the tip of your nose. When the cervix is closed again and doesn't change within 3 days, this is the third indication ovulation has occurred.

4. anything particular that can be associated with ovulation Note this if it occurs.
This differs each woman, could be: enhanced libido, a certain smell, tender breasts, ovulation pain (aka mittelschmertz)

5. anything that could have disturbed your findings. Note this if it occurs. This is highly important!
Alcohol, sleeping late, emotional outbursts, sports, measuring your temperature late, medication, illness, etc. Over time you know which ones influence your cycle most. If you see findings out of the ordinary, such as a sudden rise in temperature, and you know you had a fight the evening prior, the elevated temperature could be influenced by this. If you're not sure; best to skip a certain finding out of your calculation
Adding calculations together:
You skip the disturbed findings. You always use 2 indicators for ovulation: temperature+cervical mucus OR temperature+ cervix position. I personally use all 3, the cervical positioning as my back-up data.

And whatever comes last; determines whether ovulation has occurred. So if you haven't determined your elevated temperature, but have had 3 days after the highest mucus quality, you will wait till you can interpret the temperature. Or vice versa. You can then have unprotected sex till the first day of the next cycle. You'll have about 10-14 days on the average.

Some extend this period, until the first few days of the next cycle. This could be done, depending on how long the cycle is. A woman with an average 35 day cycle will generally be more "safe" to practice this, than a woman with an average 24 day cycle. A sperm cell will survive 3-4 days inside a woman, some even 7 days. So if ovulation occurs early, you could still become pregnant!

NFP & your (sex)life
Advantages of this method is that there are no side-effects. You don't use anything "foreign" in your body; you're allowed to respect it's natural state. Which can be very freeing to many women. You don't need any preparation for intercourse. It's cheap. It is highly reliable, when used in the correct way. Anyone wanting to learn should seek an NFP-counselor.

It encourages to respect your body and be conscious about your lifestyle. It is beneficial for your relationship. Women generally feel much respected by their men. It encourages a couple to talk about sex and pregnancy in a conscious way. And it encourages you to be creative with sex in the days penetrative sex is off the menu.

You'll have about 10-14 days at the second stage of each cycle to have unprotected penetrative sex. But; strictly NFP-users statistically have just as much sex as others do. They just have it at different times. To add extra time; you could use condoms in the more fertile periods. But mind you that a condom could fail! Other types of contraceptives are not possible to combine with NFP, as it influences your findings.

When you do decide it's time for children; couples using NFP become pregnant quicker than others. Because the method can be used for conceiving as well. Recent German research has found that couples who were trying to conceive between 1-3 years, half of them had become pregnant within 8 months using the method. There are couples that learn the method explicitly to conceive.

WARNING
I have explained some basics here. Mind you: the above is not a complete overview! And: it takes a woman about 3 cycles to get to know her own cycle and learn how to use it. It is strongly recommendable to ask for a NFP-counselor to guide you through this. Also: NFP does not protect you from HIV/STD's!

I am currently taking classes to become a NFP-counselor. And I've used the method myself for nearly 4 years now. I've made this summary based on Dutch and German information. If some words seem oddly translated, please ask. Or correct me if you think something is wrong. Esp Brandye, you're most welcome!

Any questions? I'd be happy to answer! :)

RedRoses

Posted: 30 Sep 02:53

After all the theory, on a little personal note:

To me using natural family planning has encouraged me to listen to my body and to get to know it. To establish a profound bond and connection with it. Your body is your temple. Your home that will cradle, support and protect you till the day you die. And yet; I didn't know it for so many years. In fact; I silenced and repressed it. NFP has greatly improved my understanding of my body and myself. It has learned me to trust, love and accept on levels that reach far beyond fertility.

