Homemade Spermicide - Does It Really Work?

Although no method of birth control can ever guarantee 100% protection, some women believe that certain homemade methods of contraception are effective ways to avoid pregnancy. These forms of homemade contraception include household substances such as honey, baking soda, aloe vera, lemon juice and soft drinks. While some believe that these methods work as spermicides, its best to use a commercial spermicide to be sure.

Do-It-Yourself Recipe

One of the most popular homemade recipes involves aloe vera gel and lemon juice. To make it, combine 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel with 3 drops of lemon juice. You can keep this mixture refrigerated for up to 72 hours. Although this recipe is often used, it has never been clinically tested and should not be considered a full proof form of birth control.

Soft Drinks as Post-Coital Douches Another popular homemade spermicide method that is often referred to involves Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola has been considered a wonder cure for everything from colic to hiccups, to relieving jelly fish stings. Because of all of its other supposed capabilities, people began to believe in its effectiveness as a contraceptive method. During the 1960s, Americans used Coca-Cola as an after-sex spermicide with worrying frequency and many women in third world countries still use Coca-Cola as an after-sex douche today.
A Harvard research team found that Coca-Cola was only able to immobilize 30 percent of ejaculated sperm within an hour after intercourse. What was even more alarming is that they found that Coca-Cola douches actually increase the forward velocity of healthy sperm by almost 18 cm/hour and therefore increase the chances of pregnancy!

Another soft drink called Krest Bitter Lemon was studied to gauge its effectiveness as a method of birth control when used as a post-coital douche. The authors of that study stated that it was unlikely to be effective because sperm leaves the ejaculate within 1.5 minutes of deposition, therefore the sperm cannot be reached by the douche.

Family planning consultants never recommend using soft drinks in order to prevent pregnancy and state that their effectiveness is only minimal to non-existent as forms of contraception.

Note: The above references are purely anecdotal. While we encourage the research of alternative forms of contraception, we do not recommend the use of homemade spermicides as contraceptive methods.

Remember, full medical consultation should be sought before making any decision regarding birth control and sexual health. It is also recommended to speak openly with your partner regarding all sexual and reproductive health related issues.

FemCap - The Modern Alternative to Diaphragms

FemCap is a 100% natural form of reversible contraception. It is hormone and latex free and has been in production for over 10 years. FemCap is the only cervical cap approved in America by the FDA and has received the EU / CE 0050 certification.

So, What is FemCap?

FemCap is a cervical cap made of medical grade, hypoallergenic silicone rubber that is used in conjunction with a spermicide as a barrier contraceptive.

In order to be effective, FemCap must be used with a spermicide. Because of its all natural, chemical-free ingredients, Ethical Family Planning recommends ContraGel Green, the natural alternative to spermicide, to be used with FemCap.

FemCap Highlights

There are many reasons why FemCap remains one of the most preferred cervical caps among women. One of the best things about FemCap is that it has no effect on either partner's sexual desire or pleasure and allows users to enjoy more natural sex. It is a safe, effective form of birth control that is easy to use and can be inserted hours before intercourse. Therefore, it does not interrupt spontaneity.

It is inexpensive, reusable for one year and environmentally safe. FemCap is made from a non-allergenic latex-free material and has an advanced anatomical design.

On top of that, FemCap doesn't interfere with your menstrual cycle and allows your body's natural fertility cycle to remain in place. This also means that FemCap does not effect breastfeeding or breast milk.

FemCap comes in three sizes and can fit almost any women. The ability to select the correct size without the need for a medical consultation (although one is always recommended) is another reason why FemCap is so innovative. This empowers a woman to take better control of her contraceptive choices. Women who use FemCap have full control over their contraception because it requires no involvement from the male. FemCap is often favoured by health care professionals because of its minimal training time.

FemCap Disadvantages

There are only a few disadvantages to using FemCap and these are rarely serious enough to cause people to discontinue use. First of all, planning is necessary before engaging in sexual intimacy when practicing contraception with FemCap. Therefore, if you know you're going to have sex or are likely to have sex, you must plan a time to insert FemCap before getting sexually aroused. Also, because women are often unable to feel FemCap's presence, they may forget to remove it and leave it in for over 48 hours. To avoid this, women should use a calendar to monitor insertion and removal. Lastly, barrier contraceptives are slightly less effective than hormonal contraceptives.

Check out a close-up view of FemCap:

FemCap Sizes:

FemCap is available in three different sizes: 22mm, 26mm, 30mm. The size is determined by the rim’s diameter.

