Natural family planning vs hormone-free birth control

What is hormone-free birth control?

Hormone-free birth control is a term that refers to a selection of contraceptive methods that do not contain any synthetic hormones. Many of these methods are officially recognized and prescribed by healthcare practitioners and there are some types of hormone-free birth control that are covered by insurance. 

Can birth control without hormones be effective? 

While no method of contraception is ever 100% effective, there are some types of hormone-free birth control that are very effective. Other types of non-hormonal contraception have a lower effectiveness rate. However, keep in mind that while some methods are proven to be more effective than others, how you use a method and what fits best for you and your lifestyle will also play a part in how well that method works for you at preventing pregnancy.

Types of non-hormonal birth control 

Let’s take a look at the specific types of hormone-free birth control and how effective they are:

The copper IUD

Similar to the hormonal IUD also known as the coil, the copper IUD sits inside the uterus. However, instead of releasing hormones, the copper in the device creates a hostile environment for sperm survival whilst also preventing implantation from happening. 

The copper IUD is a highly effective long-acting hormone-free birth control method, once fitted it can stay in the uterus for as long as ten years. It’s more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. 

While the copper IUD is hormone-free, it’s not a form of natural family planning or fertility awareness because of how it works. It’s an invasive method, and although no hormones are involved, copper is released into the uterus, altering the natural environment of the womb. 

Natural family planning

Natural family planning, sometimes referred to as fertility awareness methods (FAMs) are a specific group of contraceptive methods that rely on the user’s understanding of their own fertility indicators to identify when they are at risk of pregnancy. With this knowledge they can choose to abstain from sex (or use another method of protection) during the fertile window. 

How effective natural family planning is, depends on the method you use, for example the Standard Days method (a form of Calendar Method) is 88% effective with typical use and 95% effective with perfect use. 

FAMs are often considered to be labor intensive too, depending on the approach you may need to chart your own body temperature and monitor other indicators such as cervical mucus. On top of this, these methods require a three month monitoring period before they can be used as birth control. If your cycles are very long, short or if they tend to change in length, then you may be advised from trying these birth control methods. 

Natural Cycles

Created in Sweden in 2013, Natural Cycles is a new variation on an older type of fertility awareness method based on body temperature. Instead of recording your own temperature and doing manual calculations, the Natural Cycles app pairs with a measuring device such as a Bluetooth thermometer, Apple Watch or an Oura Ring.

By measuring body temperature, the app’s algorithm learns the pattern of your cycle and calculates your daily fertility status. On Red Days you’re fertile and should either abstain from sex or use protection, on Green Days you’re not fertile and don’t need to use protection. 

93% effective with typical use and 98% effective with perfect use, Natural Cycles is the first app to be FDA Cleared for use as contraception in the US. It is also just as effective with irregular cycles, although you may receive more Red Days. If you want to start a family, the same science can be used to plan a pregnancy, simply change modes in the app and you’re set. 

Natural Cycles is sometimes categorized as natural family planning, although it has a higher effectiveness rate than many of the other methods in this group. It holds a lot of the educational benefits of learning about your body that come from fertility awareness, but the technology behind it removes the human error that often comes with more labor intensive methods. Unlike traditional FAMs, no monitoring period is required and Natural Cycles is effective from day one.

Condoms 

Condoms on their own are not a form of natural family planning, however they are a hormone-free alternative and can be used in conjunction with other natural family planning methods. They are also the only form of birth control out there that can protect against sexually transmitted infections! 

With typical use, condoms are 87% effective and with perfect use they are 98% effective. Read our post on what birth control effectiveness means to understand the differences between typical and perfect use.

Phexxi 

A relatively new birth control that’s available in the US is Phexxi, a form of contraceptive gel that’s inserted into the vagina before sex. While it’s free from hormones, the gel contains chemicals that lower the pH of the vagina so sperm cells can’t survive. 

Phexxi is 86% effective with typical use and 93% with perfect use. Side effects include an increased risk of urinary tract infections and yeast infections. 

Choosing the right birth control method for you

There are so many things to think about when it comes to switching your contraceptive method. Our needs change over time, so it’s not surprising that you may want to change birth control methods several times in your lifetime.

Before changing methods it’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare professional, they should be able to guide you through your full range of options and help you make an informed decision. Before talking to your doctor, you might find it helpful to ask yourself what you’re really looking for, so we've drafted a few questions that may help you start thinking about your needs.

Are you looking for a hormone-free method?

If you’re curious about switching to a natural or non-hormonal method, then it’s worth thinking about the motivation behind this. Did you have a bad experience with side effects on the pill? Have you considered a birth control method without estrogen? Perhaps you’re making the switch for a dietary or environmental reason, whatever your reason it’s a good thing to keep in mind when you talk to your doctor.

Are you looking for a long or short-term solution?

If you want to get pregnant in the near future then getting an implant or IUD fitted might not be the best option for you. However, if you definitely don’t want kids, and want a method that takes very little work from you, then it might be ideal. There are a range of long-term birth control options out there both with and without hormones. 

Do you value having a routine?

If you’re a creature of habit then popping a pill at the same time each day might not be a problem for you. Similarly to use Natural Cycles you need to measure your temperature most days, so it’s good to have a routine. If you don’t want to think about your birth control each day then an option like the birth control shot means you only need to think about your contraception every few months. 

Do you mind taking steps before having sex?

If you sometimes forget to use condoms when having sex, then this might not be the most reliable method for you. There are plenty of methods out there that can protect you before you get intimate - it’s all about finding the right method for you.

Thanks for reading! If you’re weighing up the benefits of choosing a hormone-free birth control method, or are more specifically thinking of trying natural family planning, why not find out if Natural Cycles could work for you?