This passion and fascination has stimulated me to pick up an education to help women discover the wonders of their bodies. If all goes well, in about a year I will have obtained all the certificates and be a female fertility-, pregnancy- and birth-counselor. I'm so much looking forward to this career change! :)

RedRoses

Posted: 30 Sep 02:53

oh ok i misread your question is your op that says "do you combine with other methods of contraception during your fertile periods or not?" sounds great for the right women who would be diligent on documenting these signs everyday. i'm curious though how a woman checks her cervix position when she can't see it since it is inside her?

big916

Posted: 30 Sep 02:54

Yes, I did ask that question. We have at times used condoms during the more fertile periods. And I have been looking into a cervical cap (as posted here: http://www.sexinfo101.com/node/1029545) I've checked my books and asked my counselor; my initial thought appears to be right. You can't combine NFP with a cervical cap and spermicides, cause it could disturb the cervical mucus and/or make it impossible to observe for at least a day or 2. This is not much preferable. What you could do; use the cervical cap during one cycle, get back to NFP on the next cycle, since the disturbance isn't long term. Or it could be proper to use a cap in cycles that you find it hard to determine ovulation (when you had a fever in the first stage prior to ovulation, it can become impossible to calculate).

i'm curious though how a woman checks her cervix position when she can't see it since it is inside her?
Checking your cervix is quite a discovery and adventure in itself! Or at least: to me it was :)
What you do (and I'm describing this from the woman's point of view) is:
Get on your knees or sit in a squat.
Insert your middle finger in your vagina (palm facing towards you, it will most likely push against your labia).
As you slowly insert upward, you point your finger slightly backwards (towards the rectum).
The tip of your finger remains pointed upward (since you don't want to scratch the cervix).
At a certain point you will either feel the kind of nosetip or earlobe. In the middle there is a little "dip", this can be slightly open or firmly closed.
Et voila; there is your cervix! :)
Gently feel the area by circling your finger across it. Don't poke or push it!

Discover which position feels best to you. When you start recording findings, always feel your cervix in the same position. If you're comfortable with it; you could also feel with two fingers by adding the index finger. Depending on how short your fingers are (like I have :)), you could use little tricks.
- If you bear down a little the cervix will come towards your finger.
- you could use the other hand to apply very light pressure on you lower abdomen.
- you could push with the other hand on the hand inserted, to get your finger a bit deeper.

My bf was much surprised when I told him about my victory of locating my cervix. And he was really thrilled the first time I allowed him to feel it. Though he has had many lovers before me, he never got to feel inside a woman so consciously. If she's willing to let you, the instructions are basically the same when feeling it inside her as a male. Be very gentle and go very slow! Few women actually have their partners feel it for them daily, because they find it hard to reach themselves. It contributes to the "together-feeling" of using this method.

sounds great for the right women who would be diligent on documenting these signs everyday
That's what it takes. I wouldn't recommend to switch to this method for those who, for example, tend to forget their BC-pills :p
When we chose this method together, it was on 1 condition; I would quit if I'd start to feel distant from my body, as if I'd be making myself into a science-project. That never happened. As described; I actually feel more in touch with my body than I ever did before.

RedRoses

Posted: 30 Sep 02:55

so what are you looking for when checking the cervix position? i remember brandye saying that the cervix goes down like a spoon after orgasm to collect sperm, when explaining theories of the female orgasm.

do couples in fertility counseling get this information most of the time? i had only heard of the menstruation calendar before you mentioned this.

big916

Posted: 30 Sep 02:56

> so what are you looking for when checking the cervix position? i remember brandye saying that the cervix goes down like a spoon after orgasm to collect sperm, when explaining theories of the female orgasm.
Big, as mentioned (but I can imagine this is a floodwave if information :)):

3. the positioning of the cervix; each day at the same time you check to positioning and note how

The position of the cervix also changes during the cycle. It gets higher and you can feel how the cervix becomes soft and opens a little. Around ovulation it feels as soft as an earlobe, while before and after; more like the tip of your nose. When the cervix is closed again and doesn't change within 3 days, this is the third indication ovulation has occurred.