The smallest rim diameter (22mm) is intended for women who have never been pregnant.

The medium (26mm) cap is intended for women who have been pregnant but have not had a vaginal delivery.

The largest (30mm) is intended for women who have had a vaginal delivery of a full-term baby.

The only exception to these sizing criteria is if a woman had a spontaneous miscarriage and/or she was not aware of it. In that case, she would need the 26mm FemCap. If the woman and her doctor are unsure, they should use the 26mm FemCap to be safe.

Important Information

In order to be effective, Fem-Cap must be used in conjunction with a spermicidal gel such as Gygel or ContraGel Green. A woman should not use FemCap if she has an infection in her vagina, cervix, or pelvic area or a cut or tear in her vagina or cervix. You must read all of the instructions thoroughly, including the removal advice, prior to using FemCap. FemCap is FDA, NHS, Health Canada and CE approved.

It is interesting to note that intercourse only has the risk of pregnancy for about 6 days per cycle during your Fertility Window. A healthy egg is only fertilisable for 18-24 hours and sperm can't survive for more than 5 days inside of you so that span of 6 day (5 days before ovulation and the day of ovulation) are really the only time when barrier contraception needs to be used for pregnancy protection. Click here to learn more about identifying your Fertility Window for contraception

Watch - The official FemCap user-guide video

Barrier Contraceptives

Barrier contraceptives have been making a comeback in recent years with the use of condoms being promoted to combat HIV and AIDS and also as more women turn their back on the pill and look for non-hormanal alternatives. With the introduction of natural alternatives to spermicide such as Contragel and the replacement of latex with silicone, barrier contraceptives are becoming popular once again.

The widespread use of latex in the 1950's was a huge leap forward in barrier contraception. Condoms became widely available all over the world and women were able to take control of their own contraception using diaphragms. After a while, pharmaceutical companies realised that monthly pills would bring in more revenue than diaphragms, which only have to be purchased once a year.

This reaslisation coupled with more and more people recognizing latex allergies, allergies related to chemical spermicides and Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) brought about the rise in hormonal contraception. As a result, barrier contraception became less popular and experienced a steady decline, now that's all starting to change. Could barrier contraceptives be right for you?

Choosing the right barrier contraceptive is often as difficult as choosing the right contraceptive method in the first place. There are many factors to consider and it’s completely dependent on your individual needs and lifestyle.

Choosing barrier contraception in the first place is actually only one part of your possible fertility strategy. It should be remembered that intercourse only has the risk of pregnancy for about 6 days per cycle during your Fertility Window. A healthy egg is only fertilisable for 18-24 hours and sperm can't survive for more than 5 days inside of you so that span of 6 day (5 days before ovulation and the day of ovulation) are really the only time when barrier contraception needs to be used for pregnancy protection.

Remember, for the purpose of contraception you need only use barrier contraceptives during your Fertility Window, the 6-8 days per cycle when intercourse could lead to pregnancy. Click here to learn more about identifying your Fertility Window for contraception

Read on to learn about the different barrier contraceptives available and learn which one is right for you.

Cervical Caps, Diaphragms, Condoms or Contraceptive Sponges?

If you have used spermicide in the past, you know that it is most effective when used in conjunction with contraceptive barriers. Spermicide can be used with cervical caps, diaphragms, and condoms. These types of barrier contraceptives are usually made with latex or more recently silicon, which works well for people who experience adverse reactions to latex based products.

About Cervical Caps

The cervical cap is a form of barrier contraception that fits snugly over the cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus through the external orifice of the uterus. The external orifice of the uterus is called the os. One of the most popular types of cervical caps is Fempcap. Femcap is made with medical grade silicon rubber, which is perfect for users who experience adverse reactions to latex. As of February 2009, after Prentif Cap was discontinued, FemCap was the only FDA approved cervical cap available in the United States.

Lea's Shield was a cervical barrier device which was discontinued in 2008. Some sources use ‘cervical cap’ to refer to FemcCap and Lea’s Shield while others classify Lea’s Sheild as a distinct type of device. Terminology on different sites can be confusing, so make sure you understand which device is being referred to in your research.

All cervical caps must be used in conjunction with a spermicide in order to be effective. Because of it's chemical-free, all natural ingredients, Ethical Family Planning recommends the use of ContraGel Green, the natural alternative to spermicide.

