Dear Friends, this week, we continue our reflection on natural family planning (NFP) as key to living responsible parenthood (the God endowed vocation to all married couples) fully, and exploring further its effectiveness, I invite you to take a brief look at the background of effectiveness of family planning methods in general.
First, to understand the effectiveness of family planning methods, we must first look at the overall context of fertility and infertility in human populations:
- To begin with, not all couples are fertile. Worldwide it is estimated infertility affects 15% of reproductive age couples. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of infertility is higher. A large study from 2004 noted that more than 30% of women in Africa aged 25-49 suffered from secondary infertility, the failure to conceive after an initial first pregnancy. Today, that figure is even higher!
- In Nigeria, the incidence of infertility is between 20 and 46%, depending on the study, if primary or secondary infertility is being considered and how infertility is defined (some studies use a definition of one year without conception; other studies have used up to five years without conception).
- With a high background of infertility in our country, it is imperative to note how any method could either help protect a couple’s fertility or how any method could potentially impair or harm a couple’s fertility (for example, could an IUD increase the chance of pelvic inflammatory disease leading to tubal blockage and infertility?)
- With a high background prevalence of infertility in Nigeria, we can confidently say that NFP is a method of choice for it does nothing to potentially jeopardize a woman’s fertility. In fact, by helping a couple understand when conception is most likely to occur during the menstrual cycle, it can be an aid and indeed has helped couples to conceive.
Considering the effectiveness of various means of family planning in preventing pregnancy, we need to know that:
- 100% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy only occurs if a woman has no uterus (no ovaries to produce and release egg) or if a man has no sperm (he is castrated or if his testicles do not make any sperm). 100% effectiveness means that there are 0 pregnancies amongst 100 women in 12 months.
- 15% effectiveness occurs with no birth control at all. Thus, we expect in the absence of any kind of family planning there will be 85 pregnancies amongst 100 women in 12 months.
Also, to determine the effectiveness of any method, we must distinguish between “perfect use” and “typical use” effectiveness of that method.
- PERFECT USE is when the method is understood, used correctly and consistently “with no mistakes.”
- TYPICAL USE means incorrect and or inconsistent use of the method.
- Until next time dear Friends do have a blessed week! May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for couples and families especially in our parish of distinction as they strive to build their homes into sanctuaries of LOVE and LIFE! Please remind her of this intention during your October devotion! Please Remember: For all your questions or comments: +234 701 212 7787.
