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Related Experiment Videos

Fertility awareness-based methods for contraception.

D A Grimes1, M F Gallo, V Grigorieva

  • 1Family Health International, P. O. Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. dgrimes@fhi.org

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 21, 2004
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Fertility awareness-based methods (FAB) for contraception have unknown comparative efficacy due to poor study methods and high discontinuation rates. More rigorous research is needed to evaluate these natural family planning options.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Family Planning Research
  • Clinical Trials Methodology

Background:

  • Fertility awareness-based methods (FAB) identify fertile days using signs like cervical secretions and basal body temperature.
  • FAB can be used with abstinence or barrier methods, or alone.
  • Alternative names include natural family planning and periodic abstinence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrieve and analyze all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating FAB for contraception.
  • To assess the efficacy and methodological quality of existing FAB trials.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, POPLINE, EMBASE, LILACS) up to January 2004.
  • Included RCTs in any language comparing FAB with placebo, other methods, or FAB combined with other contraceptives.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessed methodological quality for potential biases, including study design, randomization, blinding, and follow-up.

    • Main Results:

    • Methodological weaknesses prevented determination of pregnancy rates.
    • One trial showed similar pregnancies between ovulation and symptothermal methods; another showed more pregnancies with the ovulation method.
    • High participant discontinuation rates were observed in most trials, with many discontinuing before the observation phase.

    Conclusions:

    • The comparative efficacy of FAB contraception remains undetermined.
    • Premature discontinuation was a significant issue despite intensive support.
    • Emphasizes the need for rigorous RCTs to properly evaluate contraceptive methods before widespread adoption.