Advantages of Natural Family Planning

Safe and Healthy

• No medical side effects
• No abortifacient effects (in contrast to methods using artificial hormones--Pill, Patch, Depo shot, etc.)
• Promotes self-awareness and wellness
• Can alert a couple to potential fertility problems or other health issues

True Family Planning

• Can help couples with low fertility to have the best chance of conceiving a child
• Does not risk extended loss, reduction, or total elimination of fertility as do the Pill, Depo-Provera, IUD, etc.
• Can be "reversed" at any time

Effective in Postponing Pregnacy

• Same range of effectiveness as the most effective artificial means (Pill, IUD, etc.)
• More effective than barriers such as condoms, diaphragms, spermicides, etc.

Inexpensive

• Instruction in methods between $ 50 and $ 400, sliding scale available in all methods
• Payback vs contraception is a few months

Morally Right

• When used in the context of Responsible Parenthood
• Respects the integrity of the man and wife, created in God's image
• Vs. contraception, which "must be excluded as intrinsically immoral" (Familiaris Consortio, 32)

Good for Marriages and for Children

• Promotes communication, faithfulness, intimacy, mutual respect, chastity, love
• Helps parents appreciate children as gifts from God
• Helps parents communicate healthy sexual attitudes to their children