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Because natural family planning (NFP) is knowledge
and not a commercial product offering scope for large profits, both
the medical literature and the popular media are quick to ridicule
it. NFP is often labelled "the rhythm method" even though
no modern NFP is based upon the myth of rhythm. However all forms
of NFP do require short periods of abstinence if the couple wishes
to avoid a pregnancy. There is a cultural
rejection of the concept of abstinence and sexual responsibility.
Rightly or wrongly it is very often the male who is seen as lacking
the capacity to practice sexual continence.
The case for teaching the woman to recognise
her basic infertile pattern and the changes
reliably associated with impending ovulation, especially her peak symptoms and the overall pattern of changes that reflect
reproductive
health, is overwhelming. For the man who loves that woman, to
share that knowledge, understand its significance, and respond with
self control is uplifting to the dignity of both.
A man's abstinence tends to foster sensitivity
to the woman's needs because it focuses attention on her as a person.
It brings the relationship past the point of free, available, recreational
sex.
There is little romance without abstinence.
Without abstinence, sexual expression seems to lose its piquancy,
naturally regenerated in abstinence. That which is striven for,
that which is wanted and denied gains a value simply through being
so.
Knowledge of a woman's
cycle and its irregularities deepens a man's understanding of
her and her reactions. Knowing that she is capable of emotional
highs and lows adds excitement to living with her. Boring male hormonal
consistency and dependability is complemented by the flush and flight
of a temperament that both sings and weeps.
When people reject natural family planning because
of the abstinence involved, it puzzles how they manage in all the
many times of abstinence that occur in any case. Abstinence in the
flowering relationship is an expression of love and respect, a conquering
of oneself in order to mature one's own gift of love in other ways
than sexual intimacy, to demonstrate that fidelity is more than
sexual. Abstinence is essential to our nature.
This chart was made by a couple who have been teaching the Billings
Ovulation Method for many years.
The woman uses as a symbol a red flower for menstruation, a dry
twig for a dry day, a twig with green leaves when the mucus begins,
and a beautiful flower to mark the Peak day which is the most fertile
day of the cycle and means to these people a child. The green leaves
continuing for three days after the Peak indicate continuing fertility. |
