Place in therapy
Efficacy
Natural contraceptive methods prevent pregnancy by identifying the woman’s fertile and infertile periods in each menstrual cycle. Therefore, it requires the woman be diligent in keeping a good record for an extended period of time. Failure rates for sympto-thermal method have been reported to range from 3 to 22%1. Failure rates for fertility monitors average from 5.3% to 8.3%1. Coitus interruptus, or withdrawal, when used correctly, is reported to have a failure rate of 4% in a year1, but typical failure rate has been estimated to be 18% in a year1. Natural contraceptive methods do not protect the individual from sexually transmitted diseases. Symptothermal methods and fertility monitor methods do not work when the woman has irregular menstrual cycles. Efficacy of symptothermal and fertility monitor methods may be affected by use of hormonal pharmacologic treatments, corticosteroids, clomiphene, tamoxifen, and danazol.
Safety
No side effects are of particular concern for natural contraceptive methods.
Convenience
Symptothermal method requires the woman to be highly disciplined and motivated at recording her trend in basal body temperature each day at the same time and via the same route. Symptothermal method also precludes sexual intercourse for at least 7 days of each cycle1. There are no particular convenience issues for coitus interruptus.
References
1. Patient Self Care 1st Edition. 2002. Canadian Pharmacists Association. Contraception: Chapter 49; pp 650-670
.
Efficacy
Natural contraceptive methods prevent pregnancy by identifying the woman’s fertile and infertile periods in each menstrual cycle. Therefore, it requires the woman be diligent in keeping a good record for an extended period of time. Failure rates for sympto-thermal method have been reported to range from 3 to 22%1. Failure rates for fertility monitors average from 5.3% to 8.3%1. Coitus interruptus, or withdrawal, when used correctly, is reported to have a failure rate of 4% in a year1, but typical failure rate has been estimated to be 18% in a year1. Natural contraceptive methods do not protect the individual from sexually transmitted diseases. Symptothermal methods and fertility monitor methods do not work when the woman has irregular menstrual cycles. Efficacy of symptothermal and fertility monitor methods may be affected by use of hormonal pharmacologic treatments, corticosteroids, clomiphene, tamoxifen, and danazol.
Safety
No side effects are of particular concern for natural contraceptive methods.
Convenience
Symptothermal method requires the woman to be highly disciplined and motivated at recording her trend in basal body temperature each day at the same time and via the same route. Symptothermal method also precludes sexual intercourse for at least 7 days of each cycle1. There are no particular convenience issues for coitus interruptus.
References
1. Patient Self Care 1st Edition. 2002. Canadian Pharmacists Association. Contraception: Chapter 49; pp 650-670
.