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*an affiliate of IRH
Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
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Some of the IRH-GU initiated advancements in simplifying NFP are:
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Lactational Amennorhea Method (LAM) for fully breastfeeding mothers, now a program method in many countries including the
Philippines;
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Standard Days Method, now in at least 14 countries throughout the
world;
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TwoDay Method, which is currently undergoing an efficacy trial in several countries. |
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IRH and Natural Family Planning
The Institute for Reproductive Health* is the leading
technical resource and learning center committed to mainstreaming
modern Natural Family Planning in health and development
programs. The institute works in partnership with individuals,
communities and organizations in the public and private sectors
towards empowering couples, increasing their family planning
choices, and improving the well-being of their families. It works
at making modern and effective natural methods available and
accessible to couples nationwide.
IRH views NFP as an education-based approach to family planning following a client-based learning model and includes a component on basic fertility awareness and counseling on couple communication.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) has an important role to play in meeting the reproductive needs of couples.
NFP is not a method in itself, but rather refers to methods used to plan for or prevent a pregnancy based on identifying the woman's fertile and infertile days and the timing of intercourse to achieve their intentions.
IRH efforts in developing and testing newer and simpler NFP
methods are based on biological scientific facts established through
research, such as the probability of pregnancy from intercourse on
days relative to ovulation, a study done by *Wilcox,A.J.et,al,
(1998). Figure 1. Probability of Pregnancy from Intercourse
on Days Relative to Ovulation 
Why
- a new NFP Method?
- There is a big demand for simple natural methods of family
planning
- There is low use of existing natural methods
- There is high use of some kind of periodic abstinence and
withdrawal
- There is low understanding of fertility
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