Advantages of NFP

The advantage of the natural methods is that they increase a woman's awareness of the cyclic processes in her body and have no pharmacological side-effects.

They are an opportunity for couples to structure their sexual relationship in a spirit of partnership.

They depend on the cooperation of both partners and their willingness to abstain from intercourse for several days if they want to avoid pregnancy.

Disadvantages of NFP

The disadvantage of the temperature/rhythm method, the cervical mucus method and the temperature method is that they do not take into account fluctuations in the cycle. There are many circumstances in everyday life which can influence the rhythm of the menstrual cycle and which make reliable calculation of the fertile and infertile days impossible. These include stress, lack of sleep, unaccustomed physical exertion and illness.

If properly used, the combination of the calendar method and the temperature method (symptothermal method) offers the best contraceptive protection but is in principle subject to the same restrictions as each method alone.

According to the manufacturers hormone computers have a slightly higher effectiveness but they are not suitable for all women.

All natural methods of family planning are relatively time-consuming and require a high degree of discipline and a regular routine.

They also have the disadvantage that they leave take the spontaneity out of your love life and that sexual intercourse has to follow a schedule.


NFP methods are not suitable for women with unstable cycles (e.g. women who have just started menstruating or women approaching menopause).

If you are using drugs that influence the cycle (e.g. hormone replacement therapy during menopause) or have certain diseases of the ovaries (polycystic ovary syndrome) you also cannot use natural family planning methods.

Women who have stressful occupations (e.g. shift work) or have to travel a lot in connection with their work should use other methods of contraception.