About Diaphragms

The diaphragm is shaped like a dome with a spring molded into the rim and is made of silicone or soft latex. The spring creates a seal against the walls of the vagina. As is the case with cervical caps, many women prefer silicon based diaphragms because of allergic or adverse reactions to latex.

According to contraceptive technology, the method failure rate of the diaphragm used with spermicide is 6% per year. Annual pregnancy rates of 10 to 39% of diaphragm users have also been reported. These however vary greatly between the populations being studied. One of the most interesting things to consider about diaphragms is that they are as equally effective for women who have given birth as they are for women who have not. This is a characteristic unique to diaphragms when compared to other forms of cervical barriers.

Using diaphragms has been known to increase the risk of contracting urinary tract infections (UTIs). Urinating before inserting the diaphragm and also after intercourse may reduce this risk. The increased risk of UTIs may be due to the diaphragm applying pressure to the urethra, which is common if the diaphragm is too large. This causes irritation by preventing the bladder from emptying completely. However, the spermicide nonoxynol-9 is itself associated with an increased risk of UTI, yeast infection, and bacterial vaginosis. For this reason, some advocate the use of lactic acid based spermicides, which may have fewer side effects.

For women who experience side effects from nonoxynol-9, some sources have suggested using diaphragms without spermicide. One study reported a 24% rate of actual pregnancy per year among women using the diaphragm without spermicide. The women in this study were not fitted individually by a clinician and were instead all given a 60mm diaphragm. There haven’t been enough studies to recommend using diaphragms without spermicide, so you should still use both products together for maximum protection. We suggest the use of ContraGen Green, especially for women who experience irritation as a result of nonoxynol-9.

Diaphragms also come with the risk of experiencing toxic shock syndrome (TSS) however the actual chance of this happening is quite low. Out of 100,000 diaphragm users, 2.4 will experience TSS. This happens almost exclusively when the diaphragm is left inside the vagina for over 24 hours.

Those allergic to latex are advised against using latex diaphragms. There are only a few non-latex diaphragms available on the market. One of the most popular silicon based diaphragm brands is Milex.

About Condoms

A condom is one of the most popular barrier devices on the market. It is a contraceptive used during intercourse, most often by males, to avoid pregnancy. A condom can also be used to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV, chlamydia and syphillis. Condoms are placed over a man’s erect penis and act as a physical barricade, preventing ejaculated semen from entering the body of the man’s sexual partner.

Male condoms are user-friendly, inexpensive, have few side effects and can reduce the risk of transmitting STDs. When used properly during each act of intercourse, the pregnancy rate of users is only 2% per year.
Because of their elasticity, durability, and waterproof quality, condoms can be used for other things unrelated to contraception. For example, condoms can be used to create waterproof microphones and also to collect semen for use in an infertility treatment. They can even prevent rifle barrels from clogging.

Some male condoms are made with materials such as polyurethane, polyisoprene or lamb intestine, but the vast majority are made from latex. Female condoms on the other hand, are most often made with polyurethane.

Some condoms come pre-lubricated with a small amount of nonoxynol-9 spermicide chemical. Consumer Reports have concluded that these spermicide-lubricated condoms don’t actually offer any additional benefits when it comes to preventing pregnancy. They also have a shorter lifespan than regular condoms and are believed to cause urinary-tract infections in women. On the other hand, applying separately packaged spermicide to condoms is believed to increase a condom’s efficiency.

The failure rate of condoms varies depending on the population being studied and has been reported to be around 10-18% per year. The pregnancy rate of condoms used perfectly is 2% per year. For maximum protection, condoms may be used with other forms of contraception, such as spermicide.

About Contraceptive Sponges

Contraceptive sponges prevent contraception by combining barrier and spermicidal methods. These sponges cannot be reused or refilled and must be disposed of after use. The leading brands of contraceptive sponges on the market today are Pharmatex, Protectaid and Today sponge. Pharmax is available in France and Quebec; Protectaid in Canada and Europe; while Today is sold in the United States.

The Today sponge manufacturer reports a success rate of 89% to 91% for users who practice contraception with the sponge consistently and correctly. The success rate of users who do not follow the directions on the package prior to intercourse drop to 84% to 89%. Other sources report lower effectiveness for women who have given birth in comparison with those who have not (74% for perfect use and 68% during typical use).

The effectiveness of typical use of Protectaid has been reported at 77% to 91%, while perfect use has rates of over 99% per year. Studies of Pharmatex have shown typical use success rates of 81% per year. To further increase the effectiveness of condoms, implementing another method of birth control such as condoms could be beneficial.