So what you ask yourself is:
-How high is the cervix (how easy can you reach itl)?
-Is it soft (like an earlobe) or hard (like the tip of a nose) or somewhere in between?
-How open is it (the little dip in the middle is larger or smaller)?

Around ovulation it is high, soft and open. Before and after: low, hard and closed. There are moments it could feel like it's bulging down a bit: you can easily feel around it, as if you could catch it between your fingers (don't squeeze it!). This does not matter for the fertility calculations, but it is fun to notice. Every woman will experience it a bit differently. You need time to get to know it, before you can apply the method.

True; while having sex the vagina elongates and the cervix tilts a little. I don't recall the spoon-thing (Brandye?). I do remember that the cervix is seen to actually expel (menstrual) fluid upon orgasm. Anyways; during or after sex it's not the best time to check the cervix (at least not for your records :rolleyes:)

>do couples in fertility counseling get this information most of the time? i had only heard of the menstruation calendar before you mentioned this.
I'm sure I'll give it to them :) The sympto-thermal method -as in mucus and temp- is well known. In Holland when you step in at your local physician with troubles conceiving for a year, you will actually get a cycle-chart and are asked to fill it out for 3 months.

I'm not sure how common knowledge or used the position of the cervix is... I hope it is! NFP Nederland clearly states that it could replace observations of mucus. And I know, for example, when getting a PAP smear women are advised to plan the visit midcycle.

This is somewhat an off topic question. Right before my period or during, sex would hurt like he was hitting something, would that be my cervix? It doesn't happen now that I'm on bcp. If so wouldn't it make more sense to hurt when the cervix is closed?
By my experience; yes. The cervix closed is more easily "hit" and that could hurt. Despite the elongating of the vagina (as described above) the cervix remains closed and hard. And it could bulge down a bit more, making it easier to bump into.

My bf and I did some discovering and experimenting during sex as well. A fun thing is that we also found out that when I'm aroused, the cervix and surrounding area's are very stimulating to me. While making love in folded-deckchair-position, makes the perfect angle for him to gently rub the area with the head of his penis. It feels absolutely amazing! :D And though not as orgasmic as it is to me, it's stimulating for him as well.

I'm not sure what happens when on BCP. Since it mimics pregnancy, it would mean the cervix is hard and closed. I have heard of women experiencing the position to be less bulging down during the first term of pregnancy. So if the BCP would do that, it would explain why there's less bumping into it.

Perhaps Brandye could confirm/reject this?

Also I really enjoyed this post, I have learned a lot about myself I didn't know, somethings all women should know. I would love to try this method, as for now my life is constantly busy and changing, maybe sometime in the future, like when I start college.
Well, thank you, Epic! I would like to encourage every woman to make a journey of discovering her body. Whether you decide to use the method or not. Chose the moment you feel ready for it.

RedRoses

Posted: 30 Sep 02:57

Big,

A bit of clarification: During arousal, the vagina both elongates and balloons to accept a penis and the joys that go with that. This leaves the cervix above an indentation in the non-parous woman's vagina. At resolution as things go back to their usual positions, the cervix dips into this indentation, and likely pool of semen, more like a sipper than a spoon. That is why Masters & Johnson assumed some role for the female orgasm in assuring impregnation.

This assumes, unlikely, that the woman's orgasm would come after the man's but not by much. What is passed on to those trying to become pregnant is for the woman to continue lying on her back with knees raised for twenty minutes or so to get the cervical os immersed in fresh semen.

RedRoses comments, above, reflect medical thinking throughout the developed world.

