Family Planning

Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health RisksSide EffectsNoneKnown Health BenefitsHelp protect against:ó Risks of pregnancyKnown Health RisksNoneWhy Some Women Say They LikeFertility Awareness MethodsóóóóóHave no side effectsDo not require procedures and usually do not require suppliesHelp women learn about their bodies and fertilityAllow some couples to adhere to their religious or cultural normsabout contraceptionCan be used to identify fertile days by both women who want tobecome pregnant and women who want to avoid pregnancyCorrecting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers, p. 253)Fertility awareness methods:óóóóCan be very effective if used consistently andcorrectly.Do not require literacy or advanced education.Do not harm men who abstain from sex.Do not work when a couple is mistaken aboutwhen the fertile time occurs, such as thinking itoccurs during monthly bleeding.17Fertility Awareness MethodsFertility Awareness Methods for Women With HIVóóWomen who are infected with HIV, have AIDS, or are on antiretroviral(ARV) therapy can safely use fertility awareness methods.Urge these women to use condoms along with fertility awarenessmethods. Used consistently and correctly, condoms help preventtransmission of HIV and other STIs. Condoms also provide extracontraceptive protection for women on ARV therapy.Fertility Awareness Methods241