Unlike Protectaid and Pharmatex sponges which come ready to use, you must run the Today sponge under water until it´s completely wet before insertion. Each sponge may be inserted 24 hours before intercourse. In order to be effective, it must be left in place for at least six hours after intercourse. Contraceptive sponges should not be worn for more than 30 hours straight.

The contraceptive sponge acts as a physical barrier that prevents sperm from entering the cervix and going into the female reproductive system. Spermicide is an essential component of practicing contraception with sponges and each brand is manufactured using a different kind of spermicide.

The Today sponge contains 1,000 milligrams of nonoxynol-9. Protectaid contains 5,000 mg of F-5 gel, which contains three active ingredients (6.25 mg of nonoxynol-9, 6.25 mg of benzalkonium chloride, and 25 mg of sodium cholate). Pharmatex contains 60 mg of benzalkonium chloride. The abundance of nonxynol-9 is often a concern of potential users. If you've experienced any adverse reactions to nonoxynol-9 spermicide before, you will most likely be irritated by sponges and should therefore consider an alternative form of barrier contraceptives such as the cervical cap in conjunction with ContraGel.

Women who use the sponge have an increased risk of contracting yeast and urinary tract infections. Leaving the sponge in for over thirty hours can cause toxic shock syndrome, therefore it´s extremely important to use sponges with proper care and attention. If you experience any averse reactions to the sponge, you may be allergic to spermicide and should seek medical attention before continuing use.

Have a look at our video below and articles on Fertility Awareness, the Sypto-Thermal method of contraception and Contraceptive Monitors like Cyclotest to learn more about natural contraception and fertility.

Choosing a Contraceptive Method

There is no single form of birth control that is ideal for all women of all ages. The best form of birth control really depends on the individual.

For example, the priorities of women in their late teens vary greatly from women in their thirties. Women in stable relationships are usually less likely to be at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in contrast to younger, single women, therefore their preferred method of birth control may differ.

When choosing a method of contraception, the most important aspect to be sure of is that it works well for you and your lifestyle. If your chosen form of birth control is easily integrated into your life, the risk of complications or inconveniences is greatly reduced. Often, women practice several forms of birth control throughout their fertile lives because their lifestyles change.

It is always recommended to speak with your doctor, family planning consultant and partner before starting any new form of contraception.

Barrier Methods of Contraception

Barrier methods of contraception refer to objects which put a physical impediment between the sperm and the female reproductive track. Of all the barrier methods available, male condoms are most popular. Condoms are latex or polyurethane sheaths which are placed over the penis prior to intercourse. The less popular female version of the condom is also made of polyurethane and has one flexible ring at each end. One of these secure behind the pubic bone to hold the condom in place and the other stays outside the vagina.

Other forms of female barrier contraceptives are cervical barriers, contraceptive sponges and cervical caps. Cervical barriers are contained within the vagina and contraceptive sponges are kept in place over the cervix.

The smallest cervical barrier is the cervical cap. Normally, the cap stays in place by attaching itself to the cervix or vaginal walls using suction. Diaphragms fit behind a woman’s pubic bone. They have a flexible ring which helps keep it in place against the vaginal walls. For extra protection, spermicide may be placed inside the vagina before intercourse when using diaphragms. Spermicide may also be used alone, without a diaphragm, to create a chemical barrier or in conjunction with another physical barrier.

Hormonal Contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives come in many forms and are generally made up of of synthetic oestrogens and progestins (synthetic progestogens). The most common of these include oral contraceptive pill (‘the pill’), the patch, the contraceptive vaginal ring (‘NuvaRing’) and a monthly injection such as Lunelle, which is not currently available for use in the USA.

Other forms of hormonal birth control only contain a progestin (synthetic progestogen). The progesterone only pill (also know as POP or ‘minipill’) is one of the most popular among these types of birth control. The progesterone pill differs from the ‘the pill’ in that it must be taken at much more precise times in order to be effective. Other common forms of progestin contraceptives include tri-monthly injections (Depo Provera, which is a depot formulation of medroxyprogesterone acetate adminstered as an intramuscular injection), Noristerat (Norethindrone acetate administered as an intramuscular injection every 8 weeks) and contraceptive implants. These forms of progestin-only contraception may cause irregular bleeding.

