Non-Hormonal Family Planning Options: Alternatives to Birth Control Pills

Question
Hello,
I have been using birth control pills for almost 4 years. Lately I have heard more and more about the risks and dangers of using pills. What options are out there for a couple that would like to wait to have children but would like to toss the pills? I know there are condoms, spermicide etc., but what is the best non drug form of family planning?
Thanks for your advice

Answer
Beronica:  I hope you are well.  I am writing again to remind you to consider the risks of the artificial contraception you are using and look into the NFP that you asked about.

The best non drug method of family planning is Natural Family Planning.  When you use this method, you are learning about your body, your fertility and your health.  You are empowered to make good decisions because of the information you gain by noticing the signs and symptoms of your natural fertility cycle.  

There are books and classes you can take to help you learn the method.  I will give you some websites that I recommend because of their integrity and clarity.  You don't need any more equipment than a good basal thermometer and a chart to keep track of what you are checking.  It takes a few seconds every day to check and write down your symptoms.  Over time, you look at the pattern that will develop and learn how to read the pattern, along with the guidelines that experienced users have described in detail.  

If you do it with your husband, you are both engaged in the process instead of just one of you subjecting yourself to chemicals or vinyl/latex and you will know with much greater assurance when you are fertile and when you are not.  with any other method, you have to use it all the time, which involves the chemical cocktail and the expense daily.  With this method, you have confidence in yourself and you can decide whether you are going to trust yourself or rely on a barrier which can fail or a drug which can fail.

http://www.nfpandmore.org/
This website has an online manual as well a chart you can print and start using right away.

http://ccli.org/
This website has an online course and the option of finding teaching couples in your area if they are available.  

Read these resource over and let me know if you have any other questions.

Brigid