Brandye

Posted: 30 Sep 02:57

Almost forgot :o

> I have read the studies on the effectiveness of this technique and they have the same reminders and control of subject behaviour that all the tests of contraception use. Usually those women who report some laxness in their discipline with whatever system or technique are not included in the final count of pregnancies. For those not familiar with the Pearl Index, it divides the number of pregnancies in a study by the number of menstrual cycles the women report and this is then standardized to pregnancies per 100 women per year. There is also an issue in the length of the study conducted changes the denominator, but that is splitting hairs (no pun intended). The "studies" I have seen reporting a Pearl number of 2 are from non-medical, non-scientific studies. Those few scientific studies including real life experience fall far short of this number. ~~ Brandye

Brandye, it's been a while since this quote, but does it refer to the Dusseldorf-university as mentioned in the post above? I'm trying to get my hands on what they're doing there. Sigh... studies were so much easier to access back in university :rolleyes:

RedRoses

Posted: 30 Sep 02:59

I have been on bcp's for a couple of months now and do notice that i don't have pain in certain sexual positions anymore like i used to.It mainly happens in positions of deep penetration and was rather painful to the extent that i couldn't tolerate my partner's thrusting without feeling discomfort.Now i find these positions much more stimulating rather than painful.I do believe that it has everything to do with the cervix being closed and less sucseptible to being bumped and knocked about during sexual intercourse.

Aphrodite_66

Posted: 30 Sep 03:01

Thanx for sharing Aprhodite!

And uhmm.... "Sorry" for what, EEK? :confused:

On reliability of NFP
I'm going to quote my studybook of NFP Nederland (last revised in 2005 and off course I'm translating it again :)):

Pearl Index of NFP for theoretical use is 0.5 and practical use: 2,1-2,3*
*this insignificant difference is due to NFP-users who used condoms during fertile periods

Since 1984 there is a program at the university of Dusseldorf that monitors effectiveness of NFP. Of 7169 cycles only 13 unwanted pregnancies occurred. 10 of those were due to having sex in the fertile period (incorrect use of the method). 3 pregnancies were the result of sex during the first few days of the next cycle.
As mentioned before; sex in the latter mentioned period is considered less safe, since you could get pregnant if ovulation occurs more early. If you become a strict NFP-user, you've got yourself a very reliable method! :)

Choosing contraceptive methods
Everyone should be aware no contraceptive is 100% safe. Every method has it's pro's and con's. For example: if you'd like to have the opportunity to have (penetrative) sex whenever you want, NFP is most probably not for you. Unless you combine it with condoms. But do note that condoms are less reliable than for example the BC-pill. And do keep in mind that intimacy is available 24/7/7 for NFP-users as well. You my have your own ethical, emotional or physical reasons why some types of birthcontrol do not suit you. Etc, etc, etc.

I'd advice every woman to make a conscious decision on what method fits her best (and if steady; as a couple). Given your lifestyle, personal characteristics, physiology, ethics, how easy you'd want to be able to change from contraceptive to getting pregnant, etc. Remember it's the characteristics of both the method and the user that should be matched to get the best result. Whatever method you use, be sure to use it properly. And whatever birth control you chose, make sure to evaluate with your primary physician, ob-gyn, fertility counselor or whoever is custom in your country. Set a date to evaluate, even when you feel fine. Especially young girls; when you're so young you're still learning "what's supposed to be" and simply assume the current situation to be so. You could be taking all kinds of side-effects for granted, which a physician would think is interesting. Moms and dads; perhaps keep a reminder on evaluation for your teens ;)

RedRoses

Posted: 30 Sep 03:02

My husband and I have used Natural Family Planning for 21 years . AKA--"The Sympto Thermal Method" . I do have this book also. I planned both my daughters using this method. (they are now 12 and 14) Now--I do realize that this method is NOT for everyone as it does require the woman to monitor her cycle. You learn to "know" what days you are fertile. You learn the feeling of your cervix (the softness/openess--versus harder and closed) Sperm can live up to five days in the woman's body. Typically the days where a woman is the most fertile are when the womans body produces that very wet "slippery like" discharge. It's very similiar to raw egg whites. This is what sperm love as it helps them to get up to the egg.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly when a woman is ovulating though. (so you do have to remember that sperm CAN live up to 5 days) The days where it might not be safe (for me) are the days towards the end of my period through the day after my temperature goes up . (that's longer than the five days you mentioned using a condom.) I probably overcompensate as it's about 10-12 days that we would use a condom. (so if you're only using a condom for 5 days you may get a surprise baby !! :) It's better to be safe than surprised ! )