Intrauterin Methods - The Coil

Intrauterin methods refer to contraceptive devices which are placed inside the uterus and are usually shaped like the letter ‘T’. The arms on of the ‘T’ hold the device in place. Frame-less intrauterin devices (IUDs), such as GyneFix, are also available and are less likely to cause complications. The two main types of IUDs are those that release progestin (a synthetic progestogen) and those that contain copper.

Because there are ten types of copper IUDs in the UK and only one in the US, the terminology to describe these devices differ between the two countries. In the United States, all devices placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy are referred to as intrauterine devices (IUDs) or intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs). In the UK, only copper containing devices are referred to as IUDs (or IUCDs). Hormonal intrauterine contraceptives are called Intra-Uterine System (IUS).

Coitus Interruptus

'Coitus Interruptus’ literally translates to ‘interrupted sexual intercourse’ and is also referred to as the withdrawal or pull-out method. Coitus Interruptus is accomplished by ending sexual intercourse (pulling out) before ejaculation and involves certain risks. First, the man may not complete the maneuver on time or he may do it incorrectly. Concern has been raised in the past concerning the risk of pregnancy from pre-ejaculate sperm, but several small studies have failed to find any viable sperm in the fluid.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) can only be practiced by new mothers who are currently lactating. In order to save the strength of a new mother, the body was designed to switch off fertility after birth so the new mother could breast feed the child without the added stress of periods.

According to a Planned Parenthood study conducted in 2005, for women who meet the following criteria, LAM is 98% - 99.5% effective during the first six months after pregnancy.

The infant must obtain all of its nutrients (or almost all) from breastfeeding.

Pumping instead of nursing and feeding formula to infants reduce the effectiveness of LAM.

The infant must be breastfeed every four hours during the day and every six hours at night.

The infant must be less than 6 years old.

The mother must not have had a period for 56 days after giving birth (when determining fertility, bleeding prior to 56 days postpartum can be ignored).

Fertility Awareness for Contraception

Like LAMs, Symptoms-based Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) are natural ways to practice contraception. FAMs involve a woman observing and monitoring her body’s fertility symptoms in order to determine the fertile and infertile days of her cycle. In order to monitor correctly, a women must record the fertility signs manually or by using software.

When a women measures her basal body temperature in combination with an additional indicator of fertility, she is implementing what is known as the ‘symptothermal’ method of contraception.

Many women choose to employ the assistance of contraceptive monitors when practicing this form of contraception. Contraceptive monitors are tiny computers which identify the fertile and non-fertile phase of a woman’s cycle by measuring body temperature or analysing urine.

Contraception is also practiced using calender-based methods such as the standard days method and the rhythm method. These practices use the length of past menstrual cycles to predict the likelihood of fertility.

In order for FAM to work as an effective form of contraception, many people choose to abstain from unprotected sex or use physical barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, during their fertile periods.

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is often associated with FAM, and specifically refers to forms of contraception permitted by the Roman Catholic Church.

FAMs are often used by those practicing NFP in order to identify their fertile and non fertile phases of their cycle.

Conclusion

Now that you have a better understanding of all the different forms of contraception available, choosing the one that’s right for you should be less challenging. Remember that there are many things to consider before choosing a method of contraception and you should always consult your doctor before starting any kind of regime.

Ethical Family Planning is on the Web!

EFP has launched a new website, which is the starting point of a new initiative to bring awareness about natural family planning , natural contraception and sexual health issues into the public domain. Through our informative articles, video tutorials and comprehensive forum, the team here at EFP is determined to educate visitors in all areas concerning sexual health.

The forum on Ethical Family Planning's site aims to provide a platform for users to share their opinions, experiences and advice on issues surrounding natural family planning , natural contraception and sexual health. We encourage input from all of our users regardless of backrgound in order to form a well-rounded, accurate discussion concerning these often sensitive topics.

Should 15 year olds be on the pill? Is Natural Family Planning reliable? Can natural contraceptive products be as reliable as pharmaceutical products? Is the morning-after pill the same as abortion? When is abortion acceptable? Under what circumstances?

There's plenty to discuss and our forum is now live and ready for your input! Post your questions, comments and concerns anonymously and get the advice and support you need.

Don't forget to browse through our articles and start getting educated on natural contraception, pregnancy and STDs.

Check us out!

www.ethicalfamilyplanning.com

Lady-Comp, Baby-Comp and Pearly Medical Studies

Here are a list of clinical tests and studies into the Valley Electronics range of cycle computers.

Many thanks to the Valley Electronics Research Department for supplying this information.

