Natural birth control

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Natural birth control
Background
B.C. type	natural birth control
First use	Ancient (abstinence, withdrawal, herbal) to modern (FA, NFP, heat-based, LAM)
Failure rates (per year)
Perfect use	Various%
Typical use	Various%
Usage
Reversibility	Yes
User reminders	See individual methods
Clinic review	None
Advantages
Benefits	No side effects (possible exception of herbal)
Disadvantages
STD protection	No
Weight gain	No

Natural birth control refers to methods of birth control that are natural in that they do not rely on chemicals or devices. These methods include abstinence, methods of fertility awareness, the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM), coitus interruptus (withdrawal), and possibly heat-based contraception.

Controversially, anal sex and oral sex, inasmuch as they are sexual activity with no or a low risk of conception, may also be described as a natural birth control method.

Natural birth control excludes all barrier, hormonal, chemical, and surgical birth control methods, including condoms, the pill, the IUD, spermicides, and sterilization. Natural birth control generally does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Naturally occurring substances are chemicals. However, some distinguish them from synthetic substances. Promoters of naturally occurring substances as possible contraceptives (such as lemon juice,^[1] wild yam,^[2] Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot),^[3] or neem^[4]), may refer to them as natural birth control.

Proponents of the Catholic concept of natural family planning define 'natural' somewhat differently, and only approve of total or periodic abstinence as methods of family planning. Periodic abstinence involves avoiding sexual intercourse during high fertility times, identified by a method of fertility awareness. Extending the natural period of breastfeeding infertility through particular breastfeeding practices (LAM) is also permitted.

[edit] References

1. ^ Lemon - a History. Lemons and AIDS. http://www.aids.net.au (March 2004). Retrieved on 2006-08-05.
2. ^ Wild Yam - An Herbal Contraceptive. http://www.sisterzeus.com (2004). Retrieved on 2006-08-05.
3. ^ Chaudhury R. "The quest for a herbal contraceptive.". Natl Med J India 6 (5): 199-201. PMID 8241931. See Daucus carota.
4. ^ Mukherjee S, Garg S, Talwar G (1999). "Early post implantation contraceptive effects of a purified fraction of neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds, given orally in rats: possible mechanisms involved.". J Ethnopharmacol 67 (3): 287-96. PMID 10617063.
   Sharma S, SaiRam M, Ilavazhagan G, Devendra K, Shivaji S, Selvamurthy W (1996). "Mechanism of action of NIM-76: a novel vaginal contraceptive from neem oil.". Contraception 54 (6): 373-8. PMID 8968666.