I used to use an Ovulation thermometer. It would show me when I was done ovulating as the temperature goes up after ovulation. Then it's completely safe for sex (at least for me--through some of the days of my period) The temperature drops on the day a woman gets her period. However---After 21 years I dropped my glass thermometer and it broke leaking the mercury out !!! Unfortunately they do not make these thermometers any longer. I do have a digital one for ovulation. (it works NOTHING like my glass one though, so I can't rely on it )You cannot just rely on body temperature though. You have to track everything your body is doing. It does take a lot of work and as I mentioned- is not for everyone.

Speaking about the birth control pill-- There are a TON of side effects with it. I never wanted to alter the way my body works by going on it. I have to say--I work in a Cancer treatment center and it's mind blowing how many women (YOUNGER women) have breast cancer. The Medical Society can sugar coat being on the pill as having nothing to do with women getting breast cancer but I do think it has SOMETHING to do with it. (along with everything else we are exposed to in our environment now-)

Even if a woman does not want to use this method for birth control--it's good to know the way your body works. I have noticed since I've gotten older my body is changing and the days I'm fertile are much earlier in my cycle than they used to be. We have spoken about surgery--vasectomy--but I would worry about the side effects of that as well. (I work in a Cancer center and I see a lot that worries me. )

Biker Babe

Posted: 30 Sep 04:33

Good to meet a fellow NFP-user on this forum, BikerBabe :) I love using this method and will become an NFP-counselor. I, too, would like to share this and encourage women to learn about their body. If not as contraception, it learns you how to listen closely and feel in touch with your body.

Experiences differ. Some women hate being on BCP and experience a ton of side-effects physically, emotionally, sexually, etc. Some never felt better. Or at least: they feel normal. Some take the side-effects over the complaints of their natural menstruation. Some women go through their natural cycles whistling. Some women don't "like" their natural cycle, but do definitely prefer it over BCP. Some go through the worst during menstruation. Some have delightful ovulations. Or even feel very sensual during their period.

EEK, who permitted your poor sister-in-law only one aspirin? I would like to emphasize aspirin is not of the category of medication that changes your cycle. So while using NFP women can certainly take the normal dosage and quantity of aspirin as indicated for their age/height/weight/medical history. When in doubt, she could always ask her physician or pharmacist (I do!). As any woman on BCP should also do, since there are meds that influence BCP. I do love how her husband so kindly cares for her, btw :)

I would encourage women, esp teens, and parents with teenage daughters to watch them(selves) closely, when they start on BCP. And encourage them to keep up evaluations with the prescribing doctor. Esp while being a teenager in a changing body, it becomes easy to assume the current state is "normal". As a personal example; while being on BCP aged 12-22 I thought it was normal to feel disconnected, have long bleeds, black and clotted blood, often and irregular spotting and bleeding while taking the pills, unexpected sudden episodes of nausea, dizziness, sweating and heavy crampings, etc. It was the only "normal" I knew and no-one ever told me otherwise. Nor did ever a doctor check-up or evaluate the BCP-use. Within a few weeks after quitting all this disappeared and I never felt better :), which makes it clear that the BCP actually caused it.

Apart from unnecessary discomfort, the trickiest part of this may be that there are few women on which BCP doesn't work well. Very few, but there are. Only a doctor can judge whether you're suffering side-effects -that can be fixed by trying another brand- or the symptoms of hormonal contraception not catching on well. In retrospect my current physician concludes my body was most likely constantly trying to invoke my natural cycle. I'm therefor happy that I never used it as contraception, since that could have resulted in an unexpected surprise. So to prevent troubles, parents, girls and women: keep a sharp eye on what's happening to the body.

I wouldn't agree that nature is rarely kind. I mean; just because our species exists for only a fraction of history and is able to manipulate what nature gives us, it still means we owe every little thing to it.

editdeletereply

Posted: 30 Sep 04:33