Clinical Tests and Reports on BABY-COMP® and LADY-COMP®

1. Medical Product, Directive 93/42/EEC, January, 2009

Quality Management, Medical Device, Directive 93/42/EEC

Quality Management, Voluntary participation in regular monitoring EN ISO13485:2003 + AC:2007.

2. Medical Evaluation, Dr. Andreas Marx – ClevaMed, Sept. 20th, 2007

EG-Instruction 93/42 EWG und MEDDEV.2.7.1

‘very high degree in Method-Security, which clearly stands out from competitive devices’.

3. Certification EMV EN60601-1-2

March 12th, 2007 LADY-COMP®

March 19th, 2007 BABY-COMP®

July 10th, 2007 pearly®

4. Certification of Production

ISO9001: 2000 / ISO14001: 2004

Environmental Assessment Bavaria, December 16th, 2005

5. Congresso della Societa Italiana della Contraccezione, June 16-18th, 2005 Lettura BABY-COMP®

Dr. Hubertus Rechberg: Contraception and Baby-planning with LADY-COMP® and BABY-COMP®

6. FDA, January 2005 Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)

as an aid in ovulation prediction

7. New York Observer, Juni 25th, 2004

Sheelah Kolhatkar: Orgasmatron shows up: High-Tech-Rhythm

8. Advances in Contraception 1998; 14: 97-108

Prof. Freundl, Frank-Herrmann, Prof. Godehardt, Klemm, Bachhofer

Trial of contraceptive effectiveness of LADY-COMP® / BABY-COMP®

Results: User Pearl-Index 0.7.

9. Düsseldorf 1998, Dissertation Bachhofer, Prof. Freundl, Frank-Herrmann, Prof. Godehardt, Klemm

686 women in more than two years use = Pearl-Index 0.7.

Field study in Switzerland, Germany and Mexico.

10. Sassari 1997, Prof. S. Dessole, Fadda, Rosas, Scapinelli, Inaudi, Ambrosini

Test on women sterille for 3 – 8 years. BABY-COMP® compared with clinical testing.

Results: 100% match on luteal deficiency, anovulatiory cycles and pregnancies.

Clinical found 86% Ovulation’s, BABY-COMP® 80%. (Original in English)

11. Birmingham 1997, Prof. Freundl

Test of 686 women over 24 month and 12.213 Cycles. Results: see below 8.

12. Erlangen 1994, Prof. Wildt

Clinical testing and comparison with BABY-COMP®.

Results: perfect match between clinical findings and fertility indications of BABY-COMP®.

13. Fertilität 1992, Nr. 8, Pages 66-67

Clinical testing compared with BABY-COMP® fertility indications.

Results: in no case BABY-COMP® missed the beginning of fertile time,

cycle disturbances were detected and treated right.

14. Amsterdam 1992, Prof. Martinez, v. Hoof, Schoute, v.d. Meer

Clinical Test and research on Hormone- and Temperature shifts.

Results: They do correlate and there is BABY-COMP® that might improve reliability,

acceptability and application of BBT in fertility investigation. (Original in English)

15. Barcelona Congress 1992, Prof. Freundl, Bauer, Bremme, Döring, Frank-Herrmann

Test on fertile women. Compared with clinical testing.

Definition: 6 Days are fertile.

Results: LADY-COMP® found temperature shift in each cycle. Number of fertile days 11.1 +/- 3.

Length of cycles 25-35. No pregnancy on ‘green’ days. (Original in English)

16. Rhodos 1988, Prof. Freundl, Frank-Herrmann, Toncaboni

a) test on preciseness of temperature readings

Results: Temperature readings highly precise p2 0.01.

b) test on prevention compared with clinical testiness.

Results: no unwanted Pregnancies on ‘green’ days.

c) test on planing.

Results: 2 out of 5 conceived already during the test. (Original in English)

The original document can be downloaded here.

Ethical Family Planning, from the drawing board to the web!

At last we have taken Ethical Family Planning off the drawing board and onto the world wide web.

For a long time now we have been talking over a coffee or two about getting an online presence to share with the world our thoughts, experiences and advise about natural family planning and everything it implies.

Also we realise that its not just a one way conversation. The whole topic could be discussed until the end of time with so many different views and opinions out there contributing to our lively, interesting and hopefully enlightening chats and forums.

We're not quite sure where all of this will lead over time but we do know that we have good intentions, lots of ideas and more importantly the desire to share and educate.

Watch this space!