Fertility Awareness - Page 9

Fertility awareness/natural family planning

These methods allow a woman to use the body's natural signs of fertility as a guide to predict ovulation and determine her risk of pregnancy at different times throughout the monthly menstrual cycle.  By recognizing the signs which occur prior to, during and after ovulation, a woman and her partner may choose to abstain, or use a barrier method during the high risk days of the menstrual cycle.

Body signs that help monitor ovulation patterns include basal body temperature, texture of cervical mucous and changes in the cervix itself.  These must be recorded on a graph to identify the subtle signs that occur and change throughout the month.

It is recommended that couples attend special classes to learn how to utilize this as a method of birth control.  These classes are often offered by various religious organizations.  There are also many books written on the subject.

Sterilization

Sterilization is generally considered a permanent method of birth control.  The decision to proceed with sterilization is a serious decision that should be given much thought and consideration.

Since sterilization is a surgical procedure it is important that the physician providing the services carefully review all of the perceived benefits and risks related to any surgical procedure.

Vasectomy is the male sterilization procedure.  This procedure surgically blocks sperm from entering the seminal fluid.

Tubal ligation is the female sterilization procedure.  The surgery causes an interruption in the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg from traveling from the ovary to the uterus.

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