Question

I am 37 years old and have an NFP question. I had a last depo-provera shot in July '06 so I have been practicing the sympto-thermal method for 6 months now. I don't believe I have ovulated in that time. (There has been no thermal-shift.) My problem is that, if I understand the rules correctly, in order to not conceive we can only have intercourse in the evening of dry days until I do ovulate. That time of the day is terrible for us. Are there any other options, any other times of day? I have thought about supplementing with a sponge or other method but their drawbacks are that the sponge is only 90% effective and I've read that the other methods interfere with the "reading" of the symptoms that indicate ovulation.
I am still lightly nursing my 3 year old but only for naps and bedtime.

Thank you for any help you may be able to give me.

Sylvia

Answer

Dear Sylvia,

Congratulations on your commitment to Natural Family Planning.

You have a couple things affecting the delay of return to fertility. Whle the levels of medroxyprogesterone acetate from the depoprovera are undetectable in your system by 4-6 months following the last injection, the effect on your body can continue for months beyond that. Most women would have returned to cycles by now, but a significant minority will take longer. You may be in that category.

In addition, you are nursing. Nursing your baby may continue to suppress your estrogen in the pre-ovulatory phase of your cycle, preventing ovulation until you have completely weaned your baby but, how wonderful that you have nursed him into his third year!

The instructions you are following are: end of day, on dry days, until ovulation has passed. Continue to follow this instruction. From your charting you also say you are cycling but not ovulating because you have had no temperature shift. Cyclic patterns can change after a pregnancy and after cycles have returned. Weaning, as you are doing, can be another changing pattern. I would suggest that you have a chart review with your Sympto Thermal teacher or if you are self-taught to find a good teacher in your area and go over the instructions with her about the changing patterns of fertility after a pregnancy.

Your 100% decision to follow a natural method means that there might be times when you will temporarily restrict intercourse and a pregnancy for a short time. These can be tough or strenghtening moments in your marriage. Using a contraceptive at this time does lower the effectiveness and can effect the natural beauty and dignity of the marriage act itself. Abstaining until the infertile days return is a beautiful gift you can give to one another.

Judy Wilmurt

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